Have you ever wondered why it is that whenever a leader of some church in the U.S. has a viral video or something come out (pun intended) that shows them sermonizing against gay/lesbian/marriage rights that people get so angry as to leave over 900 comments? Like here today for example; http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/22/video-of-north-carolina-pastors-plan-to-get-rid-of-gays-goes-viral/
This is something I see and think "How is this a headline? So someone out there is saying something almost completely expected."
Why people do you not know that for every popular point of view there is completely opposite view? Like a law of physics for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Sound familiar? What disturbs me most is the following example; Susie says she hates dogs, all dogs and feels they should all be rounded up and shipped off her island or eliminated, so when Sandy hears this is enraged and says that Susie should be eliminated or shipped off the island. But you see Sandy already knew that Susie and her followers have been campaigning for the removal of dogs for years and has always felt that way. So Sandy's answer is to eliminate Susie & her followers...hmmm...it is doing exactly as Susie said she wanted to deal with her issue. Sandy needs to come back with a better reaction. One that isn't ruled by emotional reaction because that is often exactly what Susie wanted...more fuel to her cause showing how Sandy would want to do the same thing to her so the higher ethical ground is never reached.
Why people expect someone to go against their long held belief id no different than you going against yours. Sure we would hope that people are thinking more about these issues and how we can learn change is possible, however you cannot make someone change..you could only force, intimidate but nobody truly changes their true belief under duress. There are ways to help facilitate change that are not through rash bouts of angry threats and insults. No I am not talking about legislation to stop people from speaking against your beliefs, that only serves to muzzle the rights to freedom of speech & religion. Once again under duress. This also would allow more control of the government over it's citizens. The government will become a tyrant vs. a facilitator of our liberties. No there needs to be another way, one that uses common sense, not belittling or else it is fire against fire. Do not be shocked is the first step, if you know your opposition's viewpoint how can you ever be shocked?
The next step is to minimalize your reaction...do you share the headline to anger more likeminded people? If you fan the fire are you not helping your opposition's message? Ron Paul complains he never get's enough media time...whether it's true or not the idea is smart if your news agencies are opposing views to Ron Paul they will try to minimize his impact no?
Next is deciding to go a different way. There is going to be an organized march against this church leader, this is laughable am I right? While it might be just getting your voice heard it certainly isn't going to change that leader's viewpoint really is it? It won't close down the church, it won't get the government involved because our constitutional rights. So what could the marchers do instead of carrying angry threats and signs and gays kissing on the streets (because that will help your cause right? Nope it doesn't FYI)? If the opposer says I do this out of love...maybe you should too? Maybe for the love of your cause you show your ability to let this video fade into the obscurity it will get to go into by only reaching those who agree but who are powerless to make any of what that person's opinion come true. Maybe instead of angry words in comments...maybe a word of love..like wow this leader needs love today, because this anger and hate comes from hurt. Hurt people hurt more people, healed people heal others. I can't stand a radio show host personally, but see I don't click on links about him, listen to his show etc., and I am guessing he doesn't want me listening to his show unless it is to make him a bigger deal or if I agree with him. Nothing I do or say will make that talk show go away unless I allowed my liberties to become further compromised. This is the better part of valor, this the path to personal peace. I would rather fight for everyone's right to freedom of religion than to have it disappear. Think about your causes, think about what protections you would lose if you forced your oppositions protections away too.
These are the Daily Shavings from the Hairy Mad Mad World we live in. I don't mind shaving what I can from the lessons of this life and today is another day worth shaving for, just bring a sharp razor.
This is something I see and think "How is this a headline? So someone out there is saying something almost completely expected."
Why people do you not know that for every popular point of view there is completely opposite view? Like a law of physics for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Sound familiar? What disturbs me most is the following example; Susie says she hates dogs, all dogs and feels they should all be rounded up and shipped off her island or eliminated, so when Sandy hears this is enraged and says that Susie should be eliminated or shipped off the island. But you see Sandy already knew that Susie and her followers have been campaigning for the removal of dogs for years and has always felt that way. So Sandy's answer is to eliminate Susie & her followers...hmmm...it is doing exactly as Susie said she wanted to deal with her issue. Sandy needs to come back with a better reaction. One that isn't ruled by emotional reaction because that is often exactly what Susie wanted...more fuel to her cause showing how Sandy would want to do the same thing to her so the higher ethical ground is never reached.
Why people expect someone to go against their long held belief id no different than you going against yours. Sure we would hope that people are thinking more about these issues and how we can learn change is possible, however you cannot make someone change..you could only force, intimidate but nobody truly changes their true belief under duress. There are ways to help facilitate change that are not through rash bouts of angry threats and insults. No I am not talking about legislation to stop people from speaking against your beliefs, that only serves to muzzle the rights to freedom of speech & religion. Once again under duress. This also would allow more control of the government over it's citizens. The government will become a tyrant vs. a facilitator of our liberties. No there needs to be another way, one that uses common sense, not belittling or else it is fire against fire. Do not be shocked is the first step, if you know your opposition's viewpoint how can you ever be shocked?
The next step is to minimalize your reaction...do you share the headline to anger more likeminded people? If you fan the fire are you not helping your opposition's message? Ron Paul complains he never get's enough media time...whether it's true or not the idea is smart if your news agencies are opposing views to Ron Paul they will try to minimize his impact no?
Next is deciding to go a different way. There is going to be an organized march against this church leader, this is laughable am I right? While it might be just getting your voice heard it certainly isn't going to change that leader's viewpoint really is it? It won't close down the church, it won't get the government involved because our constitutional rights. So what could the marchers do instead of carrying angry threats and signs and gays kissing on the streets (because that will help your cause right? Nope it doesn't FYI)? If the opposer says I do this out of love...maybe you should too? Maybe for the love of your cause you show your ability to let this video fade into the obscurity it will get to go into by only reaching those who agree but who are powerless to make any of what that person's opinion come true. Maybe instead of angry words in comments...maybe a word of love..like wow this leader needs love today, because this anger and hate comes from hurt. Hurt people hurt more people, healed people heal others. I can't stand a radio show host personally, but see I don't click on links about him, listen to his show etc., and I am guessing he doesn't want me listening to his show unless it is to make him a bigger deal or if I agree with him. Nothing I do or say will make that talk show go away unless I allowed my liberties to become further compromised. This is the better part of valor, this the path to personal peace. I would rather fight for everyone's right to freedom of religion than to have it disappear. Think about your causes, think about what protections you would lose if you forced your oppositions protections away too.
These are the Daily Shavings from the Hairy Mad Mad World we live in. I don't mind shaving what I can from the lessons of this life and today is another day worth shaving for, just bring a sharp razor.
posted from Bloggeroid
True words. What we have lost in this country is the ability to discuss differning opions like sane, rational people. Seems like we have reached a point that if you do not agree with someone you are "intolerant". Funny, I thought it just meant that you disagreed with them.
ReplyDeleteI am seeing that journalists who headline this kind of stuff should also get the dummy award of "Pointing out the Obvious".
DeleteI agree that responding with anger and threats is not the way to minimize this minister's words. I personally think that a video of their own using humor would be more effective.
ReplyDelete