09/06/2020
It has become impossible for one to have an opinion or to defend a position in today's upside down world without opposition. That's okay. Democracies are designed that way. It's called freedom. Dissonance and diversity should be welcome. Sadly, in the current social climate, we can no longer "agree to disagree" or hold on to our own, and often different, views debating them with passion, civility and respect. In a world gone mad difference is seen as hateful opposition and even the slightest disagreement rapidly spirals downwards. Ours is a fragmented "us vs them" society fueled by anger, hatred, injury and insult. We ruthlessly and mercilessly use our freedoms to crush and eradicate the different other. Left attacks right and vice versa; republican attacks democrat and vice versa; and liberals attacks conservatives and vice versa. Authorities become enemies. Law enforcement is portrayed as evil (until our homes and lives are under attack). Our streets become battlegrounds with people looting, burning, beating and destroying at will. The innocent are trapped in the mayhem. Two warring camps face-off, armed to the teeth with banners waving. Sadder still is that there is no place for balance, for in-between, and even abstention is met with violent rhetoric. One MUST take sides and fit into one of the feuding camps, defending that position or ideology "to the death". Where is this all leading? Few can predict. What I decided to do, as of yesterday, is not to engage. Social media is a field of carnage. People aren't really listening anyway. All they want is to box you into one of the camps, put the label on your forehead, and then attack. As such, as of now, I choose to pray. I will bite my tongue and refrain from sharing anything save Jesus. My message is Jesus: the only hope for this lost and hurting world. He said: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven'" (Matthew 5:43-45a). My posts will be about my faith (yes, I know even that will be met with opposition.) But this I choose for me: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" (Philippians 4:8). JESUS HAVE MERCY!
