A Different View

            With the Presidential election now passed by several weeks, you’d think people would begin getting on with their lives, even as those who feel they didn’t “win,” lick their wounds.  It was a divisive campaign and it seems the divisiveness continues, not only on the political front but within families, between friends and across the media spectrum.

            Almost everyone has a face book page, twitter account, or other social media platform with which to share thoughts, opinions and have open discussion with interested parties.  But since the election, these media platforms have become a place of ridicule, condescension, negative and hurtful comments, meanness, arrogance, and contempt for a person (or persons) who would dare to disagree with the view shared.  

            There’s a line in an old country song that says “Sometimes right is just as wrong as wrong is.”  There is a fine line between judging and helping someone when they seem to be indirectly or even directly in disagreement of what you believe to be true and right.

            How a person is presented with your view is critical for them to gain understanding of your perspective.  Biblical Paul often talks about using gentleness to change a person’s perspective.  That’s especially true when Christianity or disobedience to your beliefs are the topics in question.

            Forcibly telling someone “your wrong!” only makes the other person defensive.  Asking “Why do you feel that way?” or “May I show you in the Bible...?” creates a non-threatening approach.  People are much more likely to entertain your ideas when they don’t feel condemned or judged.

            If the “disobedience factor” is not the issue, but rather a different perspective, the end result is the same, if blasting, demeaning and ridiculing is used as a tactic to get a point across.  People will not respond favorably when they feel they are being attacked for having a different view.  Sometimes the best thing is to “agree to disagree!” 

It doesn’t mean a person is less Christian, that he can’t completely believe his perspective is the right one, or that it makes him stupid, irresponsible or less human than the opposing view.  It’s just different and he has as much right to his perspective as the next person.  His opinion doesn’t mean he is living in sin, it’s just the way he feels about a specific subject.

We are taught as Christians to demonstrate love at all times.  How can we demonstrate love when we are spewing hate?  That is like mixing oil and water.  They are separate entities that do not mix well!  By all means, share your views.  There is nothing wrong with that.  It becomes a problem however, when your view is the only view.  (I’m not talking about going against Biblical laws, etc.--- just non-sinful, opposing views on a subject.)   God made us all different including how we perceive things.  We as Christians, come in at different maturity levels and different life experiences.  When we can embrace those who share different views, we will be able to begin a healing process between our friends, families and perhaps even other nations.

            So, I encourage you to think before sharing your view if you believe it’s going to create division.  How can your view be presented in a Godly way, so others can see the opinion worth considering, and adopting as their own?