Protestantism

» Migisi - So Many Worlds of Pretense

In response to So Many Worlds of Pretense posted by BrianTubbs:
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Setting aside the implication that Bible-believers are akin to make-believe pretenders....
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Some are, and you likely have met some yourself.
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I too enjoy festivals and re-enactments. My husband and I dress and lecture as Royal Falconers when invited to participate in Ren Fairs, and also for Literature/History classes in schools.

-- posted by Migisi

» pink101 - So Many Worlds of Pretense

In response to So Many Worlds of Pretense posted by Migisi:
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You might know that hypnosis is a form of pretending. Maybe you don't know that; but, it is true.
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-- posted by pink101

» Migisi - So Many Worlds of Pretense

In response to So Many Worlds of Pretense posted by pink101:

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You might know that hypnosis is a form of pretending.
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How so? Pretending to be hypnotized?

-- posted by Migisi

» paper_turtle - So Many Worlds of Pretense

In response to So Many Worlds of Pretense posted by pink101:

We ALL have prejudices, blind spots, and illusions. We all perceive some things as real which others might perceive as illusions. The person who claims to see all things with total objectivity is fooling him-/herself.
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Many of the things we value most highly are intamgibles--truth, justice, peace, freedom. We cannot prove them. We cannot even adequately define them, and yet they form the basis for our dreams and aspirations.
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With all due respect, I wonder just how much good it does to place so much focus on what others are doing wrong, instead of thinking about what we might do to make things better. As long as most of our energy is directed to talking about what is wrong, we have little energy left over to talk about what might be, and how we might help the process along.
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If we did not have the imagination to create Santa and the Easter Bunny, we would not have the imagination to draft a constitution, or build a rocket to travel to the moon, or even communicate here on the 'net. Martin Luther King would not have had his dream. Imagination is not the problem; humankind's ego is--the source of envy, hatred, fear, and oppression.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - So Many Worlds of Pretense

In response to So Many Worlds of Pretense posted by Migisi:
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The process that ends up in hypnosis begins with the subject imagining that something is true--that is a pretense.
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For example, here is an opening statement that an operator might make:
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"I want you to think of these things as though they were actually happening. Just imagine yourself lying on a warm sunny beach...."
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And, off we go.
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:~)
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - So Many Worlds of Pretense

In response to So Many Worlds of Pretense posted by paper_turtle:
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You are soooo right, Sister, sooo right.
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It can be used for good and for bad.
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-- posted by pink101

» pink101 - For Good or For Bad

In response to So Many Worlds of Pretense posted by pink101:
You are soooo right, Sister, sooo right.
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The mental process of pretending can be used for good or for bad; but, it is pretense.
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It's part of the package that includes hope, justice, freedom, etc., just as you say.
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Don't we call that Yankee ingenuity.
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-- posted by pink101

» paper_turtle - Yankee Ingenuity

In response to For Good or For Bad posted by pink101:

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means finding how to repair a tractor with duct tape and bailing twine.

Its about taking what you've got, and using it for some purpose beyond its original one, rather than throwing something out and getting a new one.

Its about looking at what some might call a difficulty and seeing is as an opportunity.

It works with ideas and people as well as tangible objects.

peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» paper_turtle - Pretense

In response to For Good or For Bad posted by pink101:

The mental process of pretending can be used for good or for bad; but, it is pretense.
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Yes, but I think framing your concept in this way puts a negative spin on things which doesn't need to be there. Pretense implies that someone is putting something over on another. Imagination implies that someone is thinking of things which don't yet exist, but could.
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Further, saying that someone else is engaging in pretense ignores the fact that we all have biases, delusions, and false perceptions. What seems real to you might seem illusory to me, and vice-versa.
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peace and love,
Paper Turtle

-- posted by paper_turtle

» pink101 - Pretense

In response to Pretense posted by paper_turtle:
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So, here comes the Yankee in me. :~)
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I think about my present condition and that doesn't make me feel so great. I IMAGINE my condition being much more satisfying. Therefor, I begin to create an improved image of my self. So, I go to work on it and before you know it, my present condition is great.
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How does that work? It starts our with imagination--as you say.
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I think the ancients ran into situations where things were dour. They wanted the situation to improve; but, had no idea on how to accomplish such. The imagined there was some force that could help them.
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The rest is history and prayers were invented. We all do it whether we will admit it or not.
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-- posted by pink101