I have a hard time with absolutes. I wish I could just settle on an opinion and be done with it. The problem is that I am afraid that if I’m not careful, I will begin to add significance to my opinions because they are part of my Official Belief System. Pretty soon, instead of starting your arguments with “I think” or “I believe”, you start them with, “I know.” At that point, you’ve started to believe your own hype.
The problem, though, is that it can be tiring (and uncomfortable) to sit on the fence all the time. It’s not that I simply want to make everyone happy or that I am trying to avoid offending anyone - that’s not it. It’s just that I believe that most of the time, each side of an argument on religion, politics, life, love, and the pursuit of happiness is partially based in truth - or is at least well-intentioned. I also believe that the middle is often the closest to the truth. The way I see it, I should constantly be able to consider any opposing viewpoint without it threatening my core values. Admittedly, that can be a little dangerous. Imagine allowing all spam into you inbox on the off chance that you might find something enlightening.
But here’s the deal. The old adage that “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” has some merit as well. It may not be what you stand for, but that you stand for something. I don’t know. Makes me suspicious. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. My opinion and what I choose to integrate into my Official Belief System, is really irrelevant. After a while, I may begin to confuse my opinions with fact. Again - dangerous. But you have to start somewhere. Maybe I should start to assemble my OBS here on this blog.
Too closeminded or too openminded?
Probably somewhere in the middle…
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“Stop the presses!” Or should I say “Start the presses!”? Derrick has blogged again after a 2 month break. Don’t be open minded that your brain leaks out.Bring on the OBS, that would be some good stuff.
I was counting on you for the Steve Taylor reference.
I’ve been pondering this myself. I haven’t actually written much yet, though I do want to do a series on my blog about my theological journey from UPCism to atheism to agnosticism to where I am now. Which is back into belief in God but just not sure what that means exactly. I know what I think, but, often, I can’t prove it any more. They are just thoughts at this time. Ponderings at best.