When it comes an antithesis of a thesis we always find dissent. The desire to oppose for opposition’s sake is our current poison of choice when we argue. My view is orthodox, yours is heretical. Mine is right, yours is wrong. This is always self-revelation and it’s the reason why many people of similar views believe they hold opposing opinions. Actually this would be comical except for the seriousness of where it can lead us as a people.
The “anybody but Trump” and “only Trump as God’s gift to the nation” show how far this can go in our political dialogue. When two or more engage in a polarized conversation what ensues is a set of cherry-picked arguments to show the other side is wrong and nothing good usually occurs. They support their positions from questions which only show how wayward the other side is as an argument for the superiority of their side. There is no common ground for either side to create synthesis.
In Proverbs there’s a saying about twisting the nose produces blood. The truth is seen in our nation as our public conversation comes to a standstill. Someone of good standing has to take the risk to create a new town hall so we give a place of legitimacy of opposing views. Humility in our political debate from left or right would have to change our inner voice. Maybe it can start with, “I like to be heard so I’ll listen to a view different than mine.” Or… “I can see the holes in my opponents thoughts better than I can see them in my own. Maybe they have the same deficiency and I can learn from them as I hope they learn from me.”
The golden rule of doing unto others as I would have them do unto me would change these argument-charged times we live in.
Maybe it would reinvigorate synthesis so we could find solutions to some intractable issues. Here’s to hoping for a kinder debate since we have a lot of diametrically opposed moral issues in our nation to resolve.
“Lord, help us all” should be our common cry.