“You Ain’t All That” – Get Off the High Ground
Doctrine Holders always seek to occupy the moral high ground: to judge and control every interpersonal situation; even among themselves. Since they consider their Doctrine to be everything; and their Doctrine is always right: every contrary fact or assertion is either excusable, or a lying attack.
You can’t change their minds — but here are a few tips and techniques that can wipe the attitude off their faces:
WARNING: Strong opposition may flip their switch from “Smug Superiority” to “Doctrinal Hatred.”
Useful Tip:
Don’t let yourself be “questioned” — they will always try to put you on the defensive by assuming a mantle of unassailable self-righteousness and force you into the position of justifying everything [your facts, your beliefs . . . your existence . . . everything.] They will answer a question with a question – in an attempt to put themselves back in charge as the questioner.
Another Warning: They don’t want to erase God; the want to replace God: Their “Holier than God” façade is affronted by humor, ridicule, or anything that diminishes it to human or fallible dimensions: You may be verbally or physically assaulted as a result.
Useful Tips:
You can undercut the ground [but not the attitude] by pointing out their hypocrisy: such as the sexist use of coupling of “men” and Ladies” in conversation; putting women at a higher politeness level — you won’t get an apology or an admission; only a justification, or just plain anger.
Change their race and gender loaded statements to an “everybody” question; such as “Doesn’t everybody . . .” or “Don’t all politicians . . .” — using this distancing trick they employ themselves is a frustrating experience for them.
Their beliefs and actions conflict with those of every revered figure of human compassion and worth: quote from these people [and withhold the source until after they respond.] Say: “I live by the beliefs of these people; whose beliefs do you live by?” If they claim that they do agree with those quotes; have a petition for them to sign.
They have “dirty hands” — expose them. Should someone who promotes and benefits from a policy of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, and national origin; that is carried out in secret, and there are no plans for ever stopping; be lecturing you? If there was nothing to hide; it wouldn’t be secret. “It’s your actions that define you.”
Throw in traditional sayings like “Mad dogs only see straight lines” or “The path is made by walking” or “We tell them it is a bull, they say milk it”: they’re powerful adjuncts.
Ask them to “show the love and compassion” in their Doctrine. “It’s your actions that define you.” [You can’t say this enough times. Their actions of promoting discrimination; in order to end discrimination is very tough to defend; even if it’s true – and especially if they benefit from it.]
Take them at their word; and go a step or two further:
Argue for complete equality in all things; and full disclosure and full transparency in all social programs. Approach them with a petition for restructured social programs based solely on need; without any other criteria. [Signing a petition is a commitment that goes beyond lip service — you may see an immediate change in attitude.]
Argue that welfare fraud, tax fraud, and Medicare fraud penalties and recoveries should be used to fund social programs; and that these criminal acts take from the needy, and these sources should be pursued vigorously. Funding for social programs would also come from the repayment of student loans; and steps should be taken to insure recovery of that money as well.
Their “equality” is only a tool for monetary, emotional, and political gain: an unqualified equality that can’t be manipulated really scares them.
If they lose one “high-ground”; they simply run for another.
Tricking the “trickster” is always satisfying. Recognizing their tricks is an important first step. Here are a few that you may already have encountered:
Trick: “Righteousness Appropriation” — they will go to great lengths and grab at any material that bolsters their self-righteous attitude. Their sources are usually one-dimensional and questionable — so question them: If you’re told of a study that shows men have a gender bias in hiring; ask for the results of women’s gender hiring practices. And if you’re told there’s no such study; wouldn’t that be proof of an intentional gender bias?
Trick: “Princess and the Pea” — their self-sensitivity is legendary: Even the littlest non-conforming phrase or gesture is blown up into a major issue. Be just as touchy in your interpretation of their words and actions. Don’t accept any excuses; they don’t.
Trick: They control both sides of the argument: you can’t have your own opinions or beliefs – you can only have the opinions and beliefs that they say you have. Don’t waste your time: give them a couple of hand puppets.
Trick: The “Sinking Ship” – when there’s a problem; they claim they’re not in agreement with the policies, statements, and people that they have supported and have voted for: This is supposed to remove their accountability. They always keep one foot in the lifeboat.
Trick: The “Getaway” — If your points hit too close to home; they’re somewhere else instantly — another city, another state, and of course; another policy or perpetrator. And if you pursue your points: the Getaway becomes “Get away.”
The “Fallback Defense” — “It’s all a plot by their political opponents.” The fallback, fallback defense: you’re part of that plot.
Trick: The “Accusation” — they are always ready to shout “racist,” sexist,” and “Nazi” at those who disagree with them; and yet their own actions and brutish “end justifies the means” mentality make them a far better fit for the part.
Trick: “Generalizing”— if confronted with difficult specifics; they generalize it to distance themselves: “That’s a problem everywhere,” or “all politicians” are like that.
Trick: “Owed” — someone is “owed” something because they decided it. It’s what the Devil whispers in your ear.
Other tricks include: claiming “we’re all in this together” while distributing the burdens and benefits on the basis of gender and race, coining new terms to cover old sins [Equal Opportunity = legalized bigotry], and leveraging respect through selective labeling [“African American” and “white”].
Remember: This isn’t really a debate — you’re attacking their secular religion. If they meet you halfway; it’s only because they expect to take the other half later:
One Thought, One Taught • One Voice, One Choice
Doctrine is everything.