September 30, 2008
Politics and religion are those two areas that intellectuals always try to keep from their public conversations as proof of their intelligence. They are the uncomfortable topics that tend to possibly offend and expose the differences that polarize our society. The fact is that our lives are determined by our political and religious views. How we defer really demonstrates the lack or magnitude of knowledge on the issues.
In America we label our views as liberal, conservative, moderate, independent and some others that only tend to give a brief glimpse to some of what we think. Are we wrong or right in thinking the way we do? The reality is that we are wrong most of the times because having to demonstrate that we are right negates the point. If we are right then why must we demonstrate it? Should it not be obvious to others?
Unfortunately, not everyone sees things the way we do. Foreign policy decisions are a good indicator of that. We should try to find common ground and build on it. We all tend to agree on basic fundamentals like, murder is wrong, child abuse is unacceptable, and bestiality is unnatural, along with other basic commonalities of civilized prosperous people. It is when we begin to discuss the issues with abortion, homosexuality, finances and human individuality that we get confused. So how can we bridge the gap of confusion to bring our beliefs to center stage in a peaceful manner? Sadly, we cannot because we value ourselves more that others. We believe that we are right most of the times, which breeds a prideful arrogance. We must look at our past generations in comparison to our present. What was good then is it still good now? What was bad then is it still bad now? Has bad become good and good bad? We need to see absolutes in our values and beliefs. If they are subject to change based on viewpoints then we may be looking at them from a wrong perspective. Keep an open mind to different viewpoints but an unshakable stand on absolutes. How you determine the difference is simple. Absolutes come from God and viewpoints from man.
Here are some examples of God’s absolutes: The value of life at all levels of existence does not waver on the laws of nature, allowing death as a form of punishment, granting forgiveness if asked of Him. These things never change.
Here is an example of the most common viewpoint from man: God is wrong and I am right.