Dare To Stand Alone

The notion that we must be absolute in our opinions pertaining to political and social associations troubles and confuses me. You’re either with us or against us.  Republican or Democrat, Republic vs Democracy, Red State or Blue State, Left or Right, Conservative vs Liberal, Christian or Atheist, Pro-Life vs Pro-Choice, the right to provide for yourself and your family or depend solely on the government to provide. Even rights dictated by the law of the land have generated rifts in friends and families. To be viable it seems we can only reside in the extreme fringes of these issues, there can be no middle ground and certainly no room for debate. Anything short of “extreme” shows a lack of commitment.  We can no longer look at an issue and ponder through a process to determine for ourselves the right decision; this too shows a lack of commitment to your masters.  Regardless of the camp in which you reside, YOU MUST defend the “camp’s” viewpoint. It is not enough to ignore or disregard opposing viewpoints, we must also viciously attack opposing viewpoints as well as the person with those viewpoints. Additionally, we must be quick to label any opposing viewpoint as hate speech, systemic racism or “just too stupid for words.” To debate is beneath us and a waste of our time. Why bother with an honest debate? It’s common knowledge the opposition is without a doubt wrong on any conceivable level.  Sadly, all too often the viewpoints you hold near and dear are based on a platform developed by others who care little for anything other than what is best for them; and that viewpoint can change with the wind and when it changes, YOU MUST change with it. 

Our ability to reason and calmly debate is, or should be, a significant part of our humanity.  We have lost the ability to debate.  Not so long ago the art of debate was taught in our public schools but has been pushed aside; why it has been removed from the curriculum is anyone’s guess.  We have become all too willing to forfeit our “reasoning” in exchange for the good feeling of standing on what we have been told is the moral high ground.  Claiming the moral high ground is easier than becoming familiar with the art of honest debate. We must take on the position and attitude of “our team,” or stand accused and be ostracized; to be cast out. You must be ostracized. Our cancel culture points that out on a daily basis.  Anything short of public annihilation, and you may stand out as someone who is above the fray; someone willing to walk a different direction; one who demonstrates discernment and has an ability to reason, most importantly someone who can think for themselves; you are a major threat to them. Your dismissal has been mandated.

If, when faced with historical and current fact, we are unwilling to admit we may be wrong and admit our error, then it must be said arrogance has replaced intellect, humility and integrity. If our viewpoint cannot tolerate debate or abide remarks meant to question, then we have by our own making placed ourselves in shackles and do the bidding of a misguided cause. We have become nothing more than a puppet. Do not let others dictate your thoughts, your beliefs, your passions nor allow your viewpoint to be guided solely by the whims of others. Are there absolutes? Yes. Be willing to stand up for them. Be willing to stand alone for them. Absolute truths do not need defending, but a cordial debate is healthy. If a debate quickly turns into a personal attack, then take that as an indicator that the “truth” being presented is lacking.  With regard to absolutes… others can question it and others can deny it, but their opinion does not diminish that truth, regardless of fierce and unrelenting attacks.  Do not fear being an outcast, it may be the only thing that saves you.