All God's Creatures Have a Place in the Choir

I heard that in a lyric recently. It made me think. 

It made me think about the current state of politics in America--where people spend more time criticizing the views of others than espousing their own beliefs, in the 'public square'. It appears that being a critic is more politically correct, and safer, than stating one's own beliefs. But I can see why--when one does state an opinion and the massese descend on it in critique...well it's a vicious cycle.

The current presidential race is proof of this phenomenon--there is rarely a point-blank listing of positions by a candidate. All of the air time is spent railing on the opponent and how bad they are, or how dangerous they will be if elected. Or in stretching the truth to put a negative spin of misinformation out there to cloud the details of their own record. It's a sad state--and sadder that the majority of voters rely on the media for deciding, for them, who to support.

I don't like it.

This world is an amazing collection of individuals with different experiences and perspectives. We do better when we all discuss the issues fully vs. fighting over them. Instead of fearing diversity we should embrace it and appreciate the exploration of various ideas. We need to discuss and discuss and discuss more--but avoid resorting to personal attacks on the voice, or the person using it. That just leads to states of dictatorship.

America was founded on the belief that every voice had the right to be heard, Sure, it also guaranteed the right of others to voice disagreement--but not to disparage the person as inferior if the perspectives conflicted with there own.

Feel fre to disagree with me, even argue with me...but don't attack my person. 

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous