"Think of people you consider fanatical. They're overbearing, self-righteous, opinionated, insensitive, and harsh. Why? It's not because they are too Christian but because they are not Christian enough. They are fanatically zealous and courageous, but they are not fanatically humble, sensitive, loving, empathetic, forgiving, or understanding—as Christ was. Because they think of Christianity as a self-improvement program they emulate the Jesus of the whips"
- Timothy Keller
Am striving so hard never to touch any issue involving politics. Though, I've been an avid follower of the Senate hearings lately, I try not to be so invested in it to the point of spilling my thoughts all over social media. Quite tempting to engage in discussions here and there, really, but what will it profit anyone or anything if I do?
My mental-snapshots put into words: The assemblies had turned into farcical spectacles with its troupers mixing up their roles. While their supporters yakking on the sidelines acting like juries. And social media has become an extended avenue for them and their henchmen to employ gratis infomercials where they creatively assert their clashing vantage points. There's just too much hullabaloo following the appointment of PD30.
...And that's just about how I rather describe the happenings. But there is no need to single out and talk smack anyone. No need to look at everything with critical eyes. I sure do have untold imperfections of my own to deal with. So little time so much (far better things) to do!
Why am writing this is because we may all be entitled to our personal opinions, but seriously, there's no need to keep blurting them out. Doing so only suggests we're shoving down each other's throats each other's opinions, being fully convinced that ours is way better. Exposes the neediness inside of us for praises and attention. It's just sick! If I'm wrong then why the need to assert personal opinions and resort to name-calling? We can all simply keep our opinions safely secured within the walls of our homes, and it's just fine. The planets will still remain in their orbits. We are not required nor demanded to always have an opinion about everything to breathe. Our opinion is not mandatory, especially, if they're not gonna be of any benefit but just adds more bruise to the already injured world.
It's timely, actually, cause I was really contemplating on writing about being opinionated. I didn't intend to write it in this way, though. But, then I read a post that was overly opinionated. Not to mention disparaging! None of us has any right to discredit anyone only because we hold firmly to our opinion. And it's totally foul to slur the rest of everyone else whose beliefs and opinions are at odds with ours for crying out loud!
Regardless of our educational background, title, and social status (compared to the persons next to us), we are not to belittle anyone. Enough of name-calling and then class certain people as idiotic. Being educated yet without discretion makes one abhorrent. We can't demand diplomacy from others when we won't even initiate it ourselves. Many condemn our president for his foul-mouth saying he's messing the country's reputation. Now look who's talking?!!! Trash talking each other on social media isn't proving we're no different from him?!!! By keeping our eyes on others, we only multiply them. What we condemn others of, we must condemn in us first.
I was about to hit send when it dawned on me that it would be better if I just blog it than stir up disputations in another's backyard. After all, it's their wall. They can fill it with bitter remarks all they want and it shouldn't be my business. Just I can't let pass why the need to be so condescending. Leave others alone to their opinion for goodness' sake! They're not dumbos for having minds of their own. We shouldn't give ourselves the right to look down on anyone for we all do have our own weak spots. We all are defective, and that doesn't give anyone any right to vilify us even so. *sigh*
Here's the comment I intended to post (edited):
Everyone falls into *this, if truth be told. All have tendencies to be *one-sided and then strongly argue their position; believe firmly what was established in their minds with or without conclusive evidence; and maintain that those who think differently are crackpots.
Thing is, there are too many considerations to assess for any of us to give premature conclusions (on anything). Senator Gordon set a very good example: to dig for beyond a shadow of doubt truth, we must allow perusal sans prejudice. Problem is, we all come from differing opinions. We speak with partiality because we all want to prove our points by way of assertion. We desperately want to convince others what we so believe in and if they don't, we revile their judgments and then them as individuals. Hence, the bashing.
One group says the other group is taking the public for a ride and on a separate interview the other group also accuses the former group the same. It's funny how both parties are theorizing there's a trend to silence whatever. Well, from the audience seat I'd say, they aren't anymore functioning as investigators, but tacticians. Now that's an opinion plainly spoken, but clear of derision.
As onlookers, however, we should just be on the ball, carefully observing without bias. Without having to cling too much to what we hold as true in order to make fair judgment. We can't all see from one perspective and that makes us all unqualified jurists. Yet, we boldly shout out our two cents, "hey here's my mind, case solved!" When, in fact, we only help turn things into a train wreck.
Our goal should be unity. The voice given to us, our freedom of expression, should be accompanied by prudence and decorum. And the purpose should be for harmony and not discord. We express ourselves through communication not to ruffle each other's feathers but to articulate our minds for the purpose of understanding. Not necessarily to make everyone agree, but to make them understand where we're coming from. And no matter how differently we think and feel, we must respect everyone's prerogative. We don't need to always agree with each other, we only need to allow diversity.
Respect is everyone's birthright. We may say it has to be earned...true, in many cases. Some really deserve scoffing because they asked for it. Nevertheless, we respect not because they deserve it, but because we are respectful. "A tree is known by its fruit." What we do or say reflects the quality of what we're made of. It's a shame to point at anyone and calling them names yet not self-aware we're also doing the same thing they're doing. You say someone is boorish? Go check your status postsssss (reflect on your unspoken thoughts, too) before you give yourself the right to focus on the speck on your neighbor's eyes.
Never define anyone or anything by your opinion because you sure don't wanna be defined by their opinion...or do you? Have your opinion, fine. But keep things straight. Don't be pushy. You see, even the normally sensible people dissolve into blabbering, overweening, blinkered and pompous schmucks. We can be as opinionated as we want to be, the world allows us that. But let's just not be vindictive and come around blurting our thoughts out unprovoked.
"There’s nothing wrong with being well informed and developing strong opinions. The temptation is when we feel the need to express them, even when it may not be our place to do so."
"Fools don’t want to learn from others. They only want to tell their own ideas." [Proverbs 18:2]
"I tell you that everyone will have to answer for all the careless things they have said. This will happen on the day of judgment."
- Jesus
[Matthew 12:36]
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