Hardening of the Heart
“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Matt 13:15
Last week I had a fairly frustrating and disturbing correspondence with someone regarding real threat posed by radical Islamists today. What was disturbing about the correspondence is that this person was so invested in their view that they refused to even consider that perhaps the facts about the potential loss of life don’t support the current level of anxiety or spending.
Just to give you a little context, the conservative view espoused by this person is that our viability as a nation is at risk as a result of the jihad let by al-Qaeda. As a result, we should physically seal our borders with soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder if necessary, refuse entry to any Middle Eastern Muslim, and imprison those already in this country who oppose our government’s policies. He feels strongly that these policies are necessary to keep his family safe and those (like me) who think this is both impractical and excessive are traitors who are putting themselves and the rest of the country in mortal danger.
You can write someone like this off as a part of the lunatic fringe, and he very well may be, but what was disturbing about the whole episode is his absolute refusal to engage in any sort of fact-based dialog. I’m willing to consider just about any point of view if you can bring the facts to back it up. If you can prove, for example, that the Laffer theory of cutting taxes to spur economic growth works, I’ll have to reconsider my current view that it is just an excuse for the Republican party to pay off their rich patrons. On the other hand if I’m able to bring up facts that call your theories into question, like the fact that one of the longest most profitable economic expansions in our history occurred right after a period when taxes on the wealthy were increased, I expect you to offer me the same courtesy.
It’s this active dialog that preserves the balance which drives our democratic process forward. It also forces people to form opinions based on research and discussion rather than rhetoric and ideology.
Unfortunately, there appears to be a distressing lack of constructive dialog in the country starting at the very top of our government and reaching through the media right down to individual citizens. It’s the sense that people are unwilling to let facts stand in the way of a good opinion. That can only lead to more confrontation, frustration, and recrimination.
This isn’t anything new. Even Jesus faced similar challenges in His healing ministry. His message of love and understanding healed every disease and overcame death. He could walk through the streets and people only had to briefly touch Him to be healed. But there were those whom even He couldn’t reach. The pool at Bethesda was surrounded by hundreds who believed the moving water would heal them. Only one was open to the thought that Jesus might be a better choice. Those in His home town were going to kill Him rather than admit that this boy they knew growing up could be the Christ. I suppose the lesson for us is even after all of that He still loved them.
February 2nd, 2007 at 8:57 am
When faced with people who passiontly voice their opinions, but can not respect me enough to allow me to voice mine. I remind myself that it respresents how fragile and weak their opinions are otherwise they would welcome banter from an opposing thought. They most likely are not solid in their beliefs and are trying to protect their views from contamination. When you really believe in a point of view it will make no difference what others will say you will not be swayed. If per chance the other person brings up an idea I had not heard it gives me an oppurtunity to consider the issue. Basiclly it is immaturity.
February 2nd, 2007 at 9:34 am
Mary,
Thanks for your wise words.
I have to regularly remind myself that Jesus didn’t promise us a path of roses. He certainly also held people accountable for their views and often called them out in public when they were misleading others. But he was also tender and patient with those who were sincerely trying to learn this radical new way of thinking about themselves and others. There is clearly an example for us to follow, but I’ve got to do the work in my own thought to try to see everyone in the same way that Jesus saw them.
Jeff