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A Halfling’s View's avatar

I must say that I have never encountered opprobrium for failing to include a pronoun of any sort after any signature I have placed on anything. Clearly I move in the wrong circles.

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Simon O'Connor's avatar

you are one of the lucky ones. Many in the likes of public service are not so fortunate as pressure from HR and peers pushes in to conform - put in the pronouns, wear the lanyard, attend the activist event ...

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A Halfling’s View's avatar

And in addition do the karakia to an animistic spirit. I was in a flavour of the public service once upon a time.

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Simon O'Connor's avatar

oh yes, we can't forget that while simultaneously saying we are a secular nation. All very confusing. And as you also know, you can be flavour of the month one moment then out on the periphery the next.

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Mary's avatar

My son got in trouble at school in the health class for stating " I don't believe in this stuff, my name is Eli, I look like a boy so go figure" when he was asked to introduce his pronouns. He got in serious trouble too

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Mary's avatar

Hi Simon, a few thoughts about the pronouns class. There is a direct correlation in numbers between autism and gender confused. When you look in to often contradictory behaviours and frustrations, obsessions, anger etc of people on autism spectrum in with explain the intensity of it entirely. No ones fault, just hard work. That lack of empathy towards heartfelt situations like war is also explained by autism. Then again the contradictory behaviours of autism will argue one is an empath etc and the battle goes on forever. People with compassion and neurotypical brains will often have a heart for a situation but may have ego attached to one side or the other, these people can see the other side if they are willing to see from other perspectives. Autism can not see from other perspectives and show empathy for the other side when it matters. Neurotypical people can show understanding when autism comes up so as to not argue and bang heads with the neuro divergent side. As try as we will, forever we will never get the same response of understanding the other perspective and showing empathy and growing with compassion. Sadly one side gets a get out of jail free card so to speak and will always find fault with the other side. It is extremely hard on both sides for different frustrations and it is impossible to reach a resolve. The question is why is autism numbers so high???????? That's the real question. Sincerely, Mary

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Simon O'Connor's avatar

Thanks Mary and yes, the autistic aspect is important to note. It also raises a wider question around how gender care is, in effect, targeting them. In relation to the Substack though, there is always the empathetic approach and as you say, trying to understand each side. I think the pronoun class only want empathy (support) but unwilling to show any in return ie. they will report people to HR etc I think too, my thoughts are more directed at the activists forcing their views on people, and not those who just think 'being kind' is the right response to people's pronoun requests. And yes, what causes autism is the big question!!

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Mary's avatar

It is usually only those neuro divergent people who will argue my point and the overall logic of facts, neuro typical minds will read up on autism behaviours (from more than one source) and see it makes logical explaination in regards to generalised societal behaviours. It is not a judgement on autism, it simply just is what wr are dealing with mostly.

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Just Boris's avatar

Well written Simon and bravo for your defence of Israel. 🇮🇱 Embraced intersectionalism by your ‘pronoun class’ is a sad reality and regrettably the cluster of ‘popular’ left wing victimhood-drivers has grown. ‘By their twisted causes shall they be known’ indeed! They appear unashamed by their ignorance and wilful destruction of beauty.

ps I never misgender anyone. Sometimes they misgender themselves however, and I just refuse to play along…

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Simon O'Connor's avatar

Like you, I don't try and misgender (even this I would argue is a false construct) as a courtesy. I just use a person's name of their choosing. I think we can always remain polite and civil, but also hold to our principles i.e. I'm not playing these games

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Just Boris's avatar

I’m not as nice as you tbh. If I’m forced to be nice to trans lunatics (for they are actually completely deluded) in a professional capacity, I’ll cowardly just avoid pronouns and use their name too. But outside work, I won’t care how offended they are. I can’t lie and pretend people can change their sex. Just like I can’t participate in Maori blessings or tapu lifting nonsense. That’s my BORA religious freedom right there.

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Stephen's avatar

"The night is darkest before the dawn"!

The 'madness & tyranny' will end, as Robespierre's reign of terror came to an end!

