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February 2009 
Identity
Posted on Feb 13th, 2009
by 
Alex
Alex
I think identity is a thing of the past. I'm more interested in who (not what) a person is. But many people cling to and find illusionary security in some imagined national, religious, racial, class, caste or neighborhood belonging.
We only belong to ourselves. Anything else is from the devil used for exploitation by unethical personalities.
It's only indiviual identity that matters and that one is particularly hard to define. Maybe that's why many people prefer to adopt a ready made prefabricated one.
We only belong to ourselves. Anything else is from the devil used for exploitation by unethical personalities.
It's only indiviual identity that matters and that one is particularly hard to define. Maybe that's why many people prefer to adopt a ready made prefabricated one.
Access: Public
Wow. Either I completely misunderstand or I couldn’t disagree more. Humans are social beings. While some may find false security in what you mention, others find riches. A feeling of wanting to belong to someone/group/religion–whatever, is not wrong in and of itself, but is perfectly normal human behavior. It’s what ties us to our past, how we go about explaining our individual identies to others.
We only belong to ourselves? Really? Of what use are we then?
I’m curious to hear more on what prompted your thoughts, more explanation as to what you mean, or if I totally misunderstood.
no I think illusions about national, racial, religious identity are wrong.
What prompted this post was a profile of a blogger which said: I am a Filipina, living in the US, mother and wife. I was baffled. Reading her blog you’ll find that she is actually an very intelligent, passionate an insightful person. I remember how when I was a kid I overhear a teacher praising a friend of mine:
“He’s an excellent student, accomplished sportsman …” said the teacher (which by the way was true),
“Wait!” said my friend’s father. “I’m not interested in what kind of student or sportsman my son is but what kind of human being he is.”
Personal disclaimer:
I come from the Balkans where a question about your national and/or religions or political identity can get you into trouble or even killed. That’s why it’s ofteh considered inappropriate.
Still i think diversity is the most precious quality of humankind and that’s why defining or defining us as black or white, Serbs or Bulgarians, believers or atheists doesn’t give credit to the uniqueness and beauty of the individual.
It looks though that identity and belonging is important for you. Can you tell me why.
(If i am in need and come knocking at your door I would be very grateful if you help me first and ask me who I am next. I promise to do the same for you except for I may not even ask who you are but then again I might be wrong.)
Thank you for responding, Alex. I’ve only a few minutes before I have to get back to work, so I will probably return tonight to comment further.
First, as I suspected, I did in some ways misunderstand your earlier comments. I agree with everything you said above. I believe my inerpretation of what you call identifying I call labeling. Labeling is used all the time to separate, discriminate, breed hate, and to justify doing wrong to others who “do not belong.”
You paragraph beginning “diversity being the most precious quality of humankind,” etc., I also agree with. It is beautiful, what you said.
Still, I stand by my statements above. I do not believe there is anything wrong with wanting to belong to a group that shares common beliefs, customs, heritage, goals, etc.
I will return to answer your question and comment further.
Again, thank you for your response!
Zoe
I meant to ask you. I still am not sure that I understand what you mean by “we only belong to ourselves.” Can you explain to me further what you mean by this?
There is a beautiful song by Elton John: Sacrifice where he sings It’s no sacrifice at all… It’s the best love song I’ve ever heard. Love might bring you pain but don’t confuse it with sacrifice, it’s not sacrifice, you’re in it not for anyone’s benefit but your own. It’s all about you. And it’s your responsibility. Yes it affects others but we can live together, love each other and work together towards common goals only if we know exactly what we want for ourselves, if we value ourselves with all the self-worth we are entitled too and it’s a lot because God created us in their image. No less. So if I have this precious gift from God and if I honor God I cant give it to someone else. It belongs to me it was given to me and me only and it’s unique. And if you don’t believe in God feel free to substitute God for Nature it’s just the same.
Ah…it’s been an interesting evening. I’ve tried repeatedy to get to addressing that last question–I’ve typed a full page, which I will preserve. I was in the midst of writing yet again when this post arrived…I’ve had several interruptions tonight, mostly my daughter and her friends.
You’ve taken the wind out of my sails…in a very good way. I love listening to Elton John, and yes…it may be pain, but do not confuse it with sacrifice. It’s hard to say when we ever truly sacrifice, isn’t it?
It is a gift from God–yes…we are unique and precious.
I apologize…I have uninvited company. I have to go. I will return.
Zoe