IN RETROSPECT
When I think about conservative thought, the first thing that comes to mind is the ability to think, understand, resolve and speak. Critical thinking was necessary, but that had to be combined with humble consideration of other’s thoughts and ideas, and the ability to speak clearly and succinctly. The problem is that things have changed so much that we hardly have opportunity to have a civil conversation or debate on anything. When I was in high school, I spent time learning about debate and later taught the techniques in public school. I learned that you must be knowledgeable of the topic you are debating by researching information. Then you spend time thinking about the positive and negative points of the issue until you understand and can defend your position. Often you confer with your partners to see if there are things that you have overlooked. Then you prepare to present your ideas in the most articulate way that you can. |
After you present your ideas, the opposing team will cross-examine you regarding weakness in your thoughts. Then the opposing team presents their view on the topic and your team can then cross-examine them. Finally, there is a rebuttal time to cover any unresolved issues and bring closure to the debate. Everyone leaves feeling they have done their best to explain their point of view and congratulating each other for a good effort and everyone has learned how to express their ideas and respect others’ ideas. How things have changed!
We have journalists who report false information that has not been fully researched. It just fit their point of view or they heard it on Twitter. We have information platforms that ban conservative ideas and use their platforms to support certain political parties. Then they all screamed and ranted when Musk bought Twitter. They felt sure that Musk would use Twitter to affect elections just as they had done. Seems almost irrational.
There is so much name calling, accusations, and lies that no one seems to be able to carry on a decent conversation. Many people are rude and will not even allow the other person to talk or they just talk over them so no one can hear. Everyone has to be right and there is little room for understanding the other point of view. No value given to other’s ability to have a good thought or willingness to resolve the issue.
We have journalists who report false information that has not been fully researched. It just fit their point of view or they heard it on Twitter. We have information platforms that ban conservative ideas and use their platforms to support certain political parties. Then they all screamed and ranted when Musk bought Twitter. They felt sure that Musk would use Twitter to affect elections just as they had done. Seems almost irrational.
There is so much name calling, accusations, and lies that no one seems to be able to carry on a decent conversation. Many people are rude and will not even allow the other person to talk or they just talk over them so no one can hear. Everyone has to be right and there is little room for understanding the other point of view. No value given to other’s ability to have a good thought or willingness to resolve the issue.
My hope is that conservative thinkers, at least, could go back to a friendly debate of issues. My doctor and I were discussing this problem and she said, “Everything would be better if people would stop communicating on the internet”. I had to admit she had a point. Between text messages that can be confusing, criticism from unknown people who wouldn’t say it to your face, angry ranting and cussing, bits and pieces of facts or fiction, and utter propaganda, you can’t really come to a proper understanding or learn from others.
The Bible talks about getting knowledge and understanding which results in wisdom, but remember also that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. So, as conservative thinkers we should pursue knowledge and gain understanding of that knowledge which will result in wisdom, but not to forget that God likes debate too. He said, “Come now, and let us reason together”. We need to rebuild communication again. Farmers used to go to the local coffee shop and discuss farm issues, women got together over tea and discuss family, people used to write letters to friends and family sharing life events and neighbors would talk over the fence about local issues.
With the new Department of Homeland Security’s Orwellian new “Disinformation Governance Board” the government will be able to police free speech online. I suppose this was done because of Musk buying Twitter, but we know that over the last 6 years, conservative speech was banned while BLM, Black Muslim hate speeches, Iranian rants and Antifa protests were allowed. If we want Free Speech, we need to speak up now. Tell your neighbor, barber, farmer, and family that something has to be done! We must get rid of totalitarianism in our own country. Just my thoughts. |