How to Find Truth in a Polarized Era
“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” Proverbs 12:15.
My good friend and I chatted in a coffee shop. The usual topics filtered through our chatter … supply chain issues, covid 19, bad politicians, sucky people. We were sure to avoid the theological idea of “eternal salvation” because I wasn’t sure we’d ever compromise there. I had the truth–not her. LOL (And I’m not telling you my position here. That’s for a later post).
We’d just experienced the most magnificent hike. Light snow dusted the trees like powdered sugar. I had stood 
on the trail and turned in circles because one awesome view lead to another to another to the beginning view and started over.
As we sipped our reward for hiking in the snow and cold, we realized one thing. We didn’t agree on everything. Sometimes, the thoughts she shared cut through my belief systems. I understood where she came from and shifted my opinion.
I know, the philosophies I hold altered some of hers just as hers altered mine
No one holds the key to absolute truth except God
- Refusing to listen is the ultimate hubris. Who knows everything?
- Refusing to talk things over only perpetuates lies. Anti-vaccine people have some truth. Pro-covid vaccine people have the truth, too.
- We are more alike than different. We need to respect others even when we disagree. Even when we know they are absolutely wrong–and there are times the other is wrong. Respect doesn’t mean we accept the philosophy. Respect is loving another as Jesus loves us (John 13:35). With respect, people will listen.
In my book (on sale for 99¢ through 2/24/22 12 am) A New York Yankee on Stinking Creek illustrates this point perfectly. What do an atheist and a conservative preacher’s wife have in common? More than you think.
Sadly, we Americans have polarized ourselves. We’ve determined what is true and then refuse to listen to another viewpoint or see someone who thinks differently as Jesus sees him or her. Listen, learn and become all God has for you.
2 Comments
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Author Carol McClain
Respect. Yes, Carol, you nailed it. Throughout childhood, my friends, acquaintances, and I often disagreed with the statement, “Who died and appointed you God?” In our youthful way, we recognized God knew the truth about everything and we needed to learn respect for that truth and curb our know-it-all attitude.
I love For King and Country. One song “Relate” says, “We’re all the same in different kinds of ways, …” This statement is so true. We have the same needs. We hope and dream and cry and break. We need to talk. Through listening, we can come closer to the truth.