Let’s listen to each other
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As I follow politics, I am always struck, and saddened by, the general unwillingness to listen. “Because I know the Truth, everyone else must not unless they agree entirely with me. Because I now have a monopoly on absolute Truth, there is no reason for me to listen to others.”
Although this mentality is common across all parts of politics, Christians (and organized religions in general) seem exceptionally good at falling into this trap because “my interpretation of the will of God is perfect and my application of that interpretation to every other subject is perfect, there is no reason that I should listen to anyone else.” This view strikes me as both conceited (are we really that special that God has chosen to share Gods entire Truth with us and only us) and deluded (can we in our finiteness even fully understand the will of an infinite, omnipotent God?).
If we would simply stop and listen to each other, I think we would find that there are things we can teach each other, and more importantly, things we can learn from each other as we collectively strive to move closer to God’s will.
This is exactly how I feel. It seems as though there are many who feel this way, yet I can see no changes. I think that many people just get fed up with others’ refusal to meet half way and check out of the conversation entirely. I admit to feeling this way myself much of the time. I think that part of this is that if you adapt what you believe or say, people will think you aren’t firm in your beliefs and label you a “waffler.” That’s pretty lame.
Posted by Noah Weaverdyck, on May 7th, 2008 at 10:31 amJesse, I have to say that this is one of the most succinct and effective ways that this problem has been articulated. Sadly, the attitude that one has an exclusive franchise on the truth extends well beyond religion, and into the political arena as well.
Noah’s comment on the conceit of refusing to meet others halfway is also spot-on. At some point in our recent history, “close-minded” got replaced with “firm in your beliefs” and became a positive.
Thank you for your enlightened writing, and please do visit us at our blog, http://www.nuancedfaith.org.
Manuel
Posted by Nuanced Faith, on May 7th, 2008 at 5:45 pmYou bring up a good point Noah. it is sad that it has become a bad trait to change your mind. In condemning so-called “flip-floppers” or “wafflers” we are simply promoting people to be closed-minded and stubborn. We should constantly be challenging our beliefs and putting them to the test.
I think this also goes along with a general fear of making mistakes. In my opinion, if people risked more and made more mistakes the world would be a better place from all that they learn. Instead, we cower in fear of our own potential failures that have yet to occur.
These things are especially true in faith when there are no concrete right or wrong answers. Since there is no absolute method to unequivocally prove that God even exists, who are we to tell others his specific plan for mankind without at least opening our minds to the possibility that we are wrong?
Once we realize we are all human, maybe we will realize that there is no shame in being wrong and that others may actually know more than us. Then, we can begin to listen.
Posted by Allen Shenk, on May 8th, 2008 at 3:15 pm