Today's Scripture Reading (January 27, 2021): James 4 & 5
Socrates argued that "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events.
Small minds discuss people." I think the Greek philosopher would have been
disappointed with the place to which our culture has devolved. It seems we
rarely discuss at the level of ideas anymore. Our go-to always appears to be at
the level of people. It is not that the argument is unsound because we have
examined it, and the idea doesn't measure up. It is that the person is an
idiot, or they belong to the wrong political party, and because the person is
lacking, so is every idea that comes from their minds. And that needs to change.
Not
long ago, I publicly complimented a politician on handling one aspect of the
COVID-19 pandemic. I am convinced that politicians, like children, need to be praised
when they do something right. The compliment was given in a limited sense, but
the local government had done something right and deserved recognition. The
response I received from one friend was that the government had made a mess of
education. They were losers, and because they were losers, they were incapable
of doing anything right. The argument had quickly gone from a discussion over
an idea and devolved into the realm of personality.
In the
conclusion of James's letter, he admonishes his readers not to grumble against
each other, adding that they will be judged if they do complain. The concept is
revolutionary. It argues that, while it is entirely appropriate to discuss at
the level of ideas, it is not right to discuss at the level of people. And if
we do allow our discussions to devolve to the level of a person, then we would be
judged, regardless of how stupid the original idea might have been.
It
is not that we are never to discuss the areas in which we differ. Discussions
over ideas is a good thing. But it should be kept at that level. When we disagree,
we need to make sure that personality doesn't enter into the discussion.
Someone isn't wrong because of who they are or because of the political party
to whom they might belong. A person is never wrong, never. It is the idea or
the concept that is wrong.
Senator
John McCain in a 2008 campaign stop reacted the way that James would have us
all react when a supporter complained that "Obama was an Arab,"
McCain took the microphone and took over the conversation. No, he did not discuss
that Arab's are good people or that there is nothing wrong with being an Arab.
I think the criticism of McCain over this is misplaced. He was not the
espousing a well thought out policy statement. It was a reaction to an attack that
had occurred at the level of the person. McCain's response was simple. "No,
ma'am, he's a decent family man, citizen, that I just happen to have
disagreements with on fundamental issues." It was a proper response. Socrates
would have been proud; and, so would James. Obama was a good man with, according
to McCain's point of view, some bad ideas. So, let's spend our time talking
about the ideas, and whether they are really good or bad. And it is at this level
that our disagreements and discussions should exist.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Acts 13
No comments:
Post a Comment