An Example of the Crisis of Discernment
A couple of days ago, I received the following e-mail from someone who sounds like a well-intentioned American.
It provides a great example of not only the Crisis of Discernment but of the difficulty so many people have with understanding what serves Collective Highest Good.
Please read the e-mail. Then read below that my responses. I look forward to you posting your perspective about my responses.
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You may have heard in the news that a Couple of Post Offices in Texas has been forced to take down small posters that say “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The law, they say, is being violated.
Anyway, we heard proposed on a radio station show, that we should all write “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the back of all our mail. After all, that’s our National Motto, and it’s on all the money we use to buy those stamps.
We think it’s a wonderful idea.
We must take back our nation from all the people who think that anything that offends them should be removed.
If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of “writing or stamping” IN GOD WE TRUST” on our envelopes.
Sounds good to us. WE’RE HAVING A STAMP MADE TOO!
It’s been reported that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, we have a very hard time understanding why there’s such a mess about having “In God We Trust” on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Could it be that WE just need to take action and tell the 14% to “sit down and shut up”?
If you agree, pass this on. If not, delete.
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MY RESPONSE
I have a different perspective.
> Could it be that WE just need to take action
Sure! Absolutely. Those of us who believe in this should certainly write “In God We Trust” on our envelopes. Those who don’t should likewise be encouraged to write on their envelopes “In _____ We Trust,” filling in the blank with whatever is true for us. BUT, this encouragement needs to occur within the larger message that ALL of us need to stop insisting we’re right and therefore they’re wrong. This is coercion not collaboration. The majority has no more right to coercion than does the minority. Coercion is immaturity. It reflects the absence of integrity not the presence of it.
> And tell the 14% to “sit down and shut up”?
This kind of antagonism fuels hatred and threatens to repress contrary perspectives. Even though this was written by an American, to me this is an attitude that is both anti-democracy and un-American.
> If you agree, pass this on, if not, delete
I believe this closing comment should say, “If you agree, pass it on. If you don’t, pass on what you believe in. Let’s honor our differences, discover the wisdom embedded within our differing perspectives and collaborate to discover the higher wisdom that emerges when we combine our seemingly opposite perspectives.”
I know I’m asking a lot here, but I think it’s time that all of us start living up to a higher standard in our ability to think issues through. And it’s time for us to start teaching our children how to do that too.
That is what I would say to all who care about our culture. How does that sound to you?
~~ Dr. G.
