Goats have a checkered role through human history. They once fulfilled a very important role in society. When psychology and psychiatry and sociology came of age, many societies decided they no longer needed the idea of a scapegoat. As a result, they also gave up the actual practice of using a scapegoat.
The practice of using a scapegoat goes back to biblical times. On a particular day each year, the people of the community would all write down their sins attach them to a chosen goat and drive the goat out into the desert. While this was certainly not a desirable role for the goat, it served a very important function for the society. When the sins and evils of the society were driven away, people were able to come together in a spirit of forgiveness and gratitude. Guilt, doubt, fear, hostility and anger could be addressed and healed and the society could move into the future with a clean slate.
With or without a scapegoat, it is important to make peace with the past, to forgive and to seek forgiveness and healing. Until we can move beyond the past we are carrying a crippling burden as we try to achieve our dreams.
“He who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.” — Confucius
If you need help moving beyond the past, call me. I can help.
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