From Moses at the Burning Bush, to entering a mosque today, removing shoes signifies putting away worldly things in the presence of God. Going shoeless in many climates and terrains makes one more vulnerable if danger suddenly appears. Removing shoes, then, is a sign of humility and faith.
When entering homes in many cultures around the world, removing shoes is a sign of courtesy: the sandals may be dusty; the snow boots may be wet. Courtesy is a form of respect, which itself is a form of humility, especially if one prefers to wear shoes but takes them off anyway.
The TSA checkpoint is a grotesque parody of these honorable religious and social practices: shoe removal isn't humility, it's humiliation It's not a sign of respect, but of being coerced. It's not an act of faith, but of fear.
Taking off one's shoes at the TSA checkpoint may not be a big deal to you (although, like everything the TSA does, it slows everything down). But I believe there's a subtle message intended to seep into our consciousness: humble thyself before thy government.
Also since the time of Moses, the giving of tithes and offerings has been a respected spiritual practice. While it might be a racket in some quarters, (personally, I've never met a rich member of the clergy), giving a tithe - 10% - is an act of faith when giving willingly and cheerfully.
Likewise, it is often customary for overnight guests at a home to leave a gift for the host, and for guests at a party to bring food or beverages to share. And we tip all kinds of service workers.
Because the recipients will consume or spend your gifts, tips, and tithes, these aren't really "sacrifices." But who knows what you will sacrifice at the TSA checkpoint. On her latest podcast (ep 170), comedian Karen Rontowski says food for her companion dog was nearly confiscated by the TSA; a supervisor was called, who made a judgment call that "let" her keep the food.
Rontowski also mentions that Julie Kidd was randomly flagged at the Seattle airport for a pat-down. Kidd was told this will include a female agent putting her hand down Kidd's buttrcrack. They went to a private room. The process was very upsetting to Kidd and she cried.
And for what? It's been known for years that the purpose of the TSA isn't to protect us, but to put on a show of protecting us.
But I suspect even "security theater" isn't the real purpose. I'm reminded of what Jason Louv said on the Duncan Trussell Family Hour months ago (ep 417, 77:00 mark): 9/11 was used as a pretext for, among other things, sexual molestation at airports. The long-lasting, traumatic psychological effects of that are intentional.
I suspect TSA policies exist to break our spirit. The shoe removal, the taking of personal belongings and throwing them into the garbage right in front of us, the invasive pat-downs are intended to make us feel weak and helpless. If we become accustomed to being victimized, we might come to think of it as normal. We may ourselves be willing to take a government job and victimize others.
TSA screenings, then, are a form of ritual abuse, and I can see why some conspiracy theorists believe the Bushes, Obama, Trump, and Biden are all Satanists. They've presided over the systematic humiliation of the American people, which is evil indeed. TSA methods aren't the only indignities we face, but are among the most visible.
While the ritual abuse is real - it's right in front of us - it's questionable whether to call it Satanic. If "Satanic" is merely a catch-all word for anything evil, then it's accurate. On the other hand, I doubt open, self-proclaimed Satanists would ever implement something like the TSA; unlike the nominally Christian Presidents who created and administered the TSA, I'd more likely trust avowed Satanists to protect individual rights.
I don't know when or how the TSA will be reformed or abolished. I can only say this:
It's best for both body and spirit to be free, but of the two, I'd rather keep my spirit free. If a nation is unjust, it's better to be a prisoner than a prison guard. And while I wouldn't want to be molested or wish that on anyone, it is the molester, the one who's "only following orders" whose spirit has already been crushed.
We can avoid that fate if we recognize oppression for what it is. Even if we submit and comply so we can live another day, we don't have to surrender; we don't have to get accustomed to the oppression.
We can refuse to do to others what is being done to us.
That's freedom.
James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you enjoy his articles, subscribe and exchange value for value. You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com. Permission to reprint is granted with attribution.
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