Stop Damning or Deifying Yourself or Anyone
Raised under the religious tenets of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Churches of Christ faiths (respectively), my beliefs were conflicted when later identifying as religiously agnostic and listening to the album Blasphemy (2014) by lyricist Ras Kass and producer Apollo Brown.
After all, I was taught that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit was the only unforgivable sin, per Matthew 12:31. Nevertheless, given my agnostic worldview by the time Blasphemy was released, I reasoned that neither Ras Kass nor Apollo Brown blasphemed against the Spirit.
Therefore, damning (bringing damnation—causing or leading to condemnation or ruin) the artists for alleged wrongdoing in regard to deifying (making a god of, or taking as an object of worship) or allusion thereunto wasn’t a matter of concern to me. I simply cherished the album!
As an example, the track “How to Kill God”, containing a sample of Lee Dorsey’s song “Get Out of My Life, Woman” (1965) and other unidentified samples, wasn’t necessarily antithetical to the teachings of Jesus. Rather, Ras Kass eloquently critiqued hypocritical acts of Christianity.
He stated, “Why Christians end prayers and say ‘Amen’ when that’s the Egyptian sun god, Amun-Ra? Ain’t that a sin to say? And ain’t that pagan? And ain’t ‘pagan’ meanin’ ‘Satan’? And if Satan gave mankind liberation, his worship of knowledge would tip all Revelation.”
This example heavily aligns with foundational beliefs of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who consider themselves to be a branch of Christianity. Ergo, I reasoned that tracks on Blasphemy weren’t actually blasphemous, even if they were intentionally provocative.
Now, as Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) was formed by the late psychologist Albert Ellis, who reportedly developed the first cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) psychotherapeutic modality in 1955, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding his book, Ask Albert Ellis?: Straight Answers and Sound Advice from America’s Best-Known Psychologist.
Long since having practiced religious beliefs, I now contemplate perspectives which are rational (in accordance with both logic and reason). As an example, I invite you to consider that Ellis stated (pages 18 and 19):
REBT favors your deciding on definite goals, purposes, and values – which you inevitably have to do in order to remain alive and reasonably satisfied with your life. But it tries to help you to refuse to make global, overgeneralized ratings of yourself or personhood, of other people’s self or personhood, and of the world and its whole existence or essence. If you work at refusing to overgeneralize, you will tend to stop damning or deifying yourself or anyone – and will only rate your and their doings. Try it!
As per Ellis’ guidance, I invite you to stop damning or deifying yourself or anyone else. This includes lyricists and music producers whose artistic endeavors with which you may disagree, or even someone who posts poorly written blogposts which virtually no one will ever read!
If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s foremost hip hop-influenced REBT psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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