jb says: Hi Trevor. Sounds like you just saw a crack of light.

There are many layers to being ostracised.
I had selfishly recalled my own situation which now seems mild in comparison.

I agree with your post in a different context.
To me, it is the thought of any robotic religion, that offers a complete delusion of the senses.

It commands one’s sanity to embrace ritual, tradition, superstition & folklore until the human spirit is tied up in a series of complicated knots from where it may never break free – metaphorically speaking. Everything else is then judged from each individual’s own assortment of complications.

I am of the belief that the universe should be explored for its wonder, glory & possibilities.
It can be done but only if someone wants to.

I broke free from traditional mindsets from where I was brought up, easily enough through the willingness to keep an open mind but mostly through books and travel.

One’s perception immediately claims change and seeks an independent self-contained thought.

In modern Asia today, where religion of every imagery still rules like an iron rod, the independent thinker who would dare suggest the above is immediately declared a misfit.

with regards

jb says: Hi Susan. I don’t think your remarks only apply to modern Asia, but to everywhere in the world and probably to all the ages our ‘civilizations’ have passed through. When was it ever otherwise that those who went against the prevailing orthodoxy were not immediately branded heretic and outcast? This sometimes takes the form of loss of life, other times an existential death is prescribed, but in one way or another the representatives of the orthodoxy have always marginalize an independent thinker.