I’ve touched on this subject before in other posts, but it is something that I encounter every day, so it stays on my mind. I see it a lot in myself, so I thought I’d talk through it. Maybe it’s cultural, or maybe it’s human nature, but I think we have a tendency to categorize people very quickly. If you read my Advocate post, you know that I believe we often group our opinions into “packages”, which in effect does make it easier to allow ourselves to be categorized. But this post is more about how we relate to people and their opinions.
How often have we heard stories about people having a strong prejudice against a person until they really got to know them? I think that is the common theme of many after-school specials, and that general concept is the basis for Morgan Spurlock’s FX show, 30 Days. Nothing new about these issues. Generally this type of thinking is responsible for racism, hate crimes, and most every war that has ever been fought. I don’t really have the patience (or knowledge) to tackle those topics in depth, so I will just focus on some less weighty tendencies that I see in myself.
On the Apostolic Message Board that I frequently frequent (and I do mean frequently), I have gotten to know people on opposite ends of the liberal/conservative spectrum of Oneness Pentecostolism - and everywhere in between. Many of you probably think that is a pretty narrow spectrum, and relatively speaking, you’re probably right. All of it falls pretty firmly into conservative territory in most people’s minds, but to those who contribute, they are universes apart.
I find myself labeling person “A” as a wacky liberal, or person “B” as a crazy conservative. It filters everything that I read from (or about) that person going forward, and influences the conclusions I draw from what they are saying. I don’t know if there is anyway to avoid that, really. But, I feel like I need to try. In movies, it’s common to see what you might call one-dimensional characters. In the Breakfast Club, for instance, you have the jock, the nerd, the princess, the stoner, etc. This is a typical method that writers use to help you quickly identify what to expect from a character. You know that the princess is going to be spoiled and whiny, and that the nerd doesn’t have a girlfriend and is lousy at sports. These devices are often overused and make for very crappy movies. The Breakfast Club ultimately makes a point of rising above these stereotypes by creating 3-dimensional characters.
We are all 3-dimensional people. We have been shaped by what we are taught, what we have seen, and what we have lived. We have complex personalities that dictate our views on society, religion, politics, etc. I need to try to remember that person “A” may have had a very bad experience with a pastor in a church - and is now wary of religious authority figures; person “B” may have grown up with an alcoholic father that never cared what they did - so they appreciate the discipline and structure that comes with a more conservative approach.
Just to be clear, this isn’t a “let’s all get along” speech. I have no intention of ignoring our differences. I may still strongly disagree with some of your idiotic opinions. But, I think it’s about not writing people off. It’s about working with people to achieve common goals. I need to try harder to look past the differences to find the commonality. It’s the only way we’ll ever get anything done.
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As I read through your blogs (I’m a newbie here) I’m surprised at how similar our views are. That may be even more surprising to you as I appear to be a person “B”. Like you, I am learning every day that the “real” person is often much different than the “outward” person. And usually, the more I’m around people, the more I realize that we’re very similar. (Maybe that just means I hang around people who are like me.)
It is interesting. My theory is that most of us have much in common, and so few things that drive us apart. Unfortunately, they are the obvious things.
I don’t know if I am surprised to learn that you are conservative or not. I’ll have to think about that one. ;) Thanks for the comment.