Values: Loving or Dogmatic

There is a battle of values happening. A battle that is causing a divide. People fighting with each other, saying horrible things. People questioning each other’s values, while maintaining a sense of superiority. People judging other’s actions, as though they are less human for feeling that way. People judging people for judging, with such vehemence so as to appear better than that person. (There isn’t much that’s more ironic than someone judging someone for judging. Especially when they do it with an air of superiority.)

We have come to a place where the only things some people post about on social media, is their political opinion. Or, their interpretation of the facts. Not the facts themselves, that would be too direct. They use fun adjectives to guide you into agreement with them. I have read articles, where the headline made me think, “Oh my goodness, what in the world.” I then read the article and think, “Really?” The headline was loud, and attention grabbing. But, the article itself, wasn’t anything.

The same applies to religion, doctrinal teachings, and social issues. All of these are SO important. I don’t think anyone is denying this. Could it be true, that the more dogmatic you get the less convincing you are? Are we losing people because of our, “see it my way or get out of here” attitude?

Something that I have noticed, is that there are great unifiers in all of this. We are just choosing to ignore those, so as to not align ourselves with someone we are choosing to demonize.

Instead of looking at each other like, I believe this, and you believe that, and that means if you believe that, then you hate all humans and you are innately evil. Why don’t we choose to say, I’m sorry you see things that way and we don’t agree on this issue, but we can agree on ______, and that’s why we can be friends. There has to be “give and take.” We will not create any change by saying people have to believe everything exactly the way you see it. We will only create change through love. Mark Morgan said something in reference to the 9 “gifts” found in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, that I want to apply to this. He said,”They must be done in, through, and out of love, or they will destroy the person using them.” I have watched, fun-loving people, become bitter and cynical over the last three election cycles. People that I have, personally, had tons of fun with, now always mad and angry at everyone for having an opinion, or values, different than their own.

Could it be, that you in all your “rightness” are destroying people? Or worse, destroying yourself?

Please, let us lay aside every weight, and believe me, our opinions and values can become a weight when we have the wrong attitude. It’s ok to believe things, and have very stringent values, but stop stressing and internalizing what, or how others believe and value things.

Stop destroying yourself. Please.

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If you have any questions, you can email me at doranjared@gmail.com

It’s ok to be happy and healthy