Additionally, China's Road and Belt Initiative (BRI) has been underway since 2013. This is described generically as a "global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government ...involving infrastructure development and investments in nearly 70 countries and international organizations." Aka "the New Silk Road." And there are some very fishy problems with it. Without getting into this too deeply, suffice it to say that a legitimate claim is being made that the purpose of this initiative is for China to gain total control of critical port cities in those 70 countries and beyond.
I felt that China is trying to destroy democracies and install dictators. However, I feel that China will eventually change leaders, yet not sure if a female takes over.
@cc21, I was also raised Catholic but no longer practice. My sister, on the other hand, doesn't agree with some of the dogma of Catholicism but finds spiritual comfort and peace being part of that community. If you'd find it helpful, I'd be happy to share with you my experiences. In my view it's important to question all of it, no matter what you ultimately decide in the end.
Sorry for digressing from "The Great Unraveling..." topic!
I've avoided this conversation. Attended Catholic church and school for 12 years in the Midwest.
Sexually abused by priests. Have very few positive things to say about the experience.
If you watch the Netflix series on Epstein you will learn that on his plane he had hidden recording. If I recall, he lend his plane out to his rich and powerful friends. He must of had a lot of blackmail info. This is a good documentary because you hear his victims speak. He was a very sick and disgusting man who stole and plundered his way to riches.
Re: China's Beltway & Road Initiative -
Remember, China is very good at something the US is not: very long term planning.
They are not only looking to control as many shipping ports as possible, they also leverage the development of infrastructure in developing countries (see Africa and S. America for several examples). By leverage, they do a combo of putting the government of such countries in debt to them, and the way it gets paid back is that most of the countries agree to let the Chinese gather all the resources - whether mineral, petroleum, or natural. They also create a sociological debt - "Look what good were doing for your country" - while downplaying the racism, colonialization, and eco-harm they are engaging in.
I am very sorry to hear that, @lawrence. It hurts the core of my being. And it enrages me. That church has created so much physical and psychological trauma, and to this day still hasn't fully acknowledged it.
I am grateful you survived that trauma to become the wise, creative and loving man you are today. Thank you for sharing your many gifts with us, my friend.
I watched it, along with the recent Investigation Discovery series on him. Both have things to recommend them (and many of the same people being interviewed in each), but Netflix's doc was more focused on his victims and their lives.
What I found frustrating was how much both of them left out. This story shouldn't be made snackable and bite-sized so that it's more likely to be consumed; it should be told with a view to its full scope. It matters so very much.
I know you didn't tell us that because you need our sympathy (you seem quite resilient) but my heart goes out to you and I want you to know it. ?
As a child, I was regularly and repeatedly abused by Southern Baptist clergy. It isn't the same—no one else possesses the power or the longstanding hierarchical structure designed to protect abusers that the Catholic Church does. But Baptist preachers might as well have been popes in my small Mississippi community; no one (from there) ever believed me. And they never will.
When we experience that kind of betrayal by our spiritual leaders, it strips us of much more than our innocence; it eviscerates our faith. Mine was stolen from me at a young age, when I needed it most (clergy weren't my only abusers).
It took me decades, but I found it again—or remade it from new substance. Of course, what I call faith isn't rooted in organized religion but I was able to make peace with some of the things one finds there. And I'm grateful for any sort of peace, wherever I can find it.
Yes, not looking for sympathy but thank you for the compassion.
I wasn't able to speak about it to my family at the time. They probably wouldn't have believed it.
The students all knew about the priests and the nuns in school. The pretense was stunning. As a sensitive child, it was overwhelming at the time.
My partner's family are Catholic, Republican and think of themselves as very morally superior. Their ignorance and fear is stunning. It is so infuriating to deal with them. I avoid them as much as possible.
Thankfully, my family are much more sophisticated, traveled and loving.
@lawrence Sending my love to you, Lawrence. We are lucky you come here. I feel your strength and now I know more of what you have been through. I always feel stronger after reading your posts.