Commonsense and Logic
Whatever happened to commonsense and logic? Sometimes when I read the news or see the feed on social media, I feel as if I have been transported to a bizarre world where logic and commonsense do not have permission to function. For example:
It’s not OK for a bakery to refuse business to someone because of their personal beliefs, but it’s ok for Bruce Springsteen to refuse to play a concert in NC to people who already purchased tickets, because of his personal beliefs. What is the logic in that?
It’s not ok for a man to use a ladies’ public restroom, until that man says he believes he should be a woman…then he can use the ladies’ room. Where is the commonsense in that?
If that’s not enough, it seems people can’t express opinions without their thoughts being labeled “hate speech.” That is except for the person hurling the accusation of others being haters and telling them where to get off. Their speech is acceptable.
A great deal of this seems to center around Biblical values vs. Secular values and political correctness. Expressing Biblical values is often frowned upon by those expressing contrary values and thus the Biblical speaker is often labeled a hater. Admittedly, there are some who wear the label “Christian” who don’t always demonstrate what that means in the best manner…but no doubt anyone who has ever proclaimed themselves a believer has skeletons in their closet and actions for which they regret. That’s why Christ came…to forgive and redeem us. However, it is a mistake to label all Christians as malicious or angry haters. That is far from reality.
So what’s the problem? Let me offer a brief perspective of what I think is happening.
We have distanced ourselves from truth. It used to be people could have disagreements and differing opinions and still have civil discussions. Both sides assumed the existence of “truth” and even though the two parties disagreed, and neither wanted to admit they were wrong, they each knew truth was real. Thus, they argued their point of view based on an assumption that truth exists, even if they hadn’t landed on it themselves. Their disagreement was with an idea, an idea they were wrestling with as a part of their own quest for truth.
Today, because people have discarded truth, disagreements have become more personal. Why? Because today a disagreement is with a person not an idea. The only “truth” is what each person assumes to be correct. Thus, if one disagrees with the other, his language is considered hate speech because he is “attacking” the person, not addressing an idea. Now, again, logic breaks down quickly in these discussions. If a person takes a conservative or Biblical point of view, their language is viewed as hate language. If a person is on the liberal side, they can be as accusing and hateful as they would like, and that seems to be acceptable. This defies logic and commonsense.
You see…we have distanced ourselves from truth and the further removed we are from it, the less able we are to measure anything in light of the truth. My opinions can become jaded and biased very quickly, and it is imperative that I continue to keep myself close to truth in order to weigh my thoughts and line up my perspectives according to the truth.
One more thought…truth is not an abstract idea. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) Truth can’t be separated from Christ. He is the creator and knows better than anyone how life functions and how life should function (and they are not necessarily one and the same as evidenced by what we see in our world).
I want to keep myself close to Christ seeking to align myself with Him. I can’t measure up by being “me”, but I can be transformed by Him and thus made holy by being “me in Christ.” I need my thoughts, my ideas, my dreams, my pursuits…everything about me to be consistent with truth…consistent with Christ. I encourage you to do the same.
“Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell…” Psalm 43:3
