Like everyone else, I suffer from the delusion that I have something to say! I think that my particular way of viewing an issue is thoughtful and sometimes considers ideas that others ignore. Whereas it seems to me that many stake out their own position and then set up a caricature of the opposing view--one that is easily dismissed--I think there is a better way. I think we should actually listen to what others are saying and realize they may be using a different vocabulary than we are! Perhaps we should even admit that, even while we hold a certain position, we see that the other side (or sides!) does indeed have, at times, valid points to consider, even when those points do not ultimately convince us. That is, in weighing all considerations, we still hold our view, not because there are no weaknesses of our view (or strengths of another view), but because the preponderance of the evidence leads us to a certain conclusion. Of course, in this day and age of bombastic talk radio and news (?) television, listeners and viewers obviously would rather hear and see people yell at each other and interrupt each other than have them thoughtfully and repectfully (but often passionately) share their ideas.
There doesn't seem to be much place for those who really want to grapple with ideas in an honest dialogue. And even if people wanted it, where would they find it? With the millions and millions of blogs out there, how would anyone find you even if you had something to say that they may want to hear?
Thus, the title of this blog. Of course, there is value in writing even if there is no one else to read it. So I hope I will take the time now and again to record my thoughts. (Who knows--ten years from now, this may be my only post!) It will help me even if no one else sees it.
Of course, if anyone does stumble across this, I hope to be like the biblical voice in the wilderness--in some way preparing the way for the Lord Jesus, helping make a straight path for myself and others to find the way to Him--or more correctly, making the way for Him to come afresh to me and you!
5 comments:
What a great idea. I am reminded of the book Fahrenheit 451. This is the same idea in the book of people being afraid to seek balance. and afraid to have real dialogue over any issues.
Hope lots of people join you!!
Dad, you're a dork. but I still love you anyways. I have this thing too, but I'm not telling you my name! lol (no that's laugh out loud, not lolly pop). You're cool Dad. Love you!
At the suggestion of one of my students, I am reading Blue Like Jazz. The book convicts me of my non-listening tendencies, how quickly I lump those without my particular viewpoint into stereotyped categories, short-circuiting further dialogue. Thanks for making time to Blog!
I don't think you're a dork dad. I think you're right, alot of people are infatuated with arguing and interrupting and mistake heated conversations as passionate conversations. They don't realize that it's possible to support your views VERY passionately, but still be respectful, which is in my mind one of the big parts of being passionate, which means loving it so much you're willing to let others say what they want in order to show them you're serious and you aren't afraid of their point of view, and that you know how to be respectful which is important.
I am reading a book by Randy Alcorn that uses the same literary device as the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. It reminds us that one of the devil's devices is to isolate us from non-Christians so that we will have no influence over them. Another is to have us preach at them without listening to them. Still another is to be afraid to speak the truth.
This blog is a great idea because it addresses all of these areas by giving people with different ideas a place to come together and speak in a respectful manner. We can truly listen to one another. Perhaps we will like each other. Then we can dialoge in a way that both sides can be heard.
Thanks!
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