With the truth, & understanding how Satan is manipulating people through his 'word', then we are empowered to fight back against this '1984' type brainwashing!

It requires people to have courage, & stand up against the 'tyranny of thought & political correctness'! Dan 11:32

Here is our most fundamental problem, people don't know God, & have been 'flattered & seduced' by 'clever & artful words', so we lack the insight & power to fight back! Heb 5:11-14

But that is changing, people are finding that courage NOW, & President Trump & MAGA's influence can not be overstated for bringing about that change!

If God's worldview expressed through the Judeo-Christian tradition is not upheld, taught, demonstrated, everyone will suffer! Mt 28:18-20, Dan 7:27

Jesus said to 'disciple-govern nations', & teach the people to OBEY his commandments! Mt 28:18-20, Dan 7:27

We did not understand Jesus' words & therefore we have gone off 'half-cock'!

The task is not 'finished as we don't have even the beginnings of God's Kingdom, one nation under God! Mt 6:33, Mt 6:9-10, Hag 1:12-15, Lk 12:49

That is what is meant by DOING God's Will! Mt 7:21-23, Lk 8:21, Rev 20:12, Mt 6:9-10

The Body of Christ must unite as Jesus prayed, Jn 17:20-23 & as Ezekiel prophesied! Ezek 37:7-10

Then as an 'exceedingly great host/army' united in purpose, we can then defeat Satan's side!

As Jesus said, Mt 12:30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters".

Christians have a responsibility to 'pick up their cross' & follow Jesus into the battlefield, to the frontline! Mt 10:38-39

Cowards & the faithless go to hell! Rev 21:8, Mt 8:10-12, Mt 25:24-30, Rev 3:15-17

God's people need to work this out, & a strategy to take back NZ!

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Stephen's avatar

Atheism is a religion with all its own Levitical laws, rites & liturgy!

We are in a war between God's Word & Satan's word!

The 'pronoun class' are those worshipping themselves, hence the preoccupation with pronouns!

"You shall have no other gods before me nor make & worship idols"!

The Left are the Canaanite & Philistine culture of today, always trying to impose their culture on others by force, intimidation, crying discrimination & being victims!

They are a stain on humanity & need a good dose of Napisan to clean them up!

The 'truth' serves that purpose! Christians need to be well versed in the Bible, history & science to defeat their 'falsology'!

Then the politicians on the right especially need to be educated to understand how forces are at work to undermine our Liberal Western Parliamentary Democracies, their attack on Christianity, & all the legislation inspired by those teachings!

Satan is attacking the individual, the family & the existence of an equanimous cohesive society centring on God, & living for the sake of others - Love Thy neighbour!

In other words the Left are dismantling the 'Two Great Commandments' to make one - 'Love Thyself' - exclusively!

'Pronouns' in this sense creates 'division, disorder, disunity, distemper', & pits people against one another by virtue of the innate selfishness of this viewpoint!

Again this is all the handiwork of Satan inspiring people to oppose God, His Word & His Will; the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven!

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Just Boris's avatar

Your comments re Christians (and anyone else with half a brain) needing to be versed in Bible, history & science are well received, but your obsession with Satan & evil personified falls rather short ontologically. Just quietly, it’s not ‘him’ causing all the problem. Sadly, being created as free creatures has its inherent perils.

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Stephen's avatar

If you read the Genesis account of the Fall you will understand that Satan the fallen Archangel Lucifer 'masterminded' the 'Fall of Man' by tempting God's children to disobey God's Word by promoting his word, 'grooming' God's children to go against their Father, the 'parental authority' - that is also playing out in spades in our society & world around us today!

Satan is a 'spiritual reality' influencing humankind to go against God's Will & commit crimes against heaven!

As much as we have 'free will', as in the Garden, we are continually influenced by the 'culture' Satan has established through manipulating fallen man to do his will, inclusive of Christians through the sin of omission & commission! Mt 25:24-30, Rev 3:1-3

Ignorance of God's Will is also a sin! Dan 11:32, Rom 1:20

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