[Written in 2004.]

Our culture celebrates fatherhood because our culture celebrates denial. Our culture does not celebrate the individual knowing himself, nor in any way knowing the truth of his father. Our culture celebrates honoring his false self. People who study their parents’ full selves are on shaky ground in this culture. If they step too far out of line the culture treats them as enemies. And with good reason: they are enemies.

People motivated to learn greater truths have given up on the culture. They have long since sought peace through its acceptable avenues and it has failed them. They have honored their fathers’ images and have learned the misery inherent in this process. Their pain has taught them that their only hope lies in separating their fathers’ fact and fiction and seeking the deepest why. They are the few who sense the true direction for healing, and as they grow stronger they sacrifice more to travel farther. The new way is dangerous, but they are willing, because there is no other way.

The true road to heaven leads straight through hell. Heaven is here on earth. Heaven is differentiating from one’s parents. Heaven is becoming an individual and honoring oneself. Heaven is knowing the truth about who we are and where we came from. The heaven after death is just a fantasy for people who have lost hope of ever becoming happy while alive, and thus live only to die.

This is what their fathers taught them. This is not to be celebrated.