13 September 2012

The Enemy

"The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I take it. Wonder what his name is, where he came from, if he was really evil at heart... what lies and or threats lead him on this long march from home, if would not rather have stayed there." Faramir

How do we see the rest of the world, specifically those with views differing from our own? It is so easy to villify others, to make ourselves out to be the hero and our cause to be "good" in the battle of good versus evil. But there is rarely heroism in being a hero - that comes much later. And there are hardly ever black and white answers about what is good versus evil.


In Captain America (and, indeed, in any World War comic, novel, film, etc.) you see many young soldiers eager to "kill nazis." However, Steve Rogers maintains he has no interest in killing nazis, simply that he can't stand a bully. I believe this response to be a correct one, but we get so caught up in our version of things that we forget to keep an open mind. And yes, Liberals are as guilty of this as Conservatives.

With the upcoming election, our country has been starkly divided in Romney vs. Obama. It's not so much about who is the better candidate as it is "defining" American citizens. Either you are a Republican: a fiscally conservative, tax cutting, gay hating, anti-abortion patriot. Or you are a Democrat: a liberally minded, tax raising, tree hugging, anti-military hater of traditional values. I find it difficult to believe everyone fits into one of these  categories.

The truth is that we've become polarized, no longer willing to accept another's opinion as valid unless it aligns with our own. We've made "different," into "evil." And, once again, Liberals are just as guilty as Conservatives. Varying opinions should be encouraged, challenges to our beliefs are what help them grow. We need opposition to understand why we think the way we do.

That being said, allowing others to have opinions do not necessarily make them educated. They may be naive, ignorant, arrogant, or stuck in their ways, but always entitled to their own. That is not to excuse ignorant actions. We must be held responsible for our actions - which includes discussion. Bullying someone with an opinion is an action, not just a point of view, and you become responsible for the injury you commit.


But I think we would do well to consider Faramir's words (Tolkien) before we judge someone. Are they truly the enemy or merely differing in opinion? We would do well to remember the only reason to go to war, not to destroy human life but to eliminate mistreatment and misunderstanding. If we had lived the life of another, would we have made different decisions? This is what we must consider every time we look at someone else.

I'm struggling with being on the wrong side of everyone's opinions lately. I am angry with the hurtful words so many spout towards those who have been raped, had abortions, are homosexual, choose a different lifestyle. But I am also angry with all the scalding comments concerning Christians coming from the other side of the spectrum. I find myself at the center of a white hot debate in which nothing is being accomplished. I simply wish that the conversation were more of an actual conversation than slurs slung back and forth. I wish we could speak to one another with respect rather than closed-mindedness.

Let there not be an "enemy," but conversation. Let there be opinions that allow others to exist. Let there be respect. There are important issues at hand, I hope they would be considered fervently rather than swept beneath a rug of misunderstanding.

And now, a picture of my darling boy to counter all the politics.


You're a little happier now, aren't you?

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