Go to Earth Magic
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- Go to The Face of Evil
Sadly true.
posted by
Passionflower
on August 9, 2006 at 8:30 AM
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bhaskar
Exactly. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy!
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:34 AM
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Tanga
I must say that I am the same way. If someone dotes a little too much- especially a man- I grow suspicious.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:33 AM
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ms bradock
It is unfortunate that parents cannot spot signs early on, and have the courage to take a stand against the behavior.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:32 AM
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star4u
Thank you very much.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:31 AM
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sannhet
Quite right. Thank you.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:30 AM
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Wiley
I'm not sure if presenting evil in any specific form would eradicate it.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:30 AM
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Azur
Sadly enough, your comment is very accurate. We have become a dependent society. I see this all the time at work.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:29 AM
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Passionflower
Thanks. I read once that pedophiles choose these positions consciously for the liberties they offer. Parents are already trusting of priests, boy scout leaders, etc. Not all are bad, mind you, but their occupations can be a target.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 9, 2006 at 3:28 AM
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Avant, Yes it' true that in teaching children not to trust strangers,
we unknowingly destroy the very trust in their own selves. On the one hand, we think that we are doing our part perfectly, without realizing on the other, and bigger harm that we are causing. Then, like a shadow, the fear chases all their lives and, maybe only accidently, this instinct does ever come back. And I can tell, they are lucky. A great post!
posted by
Bhaskar.ing
on August 9, 2006 at 12:30 AM
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It is so sad
the times have changed to such an extent that adults cannot help children without receiving menacing glances and stares from parents. I am one of those parents and if a stranger makes contact with my children I never let them out of my sight. Sad but true. I wish it was different. Good post
posted by
Tanga
on August 8, 2006 at 11:25 PM
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avant,
This is a great piece. You are so right about teaching children to trust their instincts. In my own case, it was someone known and "trusted" by the family. When one experiences evil the way I did at such a young age, trust does not come easily. It has taken me a very long time to get those instincts back...
Thank you for writing this. Blessings...
posted by
ms_bradrock
on August 8, 2006 at 8:40 PM
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I love this
posted by
star4sky5
on August 8, 2006 at 8:07 PM
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Avant -
Predators are darkness, that's why it is so easy for them to hide in darkness.
posted by
sannhet
on August 8, 2006 at 6:32 PM
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avant-garde
I would instruct children first in developing their gut, to have instincts.
I know with my own 5 children, we talked with them about a lot of possible situations they may face.
Maybe the cost of losing religion is we don't get to present evil as the devil like we used to. Hmmmmm.
Great blog here avant, I'm really kind of thinking out loud. You sure have a way of waking a fella up. 
posted by
WileyJohn
on August 8, 2006 at 5:58 PM
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Avant. It is not only children but mothers and fathers
who are influenced to follow the edicts of others rather than their hearts and gut feelings. I learned this most when my children were babies. There were so many recommended guidelines on what and when to feed the children and I noticed that mothers would go to their doctor to almost ask permission about changing something - ie give their baby solids. The best thing to do is nurture people, give them information so they can make informed choices and to invest in them the skills and confidence to make think and make decisions. Otherwise we do them a disservice because there will be those times that we face in life when there is no one to ask.
Sometimes of course there is someone to ask but they might not have the right answer and we need to be able decide what is right for us and take responsibility for that decision
posted by
Azur
on August 8, 2006 at 4:59 PM
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I like your idea of teaching our kids to trust their gut instinct.
Your right. We shouldn't teach them to trust a uniform or 'symbols' like that.
posted by
Passionflower
on August 8, 2006 at 4:37 PM
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Julia
Exactly. It's what's in the heart.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:56 PM
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Justi
I think we don't give kids credit for knowing when something's not right. We have all these rules, and acceptance is so powerful. I also think that parents know when something's up, but they don't like to think things can happen to their family.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:55 PM
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OFFBEATS
The man was probably in his thirties. I was young- probably 7 or 8. It was what he was doing. He pulled up and rolled down the passenger window, and asked me to get in. He was smiling and said he would give me a ride. His eyes were hollow and insincere. I was immediately afraid.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:52 PM
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Avant Garde
This is an awesome post as yours are. I don't know if we can go back to the point of beginning now. Many parents are the view of evil I am so sorry to say and the child is accustomed to it. I truly wish that were not true but it is. I do know what you are talking about. I had that sense when I was little, I knew the good from the bad.
posted by
Justi
on August 8, 2006 at 2:50 PM
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Avant
I have seen evil. I have felt the evil. It is alive and doing well. It's faces are many. I can't say I would advise my g/children to engage in conversations at any level with anyone. They are too precious to try any theory on although I understand what your saying.. The risk would be too great..
The guy in the woods gave me the creeps! What was it about the old man that made you feel that way?
Good thought provoking post!!
posted by
Offy
on August 8, 2006 at 2:47 PM
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avant--
I think you're right...better to teach them to pay attention to their inner wisdom, because in terms of the capacity to harm us, everyone is equal whether we know them well or not.
posted by
Julia.
on August 8, 2006 at 2:41 PM
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ariel
It is sad. I think it is one of the drawbacks of my job, too: seeing things makes me paranoid, because I know what is out there.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:41 PM
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Blanche
It's hard to put into words. Perhaps, it's more of an energy.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:40 PM
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Moon
Thanks!
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:39 PM
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RAME
Yes, but we can recognize its true face and shed light on it. I think that, more than anything, will help dispel it.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:39 PM
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Rcky
Yes. That is too weird! Thanks for being on the same wavelength.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:38 PM
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Rcky
That was a cool pic you put up there. I've often thought of writing horror. It is hard, but I feel a knack for it.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 8, 2006 at 2:37 PM
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avant
So many of our societies are profoundly sick in this respect. How I rejpoice to live in rural Spain, where young children play in our local town in the twilight!
I recently posted a piece on this subject ; the status of children in Spanish society. Children expect to be kissed and hugged by adults ; even old extranjeros like me!
Life here is a damned sight more natural thanin Bliarland, and I guess America too. How very sad.
posted by
ariel70
on August 8, 2006 at 1:39 PM
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Avant-Garde, sadly, not all evil resides in strangers, so it's probably
wiser to teach your children to trust their instincts. I agree, no intellectual debates about good and evil have ever convinced me of the reality of evil, I had to experience the presence of it, and no one can convince met that it does not exist. My instincts tell me otherwise.
posted by
Blanche.
on August 8, 2006 at 1:27 PM
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Outstanding post, Avant!! MoonSpirit 
posted by
syzygy
on August 8, 2006 at 1:26 PM
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avant garde,
As always, very well said. There is so much evil in the world!
posted by
RAME
on August 8, 2006 at 1:24 PM
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Hahaha Avant....Look at the new blogs page.....
See the synchronicity of our posts! Hmmmmm
posted by
RckyMtnActivist
on August 8, 2006 at 1:11 PM
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YIKES! Avant...Excellent, this is so creepy. And scary because it is true!
We must be thinking alike, Did you see my latest in Art & Photo.? You inspired me with these creepy stories LOL Uh, thanks! 
posted by
RckyMtnActivist
on August 8, 2006 at 1:09 PM
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