the greatest threat
I recently received a very abrupt email from a person who did not like something I wrote or said. This person wanted to tell me very candidly that what I wrote or said was not in agreement with his or her belief. Therefore, this person, in an angry and defensive tone, told me what he or she believed. Then before closing the email got in a good one liner about my appearance or character – or maybe both as I am trying to forget the nasty comments (yet now I write about it?).
This is not the first time I have received mean spirited emails from people. I have been confronted by people in parking lots outside of church buildings. I have been called all sorts of names (if you really want to know my top five email me). I have been accused of siding with one group or another. I have received phone calls from angry people about this or that. This is not the norm, but it does happen.
Over the years I have begun to see a pattern emerge. That being, the greatest reaction from people is when an idea is presented that is contrary to their own. Mind you, it is not when I or anyone vehemently attack their position and say it is wrong. Simply articulating a thought or an idea that is not in agreement with their's gets the blood pumping. Asking a penetrating, open-ended question that causes them to encounter their own belieds can cause all sorts of responses.
The greatest threat it seems is not a frontal assault. Rather, it is engaging a new or different idea or asking new or different questions. It is taking a good hard look at the unknown and walking straight into it.
I have to be honest when I say I am not sure why this is. Perhaps because we as a people have been told the answers our whole life, and told we are never to question them. New thoughts, ideas, or questions can do just that. I would be interested to hear what your thoughts are on why this is. Feel free to comment.
This is not the first time I have received mean spirited emails from people. I have been confronted by people in parking lots outside of church buildings. I have been called all sorts of names (if you really want to know my top five email me). I have been accused of siding with one group or another. I have received phone calls from angry people about this or that. This is not the norm, but it does happen.
Over the years I have begun to see a pattern emerge. That being, the greatest reaction from people is when an idea is presented that is contrary to their own. Mind you, it is not when I or anyone vehemently attack their position and say it is wrong. Simply articulating a thought or an idea that is not in agreement with their's gets the blood pumping. Asking a penetrating, open-ended question that causes them to encounter their own belieds can cause all sorts of responses.
The greatest threat it seems is not a frontal assault. Rather, it is engaging a new or different idea or asking new or different questions. It is taking a good hard look at the unknown and walking straight into it.
I have to be honest when I say I am not sure why this is. Perhaps because we as a people have been told the answers our whole life, and told we are never to question them. New thoughts, ideas, or questions can do just that. I would be interested to hear what your thoughts are on why this is. Feel free to comment.