I’ve been reading the comments on my preacher’s blog for about the last 15 minutes. The topic is war and whether war is a business that followers of Christ should be about. Or something like that.
When I waded into the various postings of those who felt they had something to say, I saw what I always see when people draw together for hand-to-hand combat. Fear. Anxiety. A desire to control those closest to us. A real need to overpower others.
Not all of the comments were like that. But as the list unfolded through scroll-down after scroll-down of questions, replies, and retorts, the ugly nature of human interaction emerged.
A few of the commentators were avowed pacifists. Some others hinted at their law-and-order tack.
Ironic, isn’t it that — at least for purposes of the blog discussion — people on both sides of the question were unabashedly aggressive and mean-spirited?
I applaud those who talk for the sake of conversation — both in blogs and in real life. I celebrate those who can express themselves well. And by well, I mean those who can make a point or a counterpoint without attacking the person on the other side of the table. A free exchange of ideas.
I have a growing intolerance of those on both sides of any issue who believe that being cynical and destructive in a blog discussion or a television interview or around a coffee table is any less disgusting than the “real world violence” they decry or justify.
Conversation must continue. But, the will to win must cease being our motivation for having the conversation.
Let’s talk. I have a will to understand what you think and what you feel. For I’m afraid if I have the will to win, I will never hear you.