Did you know that Satan himself has been associated with the left hand or side?
Did you know that until recently, it was not considered that left-handedness was genetic, but rather it was a choice?
Did you know that in many parts of the world until the 1960's, children who showed favor to the left hand were forced to switch to right-handedness? In some parts of the world, that is still in practice. This often leads to neurological problems, due to the confusion.
Left-handedness has been considered to be deliberately rebellious. It has been said that lefties are more likely to be stupid, gay, clumsy and to have cancer. They are more likely to struggle with sports, not because they are not athletic or clumsy, but because sports and sports equipment are often designed solely for the right-handed.
It is also said that for a small minority, switching is relatively easy. For most, being forced to switch or change from left-handedness to right-handedness leads to a lifetime of confusion, struggle and unhappiness.
There is no doubt that being left-handed in this world is a disadvantage. As a child, lefties are taunted and humiliated. They struggle to learn write properly, to not leave smudges on their papers, to use scissors correctly. Many school desks are a major disadvantage to students. Some people still feel that lefties are disabled, rebellious or even evil.
It's true that lefties tend to be more creative, adaptable, and emotionally intelligent. It is also said that lefties are the only ones in their right minds. :)
Today, most people don't care if a person is left-handed, because we know it is genetic and generally not changeable. Nonetheless, it is still a disadvantage in some situations.
Just sayin'.
Oh, and I'm one of those lefties.
Morgan is a lefty too and I encourage it. That's one of those things that a lot of people make such a big damn deal about and for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Oh well.....
ReplyDeleteThat explains so much about you!
ReplyDeleteWe can't be friends anymore. I do have limits of heresy, you know ;-)
"Did you know that Satan himself has been associated with the left hand or side?"
ReplyDeleteI always wondered why certain religions were called "Left Hand Paths." I could have figured it out if I'd have bothered to think about it. :)
And oh - I KNEW there was something wrong about you. ;-)
Mike - The thing to know about left-handedness is it can be hard in school. Learning to write holding the pencil correctly and not slanting the letters the wrong way, learning not to smear pencil/pen with the side of your hand as it moves across the page, and learning to use right-handed scissors are the things that make it hard...i.e. functioning in a right-handed world. But there are many benefits, too, such as creativity.
ReplyDeleteJust be aware as he reaches school age that there will be some challenges for him. Most teachers today are trained to teach lefties, but some still get annoyed at their struggles.
But no, it's no big deal. And most lefties are cross-dominant, they learn to do some tasks right handed just because it's easier. It's a talent most righties don't have, and makes lefties more adaptable. For instance, I have no trouble with a right-handed mouse (but my mom who is also a leftie has switched her mouse to the left hand). I have always hit a softball right handed, and I open things like jars right handed. It's weird.
Michelle - You should talk. :)
ReplyDeleteKay - Precisely. The dark paths are often called "left hand".
ReplyDeleteAnd, gee, thanks!
You guys are great and all, but I was making a subtle point. Anyone know?
ReplyDeleteDid you know the term for "left" in Latin is "sinister" (whereas "right" is "dexter," as in "dexterous"), and in French it is "gauche?"
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a leftie. As is my dad. And my boss. And my pastor. Lefties of the world, unite!
I did know that, Jim. When I studied French I always hated that word "gauche", because of it's negative connotations.
ReplyDeleteI always wished one of my kids would be a lefty, but they aren't. But my mom is, and her father was.
Hey I'm a fellow leftie...I hate it that coffee cups are made for righties. I can never see the picture.
ReplyDeleteIs the subtle point something about “because we know it is genetic and generally not changeable”?
ReplyDeleteActually there is a great story in the Bible about a left handed guy called Ehud (Judges 3:12-30). As you say left handed people were not well thought of. However the Israelites had Ehud and being left handed his dragger was strapped to his right side but because left handed people were not normally allowed to serve in the army the Moabites didn’t check his right side for weapons. So he was allowed into the king’s presence and did him in.
It was a victory that only a left handed person could have won.
Ah, so that's why you and church didn't get on. They offered you the "right hand of fellowship" and you responded with your evil left hand. Repent, sinner! ;o)
ReplyDeleteJust a thought: former world super-middleweight boxing champion Joe Calzaghe is left-handed, and for him it was an advantage. (I know this to my cost from many sparring sessions with him in the 80s - lefties are harder to hit!)
Ruth - I hear you on that one. I buy solid color mugs, or the ones who have pictures all the way around. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan - Yes, I have heard that one. There are benefits to being a lefty, for sure.
ReplyDeleteBarry - Haha, very true about the right hand of fellowship.
ReplyDeleteI did know that about boxers. I have watched the Rocky movies!
Subtle? If you say so.... ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't know, Jarred. Did everyone think this post was about being left handed?
ReplyDeleteIt was born of a recent conversation where I was told that sexual orientation was a choice and the bible was very clear on the sin of it. If that's true, then I'm in big trouble as a lefty. :)
The Bible's also pretty clear that:
ReplyDelete1) Being a hypocrite is a choice and a sin, and yet Christians spend a lot of time looking for the motes in other people's eyes.
2) Being a tight flint toward the poor and needy is a choice and a sin, yet many seem to want to shut off any form of help for those out of work because "they deserve it anyway."
3) Being abusive or uncharitable toward the foreigners within our borders is a choice and a sin, and I won't even bring up the immigration discussion.
4) Being a follower of other idols (koff - money, koff, koff - consumerism) is a choice and a sin, and yet America is what it is.
There are lots of things that are both choices and sins, and I wouldn't be too keen to get up on my high horse and point out the sins of others, lest they look at my own choices.
[Sorry, just made it through another complete reading of the prophets in the OT, so I am primed with dourness toward the sanctimonious.]
Jim - Agreed. Your list is good, and it is why I personally sit in judgement of those who spend too much time focusing on other's sins. Oh wait...is that judgment a sin? Well, I'm not perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteHowever, I think my point here is that throughout history, the religious have believed many things to be dire sins that we today know more about. We are more psychologically, socially and scientifically educated and evolved, and no longer consider many things to be sins; even sometimes considering their prohibition to have been cultural for a specific period of time.
For instance, geocentricity, divorce, cut hair, resting on the sabbath, the wearing of gold jewelry, women speaking in church...left-handedness, etc.
Yet the religious continue to hang on tight to certain things, not realizing, or ignoring, their hypocrisy for all the biblical mandates they personally no longer adhere to.
Hmm... Erin, I was aware of these sttitudes growing up.... and yet I always wished I was a leftie - would practice trying to use my left hand to write, to eat. lol - I wonder what that says about me....
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I have generally loved being left-handed. I tend to be an individualist, at least mentally, and I loved that it gave me that "thing" that set me apart.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what that says about you...except maybe wanting the creativity or individuality that it might have given you?
Where do you stand on two left-handed people getting married? That would obviously create a family with values and actions favoring the left and threaten what is right in the world!
ReplyDeleteThat's the funniest thing I have heard in awhile, Rick! Thanks!
ReplyDelete