In our society, there is a perceived moral imperative to have strong convictions. If we fail to announce our concrete opinions about the various debates of the culture war, we will likely be criticized by both the left and the right. I assume this short reflection will offend many people whose social and political views are the same as mine.
While apathy is obviously problematic, having a hot take on every topic is too. There is an element of hubris in assuming the world needs our personal opinions. We cannot be experts in economics, international politics, gender studies, immunology, and theology at the same time. The world is complicated and we are finite creatures with limited understanding. We must strive to grow in wisdom and love together.
The numerous debates relevant to our time have effectively been reduced into a two party system: liberal or conservative, left or right. We subscribe to a set of opinions curated for us in advance, pit against one another like opposing football teams. Within our fortresses of certainty, we can’t understand anyone who lives outside the walls of our echo chamber. We fail to honour the humanity of those with whom we disagree, making it impossible to love our enemies.
As Yeats famously said, “the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” This applies equally to both sides of the field. The emotional intensity of our convictions locks us into conflict with our neighbours. We are blinded by passion, losing our appreciation for nuance and honest discourse. Unless we learn to see that of God in all people, our society will continue its descent into chaos and conflict.
All people seek after the Good by nature, everyone is trying to do the right thing. Disagreements arise because of our different view of the world and how it works. Remembering this makes us compassionate towards our neighbours and our enemies, who are often one and the same. When we recognize the humanity of those with whom we disagree, we invite them to do the same for us. This is the foundation of peace because it is the beginning of love.
Just to be clear, I’m not advocating for some kind of moral ambivalence, as if all opinions were equal. Quite the contrary. I’m saying we can listen to and respect people with incorrect or even harmful beliefs. If we seek to understand the reasons people believe what they do, instead of dismissing them with contempt, the shared pursuit of truth becomes possible. Then all of us can work together to make the world beautiful.
So, dear sisters and brothers, I encourage you to avoid all or nothing thinking. Speak the truth as you best you can, but remain humble and open minded as you do so. Resist the urge to demonize people who say and do things you find offensive. Scorn does not change people’s hearts, it closes them off and locks them in. Love alone has the capacity to heal the world. It is our only true hope.
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