Thursday; March 22

          One of the things I have learned about living in a “free and open society” is that everyone has an opinion and everyone has the right to express it.  One of the things that I have learned from living as long as I have in a free and open society is that we are better when we are willing to discuss things – even those things about which we disagree. 
          I think that most people would intellectually agree with the preceding thought, the problem comes when we put it into practice.  I may say that I like discussion, but it is very easy for me to shutdown communication with those who disagree with me.  Some end these discussions just by closing our ears (and our minds) and walking away. I guess we have the right to do this and, while I think it lessens our development and effectiveness, it is an inoffensive option.  Yet, there is another way to cease discussions that is very effective, but not quite as sociable.  When some of us want to shut down communication we find it easy to do by labeling others.  When I don’t really want to have a meaningful conversation with someone, an easy way to do it is by calling them a “name”.  Names or labels have been developed to pigeonhole someone and mark them or their ideals as inferior.  Sure, some titles can serve a legitimate purpose in helping define positions, but too often the labels we use to mark others have a negative connotation.  Terms like “racist”, “radical”, “snowflake”, “Nazi”,  “narrowminded”, “homophobe” and a host of others are often used to diminish those who disagree with us.  Even if they could be measured, they are casually thrown out there in an effort to belittle another person or opinion. 
          The New Testament reminds us, “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”. (Colossians 4:6) Let’s be willing to have discussions with each other on a civil level.  Even if we don’t agree with each other, by refraining from calling people names we leave the door open for learning and teaching.
          Think About It!

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