When it comes to the topics of politics and religion, not only do we frequently disagree with each other, we very often attribute the worst possible motives to the folks who disagree with us. The folks on the other side cannot be simply wrong - they must be evil or stupid (or some combination of the two). I believe that this tendency to demonize the other side is at the root of the extreme polarization which currently exists in the United States. And, just for the record, I'm not pointing a finger at others (we've all been guilty of this at times).
Jesus Christ instructed his followers not to judge each other and cautioned that God would judge each of them by how generous they were in judging each other. Scripture informs us that God looks at the heart - not the superfluous and obvious stuff which most of us are preoccupied with. Is the person motivated by a spirit of love or hate, mercy or revenge, humility or arrogance, greed or generosity, helping or hindering, obedience or rebellion, etc. ? In other words, the motive behind our thinking and activities is very important to God. And Christ understood that motivations are not as readily apparent to humans (who tend to focus on the obvious feedback which they receive via their 5 senses).
Christ also informed his disciples that it was dangerous to characterize their brothers and sisters as being a fool. He knew that the impulse to conclude that those who disagree with us must be stupid beats strong in the human heart, and he knew that that impulse tends to symbolically "murder" the other person by assassinating their intelligence.
Unfortunately, most of us are very impulsive - we tend to rush into those places where angels fear to tread. Anyone who disagrees with us must be in the bonds of Satan. Those who support/oppose this or that can't be a Christian. People who believe/don't believe this or that must be stupid! Anyone who supports socialism/capitalism must be EVIL - the thing that motivates that support becomes irrelevant. The principle is the same for almost any religious or political issue that comes to mind.
And, just in case anyone out there is getting ready to pounce, I'm not advocating for a kind of moral relativism. Right and wrong do exist, and some folks are motivated by hate, revenge, arrogance, greed and a spirit of rebellion - some folks are stupid! Nevertheless, we should all be more willing to heed the words of Christ and be cautious about jumping to negative conclusions about the other guy's motivations. Shouldn't we be leaning into the direction of giving each other the benefit of the doubt? Shouldn't we as Christians be focused on believing the best, building each other up and not tearing each other down?
And, once again, I'm thinking about my own behavior in this regard. I feel compelled to try to do better. What about you?
In a debate I will be worse.
ReplyDeleteIn a discussion we will need to come to a solution and try and seek where my solution will benefit yours to create a win win in a less than ideal solution albeit desirable for both.
There's a time to debate and there's a time to discuss.
Nck
In a semi-humorous response to the title of this post, one of the private comments I received noted: "Sadly, we can’t (unless you’re a cardiologist!)." While we can all appreciate the irony and humor inherent in this observation, it does underscore the fact that it is difficult for us to look beyond the obvious.
ReplyDeleteHowever, from a Scriptural perspective, it is NOT impossible for us to discern at least some of what is in the heart - a person's motivation.
Christ taught his disciples: "For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh." Luke 6:43-45 He said "by their fruits, ye shall know them." Matthew 7:20
Likewise, the Apostle Paul said that God's Holy Spirit produced discernable fruit or evidence within the lives of the people who had it (see Galatians 5:22-23). He also said that a wicked heart was made manifest by the actions of a person (see Galatians 5:19-21).
Hence, while it may not be easy or as readily apparent to us, Scripture clearly teaches that it is possible for us to discern at least some of what resides in another person's heart - and the clear implication is that we should be looking for that evidence.
Miller.
ReplyDeleteI like scripture by defining "the heart".
Psychology offers other clues.
For instance.
A perceived sociopath like Trump is not able to admit any loss, because it would force him to confront the ugly truth within the shell his ego has created to protect the "self."
In short, Trump hates himself, his true inner being. His frail inner corps is protected by an iron shield, incapable of "showing weakness" //or to healthy human being, the show of vulnerability to create bonds and relationships with fellow equal vulnerable human beings.
In order to protect, the much hated self, (probably because of a terrible upbringing without love or empathy), Trump will go ANY length to protect the shield and therefore himself, he might FLEE forward.
At best he hinted that he would leave, FLEE, the country, at worst he takes us all down with him in his personal struggle to *protect his heart."
Where do I differ.
Is he an." evil man with an evil heart" or is he a victim, capable of evil deeds because evil as a concept.
Nck
Hopefully, we are all interested in understanding more about what makes people do the things that they do. Obviously, knowing more about what causes aberrant behavior may help us to prevent its reoccurrence in the future.
DeleteHowever, we are also faced with handling the situation before us. For that, we are primarily concerned with containing the damage and removing or isolating the perpetrator of the behavior.
Hence, while we are interested in understanding what makes Trump tick (and there have been numerous psychological analyses of him - like the popular recent offering by his niece), the need to check his behavior in the present is more pressing. Right now, I'm not really concerned with his loveless upbringing or protecting his fragile ego. Once he's neutralized, we can study all of that at our leisure. Sorry, there's my practicality rearing its ugly head again :)
An example of what NOT to do:
ReplyDelete"A dean at a small Virginia college has caused an uproar after calling Joe Biden voters “ignorant, anti-American and anti-Christian” in a Facebook post, the Virginian-Pilot reported." see https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/virginia-college-dean-calls-biden-voters-ignorant-anti-christian-in-facebook-post-causes-uproar/ar-BB1b0SHp?ocid=msedgdhp
Miller 9:52.
ReplyDeleteMost people are getting increasingly detached from "the Deans comments" or Trumps lie filled tweets themselves.
Like an awkward relationship in the past, or the Carter presidency, knowing that it happened but rather be in denial.
I'd rather understand more about Trumps behavior, after all, what are we going to do to keep the most powerfull man in the world in check. Ridiculous!
We should have faith in our institutions, if they fail have fsith in our military and secret service, if they fail have faith in moral people with access to the dictator and full christian awareness of what for instance the catholic church allows to "happen" to evil dictators and usurpers.
Nck