{"id":6005,"date":"2016-03-17T06:42:25","date_gmt":"2016-03-17T10:42:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=6005"},"modified":"2016-03-17T06:55:59","modified_gmt":"2016-03-17T10:55:59","slug":"an-offensive-position","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=6005","title":{"rendered":"an offensive position"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"80b0d25e\"<\/a>This election cycle is challenging for many of us; many of us are increasingly concerned about the selection of candidates and all\u00a0that’s evolving. So let me start with the stated desire to ratchet it down a notch. One of the most challenging aspects of all discussion \u2014 thanks much to the influence of media and especially social<\/em> media \u2014 is that the dialogue begins from a point of being all ratcheted up. I get it; treat my boys or beloved Boilermakers seemingly disrespectfully, and my ratcheting-up-potential rises exponentially, too.<\/p>\n

But my point is that we too often start the conversation from an offensive position; we are already prone to pounce before any perspective is shared. It is thus very difficult to engage in dialogue when any of us \u2014 self included \u2014 are ready to pounce. In fact, I can state with almost all certainty that when we begin conversing from an offensive position, we will not listen well, not find solution, not discern common ground, and the probability is especially high that the only opinion we will affect or change is to assist another in becoming more quickly entrenched in their ongoing oppositional stance. Offensive positions \u2014 regardless of intellect \u2014 obstruct respectful dialogue and solution.<\/p>\n

It is an offensive position to start with malevolent comparisons. For example \u2014 as shared in a recent post \u2014 many compare current presidential candidate Donald Trump and his rhetoric to Adolf Hitler; he is not. Eight years ago, many compared then presidential candidate Barack Obama and his rhetoric to the anti-Christ; he is not. Yet even as I write this, I\u2019m sensitive to the notion that many will still fully justify one of the above, boldly averring why their comparison is the correct one.<\/p>\n

Please know that my desire this day is not to compare Obama and Trump; my thoughts instead center around the comparable reactions of the people<\/em> to these one-time candidates\u00a0and the seemingly resulting mob mentality \u2014 both for and against them. Eight years ago, there were plenty of people admittedly scared about a possible President Obama; today there are plenty of people admittedly scared about a possible President Trump. I sense a lot of \u201cscared-ness.\u201d There are\u00a0valid reasons for the concern. There are also groups on all sides that are inflaming the fear. They want us to be scared.<\/p>\n

One wise-dialoguing friend shared her perception\u00a0this week, that \u201cthe right is scared of liberals, and the left is scared of conservatives. You aren\u2019t allowed to be independent.\u201d The perception is that if you identify primarily with one party, you cannot have any opinion\u00a0that strays from the group\u2019s \u2014 aka \u201cmob\u2019s\u201d \u2014 stated perspective; the group herds us in, almost unknowingly, even with highly intelligent people.\u00a0That kind of mentality, I fear, existed long before this current election cycle\u00a0began.<\/p>\n

It makes me wonder if in today\u2019s polarized climate, have we lost our independence? Have we numbed our critical thinking skills? Have we been so seduced by passionate partisanship and emotion that we can no longer see any wisdom in another side? Do we not carefully or prayerfully consider that wisdom will never be equated with one person or party’s political platform?<\/p>\n

As acknowledged, while I am not scared \u2014 primarily because my trust is in someone greater than any candidate \u2014 there are multiple aspects regarding each of the persons still running for President this year that concern me; some concern me deeply. What concerns me arguably more than any candidate, however, is the reaction of the people to each candidate\u2026 seen, for example\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026 in the violence at the Trump rallies last weekend\u2026
\n\u2026 in the intentional inciting of violence by a left wing advocacy group\u2026
\n\u2026 and in the resulting mob mentality.<\/p>\n

A \u201cmob mentality\u201d means individuals adopt certain behaviors and beliefs because they are influenced by the groups with which they identify; they may consciously or subconsciously adopt the behavior. Typically in such “mobs,” emotions become heightened, wisdom becomes based on group desire more than\u00a0actual prudence, and previously unacceptable behaviors become justified…<\/p>\n

\u2026 such as calling any candidate Hitler… or\u00a0starting from an offensive position.<\/p>\n

Oh, to think this election cycle includes six more months…\u00a0Time to be on my knees more, wrestle with my concerns, and surrender any \u201cscared-ness\u201d\u2026 because no candidate\/President thus far is the anti-Christ\u2026 and none will ever be mistaken for my\u00a0Messiah.<\/p>\n

Respectfully\u2026
\nAR<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This election cycle is challenging for many of us; many of us are increasingly concerned about the selection of candidates and all\u00a0that’s evolving. So let me start with the stated desire to ratchet it down a notch. One of the most challenging aspects of all discussion \u2014 thanks much to the influence of media and … <\/p>\n

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