(skip to “The Tenth Question” below if you read prior questions already)
Having broached the topic of masks, I want to encourage dialogue between the polarities of the debate. This is challenging given the political climate of uncivil discord rather than civil discourse. With a vision of communities coming together to collectively determine truth and decide on policy, I offer a series of questions. I don’t want to give answers, but questions that re-teach all of us to engage in discourse which will lead us to that vision. Somewhere between the polar extremes, we will find the truth that we all need.
Therefore, let’s unmask the truth whether it leads to “masks or no masks”, “mandates or no mandates”, and more.
The Tenth Question…
Imagine yourself confronted by someone who expresses an opinion contrary to yours. It could be on social media, in line at the grocery store, in a town hall meeting, a family gathering, or anywhere. Your first impulse is to blast away. Throw your best at them. Pound them into submission. This happens from both sides of the debate.
Sometimes, a debate in more than a debate. In one sense, we mostly only debate over things that are important to those debating. Unless in a school setting, we debate over things that have real world significance. Many of the issues surrounding COVID do have significant, even life-altering effects.
However, I am referring to the fact that sometimes, an issue is so intensely important to that person that the debate’s outcome will determine far more than these real world effects. The outcome may determine whether the person remains friends with you any longer. Your lack of agreement with their stance could lead them to consider you less than human or despicable or evil.
If you are approaching the debate with that possibility in mind, you are not valuing that person as a human made in God’s image. Yes, something they say may lead you to think they are following evil, but do not go into the debate with that possibility on the tip of your tongue. Do not go there.
If you find yourself on the receiving end of such a view, you may need to ask the person if that is what they intend. If they agree that they are doing this AND it is acceptable for them to do so, then you may want to move on. The chances of a good return on time investment in that debate is pretty low.
Finding truth takes time, effort, diligence, patience, and open mindedness. It also requires loving your neighbor as you debate your mutual paths towards the same truth.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
