Site search
sponsored by
News
ENLARGE
Jocoy
I do not believe I am speaking alone when state that I, or, we, are weary of the regular demoralizing of people or groups who disagree with another's viewpoint.
There are increasingly few places left where people are challenged to carefully and considerately understand another's opinion. Politics is no doubt the worst venue for healthy dialogue. Such negativity has spilled over to many syndicated columnists published in newspapers and posted on the Internet. The public forum section of many local papers regularly publish opinions that are caustic, accusatory and border on being slanderous.
Just some of the sparring is between Republicans versus Democrats and vise versa. Liberals versus conservatives. Creationists versus evolutionists. Citizens up in arms against other citizens. Those for a project. Those opposed. Communities mad at other communities. Businesses. Schools. Angry Bible-thumpers. Perhaps most insidious material is found on some blog sites that even get published. Such venomous authors are not even required to sign their names at the bottom of their derogatory statements.
I witnessed some of the worst conduct ever at a recent local playoff softball game. Several spectators were becoming irate over any decision by the umpire that did not go their way. Practically every call appeared to be on the mark, but on one, the umpire's head was turned and he didn't see the whole picture. He called “safe” when a runner was likely out. What happened?
Out spewed some of the most demoralizing and degrading terms I have heard in many years. All around these red-faced shouters were children.
When the game was over and the ump walked past his accusers, they said nothing. Ten minutes before, he wasn't a person. He was a “merely” an umpire. A figure. A label. A hired person (and way underpaid!) Now, he walked past them as a man. A regular guy (a big guy at that!). They had to face him as a man. They said nothing.
What has happened to civility in the public forum? Why must we tear down another person so we can feel big? Isn't the reason that people must destroy other's opinions, motives and character found in the fact that they are insecure in their own?
Instead of taking the high road of decency and respect, we are settling for the gutter of volume and inflammatory comments. Why should people volunteer to serve in local government, school boards and civic groups only to be harassed by others' unwillingness to step up and do the same?
President Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his enemies. “Why do you try to make friends of them?” asked an associate. “You should try to destroy them.” “Am I not destroying my enemies,” Lincoln gently replied, “when I make them my friends?”
During a time of great hurt and disappointment, the Lord said to His rebellious people, “Come now, let us reason together, thought your sins are like scarlet, they will be made white as snow,” (Isaiah 1:18). Jesus declared that people are acting like God when they seek to resolve differences, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9).
Those of us who consider ourselves Americans on this Independence Day might reflect on the God's given rights we all share. The freedom of expression gives us the right to disagree, even stringently at times. Yet, it does not include vilifying and destroying people in the process. We can and must do better.
Dan Jocoy is minister for the Tri-City Church of Christ.
From the Pulpit is an occasional Friday feature of The News-Review written by Douglas County religious leaders. Submissions should be 450 to 600 words and based on scripture or personal experience. They should include the writer's name, street address, religious organization and a daytime phone number. Submit columns to Assistant City Editor Tricia Jones at tricia.jones@nrtoday.com.
There are increasingly few places left where people are challenged to carefully and considerately understand another's opinion. Politics is no doubt the worst venue for healthy dialogue. Such negativity has spilled over to many syndicated columnists published in newspapers and posted on the Internet. The public forum section of many local papers regularly publish opinions that are caustic, accusatory and border on being slanderous.
Just some of the sparring is between Republicans versus Democrats and vise versa. Liberals versus conservatives. Creationists versus evolutionists. Citizens up in arms against other citizens. Those for a project. Those opposed. Communities mad at other communities. Businesses. Schools. Angry Bible-thumpers. Perhaps most insidious material is found on some blog sites that even get published. Such venomous authors are not even required to sign their names at the bottom of their derogatory statements.
I witnessed some of the worst conduct ever at a recent local playoff softball game. Several spectators were becoming irate over any decision by the umpire that did not go their way. Practically every call appeared to be on the mark, but on one, the umpire's head was turned and he didn't see the whole picture. He called “safe” when a runner was likely out. What happened?
Out spewed some of the most demoralizing and degrading terms I have heard in many years. All around these red-faced shouters were children.
When the game was over and the ump walked past his accusers, they said nothing. Ten minutes before, he wasn't a person. He was a “merely” an umpire. A figure. A label. A hired person (and way underpaid!) Now, he walked past them as a man. A regular guy (a big guy at that!). They had to face him as a man. They said nothing.
What has happened to civility in the public forum? Why must we tear down another person so we can feel big? Isn't the reason that people must destroy other's opinions, motives and character found in the fact that they are insecure in their own?
Instead of taking the high road of decency and respect, we are settling for the gutter of volume and inflammatory comments. Why should people volunteer to serve in local government, school boards and civic groups only to be harassed by others' unwillingness to step up and do the same?
President Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his enemies. “Why do you try to make friends of them?” asked an associate. “You should try to destroy them.” “Am I not destroying my enemies,” Lincoln gently replied, “when I make them my friends?”
During a time of great hurt and disappointment, the Lord said to His rebellious people, “Come now, let us reason together, thought your sins are like scarlet, they will be made white as snow,” (Isaiah 1:18). Jesus declared that people are acting like God when they seek to resolve differences, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9).
Those of us who consider ourselves Americans on this Independence Day might reflect on the God's given rights we all share. The freedom of expression gives us the right to disagree, even stringently at times. Yet, it does not include vilifying and destroying people in the process. We can and must do better.
Dan Jocoy is minister for the Tri-City Church of Christ.
From the Pulpit is an occasional Friday feature of The News-Review written by Douglas County religious leaders. Submissions should be 450 to 600 words and based on scripture or personal experience. They should include the writer's name, street address, religious organization and a daytime phone number. Submit columns to Assistant City Editor Tricia Jones at tricia.jones@nrtoday.com.
