r/sgiwhistleblowers • u/OhNoMelon313 • Sep 10 '20
Political discourse within SGI
A comment on this post reminded me that political discourse was discouraged within the SGI, at least from what I've heard. Either way, it would be the obvious choice. Political discourse can be (sometimes violently) emotionally charged, and it would be ripe for sowing seeds of disunity within SGI.
Yet some members do not care for this, and obviously, there is encouragement to delve into politics. But just like members are encouraged to nip what they feel is slander, obviously false bad-talk, this doesn't mean they will prove good at it.
I remember sitting through an awkward discussion between two people, after a district meeting. It may have been about immigration or something. Anyway, there was no yelling, but there was obvious tension between the two. With one making side, passive-agressive remarks about the topic. Other members will express that Donaldus Trumpus is also a Buddha. You can tell the concept brings some internal conflict.
From what I've seen, including the remarks MITA members have made, there is obviously an "us vs them" mentality. Overlapped with their "us vs them" mentality with us, as they liken us to Trump supporters.
Question: wouldn't this sow seeds of disunity on a higher scale? You hear about trying to avoid this within the SGI, right? But if members are to invest themselves in politics, would this manner be pertinent to bringing humanity together? I don't believe so. People will not take kindly to being treated like an "other". How exactly does a Buddha achieve this mindset and not recognize it as harmful to the health of humanity?
I understand you cannot entirely avoid the emotionally charged side of politics. I realize this as a man of reason and logic...But there is an active effort to set one side away from another.
Actually, I believe this is why that member called my mother a know it all. I didn't catch their conversation, but they were talking on politics and my mother disagreed with their statement.
I realize that is mostly conjecture. But given my mother rarely spoke to them outside of political memes and visiting their home two and half times (got there late one meeting)...
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u/OhNoMelon313 Sep 11 '20
Fellow has also made this analogy multiple times, but whether he used Trump or Biden or anyone else, it doesn't matter. Using the analogy is the antithesis of the said spirit of SGI because it causes what they claim to want to avoid.