The rapist

A friend is trying to convince me that my voluntary work in Barta'a is wrong. He says that though I think I am doing good and positive work, it is actually negative and harmful.

He uses an example to illustrate his point. "Suppose a rapist keeps re offending, what do you do? I would have him executed or incarcerated for ever, he says. You on the other hand would want to treat him, heal him, am I right he asks? I suppose so, I answer. Well, this is exactly my point, he says. You are naive and trusting and by thinking you have done good, by thinking you have helped the rapist, you have done great damage to the many women he would certainly rape in the future".

What's the connection between this and my work in Barta'a I ask? Can't you see, he says? The people you are working with are nice to you because you help them and they agree with you politically. But they want to destroy us and as soon as they are able to, they will do it. You are helping the enemy, he concludes his argument.

Nothing I say to him can convince him to explore his prejudice and reexamine his thesis. Nothing he says to me can convince me there is even a seed of truth in what he says.

I suggested we try to swap perspectives. I will try to see reality from his point of, in effect adopting his world view, stepping into 'his shoes' and seeing the world through his eyes and vice versa. Maybe this way we could at least understand where the other is coming from....