In Reply to: Re: Even frogs have more sense posted by jo on November 19, 2003 at 11:26:04:
Jo, you make excellent points about victimization of FGA through deceit & manipulation, Stockholm syndrome (coersion & control), etc. Nevertheless, I'm not sure I agree with the position that "not every FGA owes a collective second generation amends."
I guess it depends on what is meant by "amends." For me, that term means taking responsibility for what I can do differently now that I was unable to do as a 20-year-old under the control of TF. For example, I have a clear memory of watching a toddler being "broken" (physically and psychologically abused) by his mother under the direction of the colony shepherdess in 1973. At the time, I recognized something was wrong (my conscious was troubled), but I didn't know enough to label it "abuse" or notify child protective services.
Today I make my amends to that particular child (and collectively to 2nd Gen) by speaking out and doing everything I can to advocate for children's rights. Another way I make my amends is by listening to SGA rage without countering it with my own rage as a victim. Listening to SGA rage and offering that energy up to an infinitely loving & merciful Higher Power may be a meaningless activity to those who do not believe in the healing energy of prayer & meditation, but it is my way of taking responsibility for things I can do differently now. It's also my way of finding reconciliation for my participation in the collective human condition called "sin."