DISAGREEING WITHOUT DEGRADING

by Jeff Hagan
(Tacoma, WA, USA)

What I'd like to talk about today will most likely come as no surprise to most of you. Nonetheless, it's something that needs to be addressed (again). There is an increasing number of people, particularly online, who have resorted to a type of mob mentality as their normal way of functioning when it comes to disagreements, discussions, and debates. Things have changed from using it as an occasional tactic to becoming their normal way of doing things. Many groups and individuals (one group in particular that comes to mind) identify all of those who disagree with them, often times even if it's on just a single issue, as bigots, racists, homophobes, misogynists, heretics, Antinomians, false believers, liars, or a host of other similar and ugly labels. People doing this is really nothing new, it's just that it continues to get worse. What they are attempting to do is intimidate by fear, it's nothing more than a fear tactic. Or one might call it bullying. They are power and control hungry and see only one way to tackle issues, and that way is their way.

Unfortunately, racism, hate, exclusivism, etc., are alive and well in the world (one can't get around or ignore these issues in our day and age), but when these nasty labels are tossed about so casually and used so frequently, they are reduced to nothing more than stale and boring cliche's. They lose their impact. The punch that formerly came with such a description is dissipated and the force that used to accompany them is removed. So, attempting to fear monger another, or degrade another, out of their view has only resulted in making it more difficult to fight the real thing when it rears its ugly head. Another result, an ironic one at that, is that those who apply this tactic of labeling others who disagree, even over minor issues, with such nasty inaccurate titles and descriptions, do nothing more than show their own hypocrisy. Why? Because they are doing the exact same thing they are accusing others of doing.

I suggest not stooping to their level. Don't use such methods when arguing and debating different issues and/or topics. I'm sure we have all been guilty of it to some level or degree, but it's very unattractive, it's inappropriate, impolite, ineffective, and quite possibly one of the more significant causes for the seemingly irreconcilable schisms we have in our current society and in the Church. Power, or actually it's more accurate to say self “perceived” power, is not so important that one has to stoop to such low and un-Christlike practices. Just be obedient to God and His Word and let the rest happen as it will.

If the urge that pulls you to take part in such discussions, especially when they are online, is too strong for you to avoid or resist, then as brothers and sisters in Christ I implore you to contemplate the following pieces of advice (and I include myself in remembering these things as well):

1. Don't use knee-jerk responses. Don't be so eager to argue or respond that you reply in haste. Take a moment to pause and think before you speak, or type.
2. Get right to the point. Be clear and direct. There's no need for self-aggrandizing. Stay on topic. Be clear and concise.
3. Practice active “listening.” Let people know you understand their point or concern. Show respect in how you articulate their position back to them.
4. This flows from number three, but be respectful. Respect their opinion without compromising your own. Even go so far as to point out valid points or ideas that they may bring up.
5. Keep anger at bay. Angry, bitter words accomplish nothing. Even sarcasm (an admitted fault of my own) is rarely of benefit.
6. Practice sympathy and empathy. Don't revel or rejoice in the misfortune of another.
7. If another needs to be admonished, do so gently and with respect. Guess what? There are many times in your life that you need to be admonished as well, whether you wish to accept that truth or not.
8. Steer clear of attacks on motive, personal character, personal attributes, etc. Don't distract from the discussion by relishing in arguing for the sake of arguing, resorting to ad hominem attacks, using divisive or harsh language, etc.
9. Don't use “news” as a source if you don't know it to be true. Forwarding stories, memes, reports, speculations, etc., before facts have been confirmed amounts to nothing more than gossip and hearsay. Fact check. Research. This is especially important with the speed at which social media now travels. Withhold stating things as fact until you have information, reliable information, available on both sides of an issue.
10. I see this one all of the time and it serves literally no purpose. Don't simply make unsubstantiated assertions with no explanation. Examples: “false,” “wrong,” “incorrect,” “think again,” “mic drop,” etc. If you feel the need to identify something as false, then explain why. The purpose should be a dialog, correct? One word, simplistic denials of one's comment or position is not helpful.

I hope this has been beneficial and informative. If not, at least a good reminder of basic manners and etiquette for conversation, discussion, disagreement, and even debate. And please know I'm not talking “to” you with this information as though I'm without fault. I am as much talking to, or at least reminding, myself of these things as well. I will be the first to admit I have pushed “send” or “enter” many times when I shouldn't have. It's easy to get wrapped up in conversation, especially if it's a “hot button” topic for you or you're conversing with a source who is well known for using the immature, ineffective tactics described above. I often find myself wanting to take one particular “leader” of a couple of particular “ministries” out behind the woodshed and teach him a lesson the 9ld fashion way, so I get it. It's easy to get a bit nonchalant when one is in front of an electronic screen, forgetting there are actual people on the other end of an entry, comment, reply, or post.*


*Inspired by, and adapted from, “Demonizing Our Opponents” by John Hendryx.