Echo Chambers

I think the guy is more just an idiot. He is dangerous; he foments hatred. He and those who watch his show are much of the problem with the world these days. I hope you get the level of contempt I hold for him. To stop you in your tracks, it is not you, nor is it who you think it might be.

    I have lost count of the number of people who I have dismissed the same way. There have been politicians, televangelists, pundits, spokespeople, and talk-show hosts. It is not only a sad indication of our times that there is a veritable cornucopia of possibilities. It is an indictment of myself.

    My use of my own life as a bad example serves two purposes. First, one does not have to consider whether they are the example I am talking about. Second, it is to encourage the reader to realize that they are part of the problem.

    I was in a conversation about what can only be called the vileness of the church. As our faith has entered the political arena, we have lost much of our grace and love. The messages that come from us in regard to the world around us are one of bitterness and condemnation. In this discussion, I was asked what I thought the starting point would be. My answer is, “To realize that I am part of the problem.” Thus, I circle back to my opening line. Not only do I think “this guy” is an idiot, but those who support him, I think, are idiots.

    I am not sure if the world has ever been this divisive or whether it is just that much clearer. Our intolerance of those who hold different opinions is shown in our language. One only has to meander through YouTube, reading the titles of the videos. Words such as annihilate, destroy, devastate, obliterate, and others are used to describe the arguments made in support of or opposition to an issue made contentious only by our intolerance. It is a closed system; our emotionally charged opinions create the anger that fuels our objection. It is our angry objections that, in turn, fuel emotionally charged opinions.

    This is wrong on so many levels. And yes, I did write “wrong” and yes that is judgmental and yes I think I am justified in being this judgmental. The “wrongness” of this situation is that our intolerance goes well beyond reason and becomes personalized. At the same time, we do not see our involvement in sustaining this situation. My scathing condemnation of “that idiot” invites an equally hateful response.

    The other closed system is our own perceptions and understandings. Years ago, one of the contentious issues was the Syrian refugees. People were lining up along religious and political lines. In the emotional hyperbole that came from all sides in this discussion, overstating, overgeneralizing, and oversimplifying became common. What was missed was the complexity of the issue. In doing so there was no room for the compassion of many people. Nor was the concern for our country’s safety allowed. If this disagreement ended with the dismissal of the other’s position that would be acceptable. However, the dismissal extended to the person having a different opinion.

          Time for a convenient quote from the Goat Herder’s Guide! And even better than just cherry-picking the verse, I cherry-pick the best part of the verse.

 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Romans 12.2a

 

    We are best served by understanding that this divisiveness is part of a world that has “fallen.” To partake in this aspect of our culture only serves to sustain this practice. It does not give voice to our beliefs, moral, or ethics. It serves only to further entrench the other person. Nor does it expand our perception and understanding of the world around us. All it does is create an echo chamber of our own thoughts.

    It is this self-centred isolation, where “I” am right, that we have been rescued. I am not suggesting that all of our beliefs need be called in question. (Though I don’t think that is a bad thing.) We are made better people when we consider the perspective of others. Even when we vehemently reject the other perspective.

    I side-step the possible political motivations for having us this divided and at each other. Our faith calls us into community, not only a community of those who agree with me. This divisiveness has entered into churches. Many issues, most of them not even central to our faith, have been described as being worth splitting the church. I disagree. It is only when I stand next to my sister or brother who holds a different opinion that unity in the “body of Christ” is experienced.

    There is one other aspect of divisiveness that must be considered. For many people, we are the only Gospel they will come into contact. As well, we may be the only opportunity to experience the love of God. This is a call to draw close those who believe differently than we.

 

Anyway, that is my opinion