As I’m sure is no secret to you, we live in what’s being called an “Outrage Society.” People seem to love to get their dander up. To point fingers. To be offended. To declare each other unreasonable, stupid, and declare for all of social media to see that if you think that then we can’t be friends.
We live in a world where people have become addicted to that flash of anger. The increase in adrenaline that comes with being outraged. We live in a world where, though we say that all opinions matter and are equally valid, what we really mean is that our opinions matter and are more “equally” valid than any other, and those who think otherwise are monsters.
We live in a world where people are so quick to pick a fight. So quick to take a side. So quick to vilify the other.
I’ve long been sorrowful over that…but it wasn’t until recently that I began to think it isn’t just sad. It’s scary.
I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s heard rumors about what might happen after this next election. Both the left and the right have their…honestly, I don’t know what to call them other than conspiracy theories. Or in this case, conspiracy fantasies. They both want the other side to be given a big “up yours.” And both couch it in pseudo-legal ideas.
What no one seems to be pausing to consider is that when we twist the legal system to achieve our political–or moral or idealistic–goals, what we’re doing is putting ourselves in danger. Our own ideals. Our own morals. Our own politics.
When we refuse to extend fairness and respect to the other side, we’re saying we don’t value fairness and respect.
And when we stop valuing fairness and respect, we stop
getting fairness and respect.
This, my friends, is not how we can #BeBetter. This is how we become worse.
Should we argue and fight for what we believe in? Absolutely. BUT, only if we’re also arguing and fighting for our opposition’s right to believe differently. Should we have opinions on our legal and justice and political systems? Of course! So long as we also recognize that forcing our opinions on others can result only in the destruction of the system we think we’re fighting for.
What’s worth fighting for? The right to fight. The right for all sides to fight, argue, believe what they want. That’s the only way we stay a free people. That’s the only way we know we will get to keep on following our own consciences legally.
I’m sure many of you have heard or read the following, from a pastor in Germany in the days of Hitler, Martin Niemöller:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
I’ve always found that striking. But these days, as I hear people on both the right and left calling for things that are not only illegal in the American justice system but would in fact set a precedent for tearing apart that whole system, I can’t help but think this is even more dangerous. Because we have people not just not speaking out. We have people–good people, godly people–cheering. Hoping they “come for” the opposition.
Have you done that? Have I? Have we gotten so caught up in our frustration over what we deem wrong that we cheer at the thought of others’ destruction? Maybe…probably. It fulfills that need inside to be proven right. Those conspiracy fantasies (I like that phrase, I’m gonna keep it, LOL) make us feel like we’re winning, like good is triumphing over evil.
But here’s the thing. Our King chose to be crucified. Our Lord chose humility. Our Savior tells us to love and not hate. To champion grace, not just justice. To seek to show Him to our enemies, not to
show them. Our God calls us to
#BeBetter.
So I really have to ask. What’s worth fighting for?
Not just my side. Not just your side. We, my friends, need to be fighting for the freedom to choose a side at all. We need to be fighting not for a win, but for Him. And He had quite a lot to say about enemies. That it isn’t even about what we do. It’s about what’s in our hearts.
So I guess that’s my answer. What’s worth fighting for? The hearts of mankind. And that isn’t a battle waged in political arenas or courtrooms. It’s one waged on our knees.
Let’s stop being outraged. And let’s start being outspoken about His love.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
Well said!