Hey y'all.... so I have a question.... and it is not pointed outward because I have been guilty of what I will discuss. The question is "how do we improve the quality of debate in our lives and at CF?"
I know that we don't need more talk of SSM but I will use it as an example for what I am really getting at. There are two basic sides to this debate: Pro and Anti. On the pro side, we have a tendency to discredit everything that comes from the other side as "bigotted", "homophobic", etc. Using such language is not only simplistic (as it ignores the deep spiritual reasons for which one might believe that homosexuality is wrong), it also cuts off meaningful discussion with its accusatory tone. Who would want to be civil with someone who had just called them a biggot?
The same thing happens on the other side. Absolute statements about the immorality of homosexuality short0circuit meaningful discussion through the same process.
The problem is that we all believe deeply in what we are saying. It would be dishonest for someone to deny their belief regarding the sinful nature of an act just as it would be dishonest of me to deny that I find that SOME Christians draw on biggotry as much as they draw on spirituality in their condemnation of homosexuality. LAF has quite persuasively spoken to the importance that he places on speaking what his faith instructs. Can we ask him to deny that responsibility? Absolutely not. Can someone tell me to not use the word "biggot" when I see biggotry? Absolutely not.
So, what do we do? This question is easily resolved by deciding how we understand teh purpose of this forum. If it is just to yell at each other, than I think that we should change nothing. If however we wish to be productive (and this is not limited to SSM... this is about EVERYTHING), I suggest that we need to find a new way to interact.... we need the right to be honest about who we are and what we believe.... but we also have the responsibility to be respectful of others regardless of what they believe.
I doubt very much that any of us can change each other's minds. However, I do believe that we can interact in such a way that we can understand where we are all coming from... so that when we hit heavy debates we won't fall into the trap of simply stereotyping each other.... we will be able to deal with each other and see that differing opinions (no matter how wrong they seem to us) are sincerely held by our brothers and sisters here at CF.
Falling back to the example, do I wish that everyone supported SSM? Sure I do. Do I understand that many of those who oppose it do so based on principle and faith? Aboslutely. Do I think that they are wrong? Yes. Do I treat them with disrespect because of this? I have at times but I hope that in the future I will be able to say "Absolutely not."
I don't know how this happens but I think that we need to find that space. If anyone has any ideas, please share them with us.
I know that we don't need more talk of SSM but I will use it as an example for what I am really getting at. There are two basic sides to this debate: Pro and Anti. On the pro side, we have a tendency to discredit everything that comes from the other side as "bigotted", "homophobic", etc. Using such language is not only simplistic (as it ignores the deep spiritual reasons for which one might believe that homosexuality is wrong), it also cuts off meaningful discussion with its accusatory tone. Who would want to be civil with someone who had just called them a biggot?
The same thing happens on the other side. Absolute statements about the immorality of homosexuality short0circuit meaningful discussion through the same process.
The problem is that we all believe deeply in what we are saying. It would be dishonest for someone to deny their belief regarding the sinful nature of an act just as it would be dishonest of me to deny that I find that SOME Christians draw on biggotry as much as they draw on spirituality in their condemnation of homosexuality. LAF has quite persuasively spoken to the importance that he places on speaking what his faith instructs. Can we ask him to deny that responsibility? Absolutely not. Can someone tell me to not use the word "biggot" when I see biggotry? Absolutely not.
So, what do we do? This question is easily resolved by deciding how we understand teh purpose of this forum. If it is just to yell at each other, than I think that we should change nothing. If however we wish to be productive (and this is not limited to SSM... this is about EVERYTHING), I suggest that we need to find a new way to interact.... we need the right to be honest about who we are and what we believe.... but we also have the responsibility to be respectful of others regardless of what they believe.
I doubt very much that any of us can change each other's minds. However, I do believe that we can interact in such a way that we can understand where we are all coming from... so that when we hit heavy debates we won't fall into the trap of simply stereotyping each other.... we will be able to deal with each other and see that differing opinions (no matter how wrong they seem to us) are sincerely held by our brothers and sisters here at CF.
Falling back to the example, do I wish that everyone supported SSM? Sure I do. Do I understand that many of those who oppose it do so based on principle and faith? Aboslutely. Do I think that they are wrong? Yes. Do I treat them with disrespect because of this? I have at times but I hope that in the future I will be able to say "Absolutely not."
I don't know how this happens but I think that we need to find that space. If anyone has any ideas, please share them with us.