BECAUSE “GOD” SAID SO

by Karen Howard

Over the years I’ve run into a lot of interesting people. One thing I’ve noted is how often people believe authority figures. That’s not bad in and of itself. What’s sad (and scary) is when they believe a person simply because they consider him/her an authority figure.

For example, I’ve had people tell me they’ve gone to a psychic or reader (tarot, oracle deck, palms, tea leaves, whatever) and believe every single word the “authority” figure tells them—and then live their lives accordingly. One woman told me, “Well, he’s psychic, so he knows what he’s talking about. He knows what’s going to happen.” She never once gave Free Will a thought; never asked what gave this man his authority. As a consequence, she was convinced her life would be miserable, her husband and children would be sickly, they would always want for money, and her husband would die young. How sad.

I’ve been reading tarot cards for many years. No matter how long you’ve been reading tarot, you’re still a student—there’s always something new to learn. In every tarot class I teach there’s at least one student question or observation that broadens my understanding.

But just because I’ve been reading tarot for around 40 years doesn’t make me an “authority”. I encourage my clients to question their readings—whether the reader is me or someone else. Don’t simply accept what we say because you consider us “authorities”.

Had another incident this week when discussing politics. Yeah, I know it’s not a good subject to debate because nobody agrees. That aside, however, the person told me, “I’m not voting for (candidate) because of (issue).” I wasn’t familiar with that issue, so I went on the internet and did a little research, and found it’s something that’s been going on for decades and the current crop of candidates weren’t involved in it at all. But some “authority” told this person that (candidate) is responsible for this "reprehensible" (issue), which means (candidate) has lost a vote.

Agenda? You bet! I’m an authority on this, so listen to what I say, and live your life accordingly! And I get my way--wink, wink, nudge, nudge.

Moral of this blog—question everything! First and foremost, question what makes this person an authority.