Saturday, September 06, 2008

Are you using politics as an excuse....


This morning as I was thinking about what I know as well as how much I don't know about the candidates I realized the tendency we have to make a decision and then just validate it more and more without really educating ourselves.

What I do know is that if you aren't informed enough to respect the other side and understand why their opinion and policies make sense then you don't know enough for your opinion to matter.

If you are you using politics as an excuse to blame someone, hate someone, or point the finger, (which I've certainly found myself guilty of it in the past and in so many more arenas than politics) then stop yourself and think for a minute...reverse your position just for fun and think about why 50% of the country disagrees with you and it'll help you approach this in a much better way.

10 comments:

.Alli.son. said...

AMEN.

...and why I believe we should all practice debating. When you are forced to construct an argument for something you don't necessarily agree with, you begin to understand why others may hold that opinion. Moreover, it's healthy and humbling to recognize the complexities in any point of contention. There's always a level of sense and validity in any belief someone holds. Until we listen enough to step into their understanding, we can't have a true conversation.

Great post love!

Anonymous said...

AMEN from me too. There is so much ugliness flying around in the world of politics, even from people who claim to be about loving others. Loving might just start with listening.

Unknown said...

LOVE IT! So true too, debating is the only way to resolution and compromise.

Communication.

Erin Harvey said...

Great post! This is also a great way to get through to people on the side opposing your own view. If you know where they're coming from, you can help them understand your stance. I was taught to always put myself in someone else's shoes to better understand them. Still hold true.

Unknown said...

I understand the importance of debating, and the importance of humbling yourself and putting your opinion aside to listen to another's,... but then I think about the fact that 40 million babies have been aborted since the ruling of Roe v. Wade and I realize my decision is made. If that reason alone is my deciding factor, then I'm ok with taking all the remarks about ignorant voting because we are at a crucial hour in our nations' history and what I want to be held accountable for is what matters in eternity, and not whether drilling for oil in Alaska should/shouldn't be done...

While it may be true that it's important to stand in the other side's shoes and look at it from their viewpoint, it is a scary, scary day when I RESPECT an opinion that wasn't birthed from the Throne, and comes against the knowledge of Jesus Christ. To respect is to admire, and the only One worthy of my admiration is God.

(This wasn't me responding AT ALL out of anger, or frustration, but rather out of a burden for the future of our nation and for future unborn generations.)

Ginger Murray said...

Couldn't agree more with you about your thoughts in the bold.

Ginger Murray said...

(However, might I add that "respect" doesn't always mean "agree with.")

Ginger Murray said...

(...if there is confusion in my two statements the 2nd statement is an addition to the statement in bold...)

michelle peek said...

In this time in our world there is a line drawn right down the middle. I hope that I am always able to stand for truth and listen to another view and understand where they are coming from. In the past so many do not want to take time to understand and we just decide the other side is wrong. May we stand strong in love and try to understand our brother.

Chris+Lynn said...

Awesome post.