Don’t Stop Believing (Part 2 of 2)

It’s frustrating to me when a word becomes so politicized that it loses its real meaning. Long before “ideology” became a victim of our pluralistic political correctness, “discrimination” became a complete taboo. Of course there is foolish, destructive, and baseless discrimination; and there are as many opinions as there are people (sometimes more). Still, it seems that the principal of being sensibly discriminating—as in taste or with good sense—seems to be the baby thrown out with the bath water.

Discrimination—or a better word would be discernment—requires conviction of belief that seems hard to come by these days in popular culture. We’ve seen too many crusaders exposed as hypocrites or defeated by adversaries. We’ve practically given up on having elected representatives that actually represent us or govern with integrity. Many of us have sworn off faith in a Bible that seems outdated or a marriage that seems to run out of love or a country that’s extravagant or unjust. We’ve almost lost the will to believe in anything beyond ourselves, or so we might think. But we can’t help but expose our beliefs in greater ideals; we literally can’t live without them. And, as I mentioned in my previous article—despite how politically incorrect or distasteful it is—we all make judgments based on them. But because we’re understandably uncomfortable with the notion of being judgmental—either due to insecurity or the belief that we’ll appear intolerant—we’ve let sound judgment fall into disrepair. Here are a few thoughts that might help us reclaim it:

If we are to judge, then what standard can we use?

Settling on a standard is perhaps the most difficult problem. An endless number of religions vary greatly in their teachings and lead to an endless array of ideals. This can be easily seen in the opposition of fundamentalist muslims to their jewish neighbors (and the Christians who ally with them), as well as within most any single denomination of the Christian church—not to mention between denominations or between Protestants and Catholics. Even with agreement on one holy text, innumerable interpretations are possible. And if you toss out the doctrines at the root of such disputes, you’re left with no existential standard handed down and written in stone. Standards can be extracted from the natural order (such as the perpetuation of the species or the advancement of knowledge) but these beliefs can be held with a religious fervor that leads to just as much strife.

If appealing to the basis of our belief isn’t sufficient, we can appeal to the results. Most philosophies and ideals have a track record, but the problem is that they’re often spotty at best. Combine that with our penchant for seeing history through our own lens, and you’re left with less than reliable evidence. Forecasting results that haven’t occurred is even less helpful (as we’ve seen with the environmentalist movement).

We’ll never all agree on one standard by which to measure values and ideals. So we must use reason, undergirded by evidence, to knit together—or as a basis for the adoption of—an ideology that is practical, meaningful, and can stand up under scrutiny.

Who are we to judge (are we superior or inferior)?

Such an endless supply of ideals and rationales are enough to make a person throw up their hands, but it won’t solve our problems. In the absence of certainty and universal agreement, it’s tempting to either abandon our ideals at the first sign of trouble or to arrogantly (and ignorantly) assert our superiority. But it was not the German people or the radical muslims that were themselves inferior, it was—or is—their ideology. And this is not something that can be invented by some great boon of progress as if we make the rules in this universe. Truth is discovered. That makes us humble recipients. And, unless one of us has gotten it perfectly right on every point, we are flawed recipients—believing (rightly and wrongly) what is real, what works, and what is good about a universe not of our own making. And, if that weren’t enough, a Christian such as myself believes that it can only be discovered if it is revealed by the very hand of God—bestowed based on no merit of our own. Where is the arrogance in that?

But we are all free agents who are born to make our own choices—both in our own lives, and as far as our voice impacts and determines our culture. As the saying goes, “If you do not stand for something, you will fall for anything.” So it’s crucial to develop and maintain the power of your own voice—the significance of your life and the course it takes based on your beliefs. Consider the great leaders who have changed the course of history…now consider their mother and father and close confidant…and if you open your mind up enough, you will realize that everything—and everyone—matters. And if what we do is rooted in what we believe, then our every belief matters.

Who are we to judge? We are the very ones whose beliefs and choices will help determine the course of our life, the lives around us, and ultimately human history.

What are we to do with our judgments?

So, if we choose or devise a sensible, defensible ideological standard and humbly form an opinion that is contrary to someone else’s, what then? On some level, this happens all the time since we’re all different and have diverse perspectives and beliefs. Thankfully, we don’t go into every human interaction with guns blazing, ready to assert our will. Nor need we bow and submit to a daily ideological adjustment. Many of our differences are preferences that have little impact on each other or the world at large, but often our beliefs do lead to actions that do have significance—from how we use our resources to disciplining our children to whom we vote for.

So, what do we do when we’re confronted with that which we deem significant and judge as faulty, wrong, or downright evil? I believe the first principle is to engage, which may run counter to the politically-correct tolerant spirt of our age. 18th-century author Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” And, if you’re the type to take scripture under advisement, the previously mentioned verse in Proverbs 31:9 says in its entirety, “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” So, we start with verbal engagement—to seek understanding and put forth our ideals. This could change our beliefs or diffuse the conflict. But if not—and if necessary—we do what we must to defend whom or what needs defending. This can hopefully be done diplomatically through persuasion and, in some cases, compromise. In other cases, compromise is inappropriate or impossible and a more assertive stance is called for that may require arbitration, assistance, or even force. In any case, humility and great wisdom is called for if we intend to break the law or trespass the beliefs of another (as our government has the increasing habit of doing).

The prophet Micah tells us “to act justly and to love mercy”, and Jesus instructed his followers to “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” The point is to do the difficult work of marrying positive, gracious motives with bold action. This applies to corporate action (such as international diplomacy and domestic governance) or to personal relations. There are ideals which lead a man to lay down his life for another man, or to kill another man in defense of something greater. Our lush American lifestyle has spared most of us from facing such difficult choices, but we’re electing men and women who do make such significant choices regularly.

None of us have it all figured out, but let us be good stewards of the lives we’re given and the meaning that it has. Let us not be foolish, but to seek and to find—and ultimately to believe—the truth. And then, with humble determination, let us act on that of which we are convinced. We cannot afford to lose our bearings and, consequently, to let our country lose its way.

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