Q&A... Studying "Forbidden" Subjects

Charles "Ghost" Coutts
May 29
6 min read

(Opinion)

This is a good question that I had to put some thought into before I posted an answer.

To begin, we should define what a "Forbidden" subject means, as I believe they don't exist—at least not since Eve ate the apple, which altered everything. Just saying. I didn't receive any other responses, only this question, but based on the content, I can reasonably infer that it was asked from a religious standpoint, particularly concerning Christianity and the Holy Bible.

How can you profess to follow God and the Bible when it explicitly instructs us not to study certain "forbidden" subjects, yet you openly acknowledge studying them in defiance of God's word?

While I am not a theologian, I am quite familiar with the Bible, and I cannot recall any part that explicitly prohibits me from reading or studying something. There are numerous passages that warn me against doing so, as it might expose me to forces I may not be able to withstand, but I do not remember it ever "forbidding" the pursuit of any kind of knowledge. I believe that prohibition was introduced by people as a means of control, and history largely supports this. I would not follow a God who forbade me from seeking knowledge that could help me improve myself as a person and as a human being, or to understand and confront any potential adversaries. To combat evil, for example, one must understand it, and the only way to do that is to study it. (Please cite these verses if I am wrong.)

Therefore, I think this is the point where we set aside the spiritual aspect and focus on the psychology that comes before it. This doesn't diminish the significance of the spiritual aspect in our decisions; rather, it offers a closer examination of how, using myself as an example, individuals can explore or study a topic without feeling the need to establish a belief system around it. Ultimately, it boils down to an individual's level of emotional maturity, which empowers them to withstand nearly any temptation. We recognize that our resistance or submission is a choice, and that choice will ultimately shape our spiritual destinies.

In essence, that's the answer. I don't think God has ever prohibited us from seeking knowledge of any kind, as doing so would undermine the concept of free will, wouldn't it? Consider it like "informed consent," because that's essentially what it is. Additionally, I know from experience that I'm capable of studying something without forming a belief system around it. I've always been able to do this because God blessed me with a keen mind once I began using it. It took me some time to realize this, but once I did, it stayed with me.

If you want me to elaborate further for clarity, please continue reading.

All of my content, whether it's written, video, or in any other form, is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. You are not required to agree with me.

Before delving into the psychology aspects, it's important to understand my belief system. I strive to follow the Bible and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, crucified and resurrected for our sins, and that only through Him can we reach the Father. However, I don't practice a specific religion because I feel that, in many cases, religion can replace God if its leaders become corrupt and followers fall into collectivism instead of fostering community. I believe this happens to some extent regardless. The existence of approximately 45,000 different versions of Christianity worldwide, all supposedly based on the same Word of God and each claiming to be the sole truth, has always puzzled me. It doesn't seem logical if they're all reading the same Bible, does it? Thus, I decided to listen to various interpretations and form my own understanding based on what aligns with the Bible. I chose to follow the Bible directly, setting aside interpretations from different "Christian" denominations. I felt this was the right path for me, and it has brought me closer to God, not further away. My relationship with God is deeply personal, and I don't let anything interfere with it, absolutely nothing!

After that statement, the most obvious question is, "Okay, but how do you do that?" This leads us into psychology, which I refer to as "conscious compartmentalization." Although not a recognized term, it helps differentiate this beneficial practice from trauma-induced compartmentalization, which is harmful. Learning this skill requires time and unwavering consistency, but the benefits are invaluable. I first encountered this concept in my Business Management classes during a seminar, and it was transformative. It effectively organized my chaotic mind, allowing me to separate emotions from logic and spiritual from worldly concerns, adhering to the principle that "everything has its place and everything is in it." This also enables me to start my thought processes based on available facts immediately, rather than being sidetracked by an unnecessary emotional reaction like most people. While others are still exclaiming "Oh my God," we are already exploring possible solutions and ways to implement them. We act rather than react. Unfortunately, those who react often outnumber us and fail to listen, exacerbating the problem until they realize we were right all along and then claim credit for resolving it our way. I think a lot of people can identify with this.

Regarding my spiritual beliefs, they are securely stored in a private vault, untouched by the worldly things I encounter, ensuring they remain untainted. Every day, the information I receive is automatically sorted into its appropriate category, or a new one is created if needed. I won't downplay the effort required; it takes significant diligence to train yourself to act contrary to lifelong habits. However, the transformative impact of this practice is indescribable. It's a decision we must commit to or not, and that responsibility lies with us. The real question is whether you are in control or if your mind is.

I'll conclude with this to provide a mental image of what I mean by what I've mentioned earlier. I was once asked in a psychology question to describe my mind. That was the entire question for the essay, and I must admit, it left me puzzled for a minute or two because I tend to overanalyze things.

My Answer: A massive house perched on a desolate hill, lacking windows and featuring only a single door. Upon entering, you find a hallway lined with a thousand doors, and within each room stands a large cabinet containing a thousand drawers. Each drawer holds a fragment of my life—a moment, memory, or event that influenced my life's journey, along with every decision and choice, whether good or bad, that led to it. These silent drawers encapsulate it all. Other floors store my emotions—fear, love, shame, guilt—each locked away in their own drawers behind countless doors. Over the years, the house has expanded with more floors, rooms, drawers, and additional pieces of my life carefully stored in their respective places.

The bottom floor is unique, featuring two rooms at the end of the hallway. One door, crafted from polished wood, exudes warmth and invitation. It opens to the person I have become, shaped by God's grace, striving continually to be a good man and a decent person. The other door, forged from black iron, is battered from within, with an endless ragged breath and a low, furious growl emanating from the darkness beyond its ominous chains and locks. This door confines the old version of myself, banished there permanently. Although I can never fully rid myself of that part of me, my fundamental nature, I can only resist it by keeping it securely locked away in its own dungeon. On each floor, there is also a small door labeled "Incinerator," where everything goes after I have retrieved it and addressed it.

My mind is a place of iron fisted control to contain the many demons that would otherwise destroy the serenity and peace I have finally found and never want to lose again.

This is, of course, a condensed version of that essay, quoted from memory. I appreciate these questions, so keep them coming, they make me think and I like to think.

Always remember this truth: Everything begins and ends with you. You are the one making the choices, no one else. If someone truly wants to learn this mental strategy, which is just one of many available, they will succeed, just as I did and so many others who have improved themselves because of it. Others may not, but that's their choice. Don't criticize or mock us; join us, and I promise you a life-changing experience.

Something to think about, until next time. ~Ghost

Connective Tissue