tribalism, especially in terms of politics, is a scourge upon mankind. I am the only one I know who doesn't take part in it; I am truly not aligned with any narrow philosophy, I don't, and never have taken part in people's sides, I just don't see the point. All it does in society is to disrupt, divide, isolate, and sever our interpersonal bonds as simple and mortal beings. I know that many people defend tribalism, or to put it in a more common vernacular, alliances, and in particular for this conversation, conservatives and progressives, as a way to accomplish more together then can be done alone, but all I see of people who take part in this "us versus them" mentality is various levels of isolationism, arrogance, and hatred.
People no longer want to intermingle with others who represent different views and ideas. If you claim you want to make the world a better place, how can that be done if we cannot be civil and accepting of one another?. The future starts with us, we as individuals, whose personal interactions propagate into what can almost laughably be called civilization, for I see no civility in regard to people who subscribe to tribalism. Of Course the main defense of this unified way of thinking is to claim that what you believe in is a fact and not debatable.
I'm not here to debate the philosophical ideas of subjective versus objective truth or reality. I have my own ideas on what is true and real, but that's not the subject I wish to address. People will always have there own ideas of what is true and real and moral, and it's only natural to form groups and alliances to both further your cause and to feel accepted by piers. But to me, if it leads to alienation and disharmony with opposing groups, I want nothing to do with it. I'll use a real world example that people use to refute these kind of ideas. It is often the case that those who fight against those who would limit freedom or spread hatred, say the KKK in this case, it is assumed that it is normal and right to hate such people. I disagree.
MLK was right when he talked about loving our enemies, in reference to Christ's teachings. If people of good character love their friends and hate their enemies, how are they any different than those who they fight against? If you want to differentiate yourself from your enemies in the eyes of the world, fallow King's and Christ's example. Loving your enemies is harder than hating them, but if you do, aside from moral considerations, it endears people to you and to your fight against haters. But if you mock or show anger to haters, stooping to their level, you've lost the moral high ground.
For most of political history in democratic countries, the common people got along with those who were in opposing parties. It was the politicians and the pundits in the media who promoted uncivilized behavior. Now, you're almost considered a freak of you don't hate the "other side". It is them who fosters our animosity towards those we disagree with, but it doesn't, and hasn't, always been that way. I personally take no sides, not only because of the moral objections I've stated, but because no single side in politics encompasses enough of my beliefs to warrant my support. I have positions that are all over the political spectrum. I don't see how it's considered healthy for people to have only one orientation on every issue, ie, right or left.
Maybe that's why in America just over half of eligible voters chose not to vote. I never seem to hear people talking about them, the non voters, in any substantive way. The subject of non voters is usually not mentioned at all, or are derided as dumb. What if many of them simply don't feel like they are being represented by either conservatives or progressives? Most every voter, on both sides, seem to think that anyway. politicians are for money, not the people. The amount of exceptions can be counted on one hand.
Would people hate the "other side" nearly as much if they weren't encouraged to by talking points and talking heads? Like I've said, it wasn't always this way. Politics is tribalism, weather by accident or by design. It is used to pit the people against each other instead of against a broken system. What does it gain you to hate another side? Does it make your life better? Do you feel better, being constantly told that they are evil and must be defeeted? Isn't that a stressful way to live your life? I don't understand why any person would choose that, and I'm not alone.
I'm not addressing this to people who have already solidified themselves firmly in any given political ideology. They won't listen to anything that encourages unification between so called enemies, but is there enough people who can open their hearts and minds to peace, to love our assumed enemies? I really doubt it, and believe me, I'm no optimist. I'm writing this mainly for my own peace of mind. I see how people treat each other nowadays, choosing this primitive tribalism, if only to feel like they fit in and are accepted. I ask you to think through life through a more evolved prism, to not let those who would take advantage of our differences and turn them against us. Please work for a better tomorrow by working for relationships with people instead of ideas that are used against others.
People no longer want to intermingle with others who represent different views and ideas. If you claim you want to make the world a better place, how can that be done if we cannot be civil and accepting of one another?. The future starts with us, we as individuals, whose personal interactions propagate into what can almost laughably be called civilization, for I see no civility in regard to people who subscribe to tribalism. Of Course the main defense of this unified way of thinking is to claim that what you believe in is a fact and not debatable.
I'm not here to debate the philosophical ideas of subjective versus objective truth or reality. I have my own ideas on what is true and real, but that's not the subject I wish to address. People will always have there own ideas of what is true and real and moral, and it's only natural to form groups and alliances to both further your cause and to feel accepted by piers. But to me, if it leads to alienation and disharmony with opposing groups, I want nothing to do with it. I'll use a real world example that people use to refute these kind of ideas. It is often the case that those who fight against those who would limit freedom or spread hatred, say the KKK in this case, it is assumed that it is normal and right to hate such people. I disagree.
MLK was right when he talked about loving our enemies, in reference to Christ's teachings. If people of good character love their friends and hate their enemies, how are they any different than those who they fight against? If you want to differentiate yourself from your enemies in the eyes of the world, fallow King's and Christ's example. Loving your enemies is harder than hating them, but if you do, aside from moral considerations, it endears people to you and to your fight against haters. But if you mock or show anger to haters, stooping to their level, you've lost the moral high ground.
For most of political history in democratic countries, the common people got along with those who were in opposing parties. It was the politicians and the pundits in the media who promoted uncivilized behavior. Now, you're almost considered a freak of you don't hate the "other side". It is them who fosters our animosity towards those we disagree with, but it doesn't, and hasn't, always been that way. I personally take no sides, not only because of the moral objections I've stated, but because no single side in politics encompasses enough of my beliefs to warrant my support. I have positions that are all over the political spectrum. I don't see how it's considered healthy for people to have only one orientation on every issue, ie, right or left.
Maybe that's why in America just over half of eligible voters chose not to vote. I never seem to hear people talking about them, the non voters, in any substantive way. The subject of non voters is usually not mentioned at all, or are derided as dumb. What if many of them simply don't feel like they are being represented by either conservatives or progressives? Most every voter, on both sides, seem to think that anyway. politicians are for money, not the people. The amount of exceptions can be counted on one hand.
Would people hate the "other side" nearly as much if they weren't encouraged to by talking points and talking heads? Like I've said, it wasn't always this way. Politics is tribalism, weather by accident or by design. It is used to pit the people against each other instead of against a broken system. What does it gain you to hate another side? Does it make your life better? Do you feel better, being constantly told that they are evil and must be defeeted? Isn't that a stressful way to live your life? I don't understand why any person would choose that, and I'm not alone.
I'm not addressing this to people who have already solidified themselves firmly in any given political ideology. They won't listen to anything that encourages unification between so called enemies, but is there enough people who can open their hearts and minds to peace, to love our assumed enemies? I really doubt it, and believe me, I'm no optimist. I'm writing this mainly for my own peace of mind. I see how people treat each other nowadays, choosing this primitive tribalism, if only to feel like they fit in and are accepted. I ask you to think through life through a more evolved prism, to not let those who would take advantage of our differences and turn them against us. Please work for a better tomorrow by working for relationships with people instead of ideas that are used against others.
