Mark Dohle

Diversity

June 1, 2009 |  21 comments
Image Credit: stockxpert Things can get complicated today in a culture where there are so many diverse religions, philosophies and political inclinations clamoring for space and listeners; at times these different perspectives living within the same family often causing a great deal of stress and discord. For those who like to read and learn about other systems of beliefs, as well as the experiences people have that are interpreted according to their way of life, things can get overwhelming at times if not downright confusing. So many people with one answer on another, trying to get others to believe them and to forsake all others for 'the truth', simple black and white answers for a very complex and often bewildering world, which can only add to the confusion. Yes the world has become a real tower of babel.

People can take their beliefs for granted. In fact if someone belongs to any group that is very close knit, an aura of infallibility can be accepted as the norm. Of course this bubble will quickly burst if any kind of discussion is indulged in with someone with an opposing view. Words are weapons, so debate is not about truth, but about who can win the most points in a face to face 'word duel'; with a definite winner or loser. Many good, gentle fundamentalist Christians lose their faith when confronted with the facts of science and that their simple childlike acceptance that all scripture must be taken literally is challenged and overthrown. There are some forms of child-likeness that are based on a too narrow perception of the world and of their faith. Many atheist that I have dialogued with (not debated, I am lousy at it), not all of course, come from strong fundamentalist backgrounds.

Atheists and agnostics can come across just as belligerent as any died in the wool believer. The wonder is that these types don't make the connection that they become what they so often seem to hate and rile against. I often have to stifle a yawn when I meet someone who starts off trying to brow beat me into an absurd argument over the existence of God, which has been gone over a million times before. Different people, same arguments, with none being convinced to leave their own belief systems, just an endless cycle of verbiage, insults and contempt being the fruit, rotten fruit of course, often leading to greater rigidity on both sides….. it can be so wearisome. In fact black and white thinkers no matter what their stance, resemble each other in their presentation of themselves to those around them….. they become bores.Knowing that what others think or believe cannot be changed over arguing with them, then the best thing to do is to try to understand the' why' of their beliefs. When speaking from the level of personal experience and truly listening to the other, an enriching exchange can be had. While debate usually leads nowhere, though it can be a good form of entertainment if part of the audience, just observing and trying to give the 'other' side a fair hearing. Which is very difficult to do of course in any case; for we are such subjective creatures, often reacting instead of listening, reducing the opposing party to stereotypes that are very negative and in the end unjust. Only adverted to if our side is subjected to that kind of treatment.

It has always been this way of course and I guess it always will. I am not immune of course. For I tend to make those who hold opposing views all like, while those in my own group I over exaggerate their differences. I tend most of the time to read those books, that while deepening my understanding of my own faith and philosophy of life, which I think is needed, yet they do not challenge me the same way when I read some work that is antithetical to my own belief. I think it is good to read something that can bring in some anxiety, for it can force me to think and at the least, help to find some answer to the position taken by the one with opposing views. I also blackwash everyone who opposes me from those with a more fundamentalist bent, be they fundamentalist believers or non-believers. Something I know is wrong and must spend some time trying to deconstruct this kind of response. I have some success, but in the end I am afraid I will be dead two hours before it is finally defeated.

The only thing that works for me is to treat others, or attempt to, the same way I wish to be treated. As I get older if I come upon someone who is overly aggressive and simplistic, I simply smile and go my own way. Life is really too short to indulge in that kind of nonsense. There are plenty of people out there who like screaming debates and I am not one of them sad to say. For I think that those who like it have found a form of entertainment that is bottomless. For the human capacity to box in and show contempt seems almost infinite.

Mark Dohle Comments (21)

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