Societal harmony is no longer an option, because even benevolent silence is now disrespected. Don't have a crazy-hard opinion on social or political issues? Then get ready for derision; your complacency makes you a part of the problem. It means you are "not listening", that you are apathetic, that you don't care, that you are ignorant and uninformed.
No one has to tell you these things directly. All one has to do is care about reading up on current events, and be curious enough to read the commentary, and the commentary on the commentary. Used to be becoming informed was a noble thing; now it is a trash thing. People trashing people for thinking differently, for trying to form enlightened opinion, for seeking the contrasting view but holding to one's own.
In the course of holding to your own, do you ever dig your heels in? Of course you do. Even mild-mannered people dig their heels in; it is second nature to survival. Holding to one's own validates everything we are about--what inspires and drives us, what makes us beings of integrity. It pays honor to the conclusions we've come to, and upholds the principles and values we cherish.
Principles and values--in the eye of the beholder stuff. I am the first to agree that a "churched" life has little to do with innate principles and values, so YES, the Godless passion of some can lay shame to the God-claimed passion of others.
"Live and let live", so long almost anyone's sacred mantra (at least in theory) is now an outdated, or if used, dishonest mantra. It doesn't pass the sniff test, when people talk the words but actively stomp the march to pass the legislation to obliterate the true "live and let live" out of society.
Does not marching mean you don't stand for anything? It seems so, more and more. We live in an era where simple, earnest prayer is scorned as an exercise in futility by many, more than ever before. But many DO still pray, and simple and earnest contemplation in itself will never be scorned.
I don't know what is "enough" to bring back more possibilities for harmony. But I experienced harmony yesterday, by mixed minds finding common ground and maximizing on that. A beautiful thing, and time will have to tell for the rest. We can pray, and we can hope! In the meantime, with moderated passion I love the timeless words of this hanging that accompanies our door; I hope the message will carry us through this and all seasons yet to come. A blessed Christmas season to you, and happy holidays, too!!
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