Everything Is at Stake if We Lose the Capacity for Civility. Democracy and Leadership Depend upon It.
It was the year 2009 on this day. I was greatly disturbed by a decline in civility in our public arena. I decided to write about it and this is what I said then. I repeat it because we have not improved, but declined more:
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I know I harp on this one and I think, rightfully so.
I believe that it is symptomatic of a disease in our culture that transcends any of the issues that rhetoric attaches itself to.
It crosses ideological lines.
It corrupts, distorts, and pollutes our debates.
It weakens arguments and sullies the participants.
What is most disturbing is that professing Christians participate in this sort of undignified behavior and justify it as righteous indignation, prophetic speech, and courageous truth-telling.
You can't call it "speaking the truth in love" if it is not really being spoken in love.
We were told growing up that television was a corrupting influence on morality. We were told that many manifestations of modernity were corrupting us and were warned of a waning of morality. We did not expect that even those calling for a higher moral standard would engage in immoral methods to promote them.
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I think I will continue to harp on this until things get better. I know that I am not the only person in the world who can get along with folks who hold opposing views to my own. I am sure that I am not the only person who can see the decency in people of diverse opinions. I am sure that I am not alone in recognizing that someone whose views I cannot entertain for a moment might be motivated by very good intentions.
I have to believe that the vast majority of Americans are sick of the name calling and lack of respect.
If nothing else, we will grow weary of media operatives insulting our intelligence and assuming we can't think further than sound bytes and slogans.
The theme for this part of the week remains the same - pray - seek God - and turn from our wicked ways.
Loss of civility is a very sign of systemic wickedness.
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Note: Real civility is not, I emphasize again, a lack of conviction and should not be like putting perfume on a pig to disguise the evil of injustice. So, I included some counter-point illustrations. But, the truth is, there has never been a time, nor will there ever be, when a bit of courtesy might be a much better idea than disrespect and fighting words.
Back when Herman Cain ran for a presidential nomination, he touted a 9-9-9 tax plan that resonated with me. A few years later, after reading and meditating over the Old Testament, I concluded that any government taxing over 10% of any citizen's income - commits Both Theft and Idolatry. There are those in government who also covet by wanting to raise taxes even more on those percieved to be sinful selfish hoarders. Remember to keep the peaceful Sabbath, and practice the other Commandments too.
Defender of orthodox Roman Catholicism
5 个月I agree that the temperature on both sides of the ideological divide are is way too high. However, I can’t remember a time when the philosophical views of both sides were more opposed.