A Thought on Reconciliation
It is the height of arrogance to assume that one adheres to either wholly conservative or wholly liberal ideology in political or social thinking. Not only is it arrogant but grossly ignorant to judge someone on a specific view in a specific context. As a case in point, I am frequently hearing from people that religion is inherently repressive/oppressive. This view is so common now as to be as pedestrian as it is sweeping. Do people really think it is revolutionary to attack organized religion in this day and age? In the realm of culture, and the progression inherent there in, to constantly repeat the same dogma over and over is not only boring but the highest crime. The creative person is always looking for the new, once that is realized it is already out of style. The same is true of progressive ideology, continuing to attack religion as a wholly repressive or oppressive institution in an overwhelming secular culture is not "fashion forward" (to put it in the parlance of our time).
While progressive ideology looks for the "new" solutions the conservative looks to the "true" or proven solutions. Once a "new" or progressive solution has been tried and proven successful it is no longer new but "true", in the conservative sense. Ergo all solutions start out as progressive and end up as conservative; newer than new becomes tired and boring. This is the cycle of life. The reason religion will not leave culture, even in one as secular as the West is that it still provides a solution to life's vicissitudes. Religion has provided many people with a "truth", perhaps not the total truth but one that is enough for them. Here is where progressives need to inquire for new fruit. Religion can be a great benefit to humanity just as easily as it is a crutch. Perhaps we should be looking for the fruits in other perspectives and not totally discount someone's perspective simply because they have a faith we disagree with. Why not be the bigger person?
While progressive ideology looks for the "new" solutions the conservative looks to the "true" or proven solutions. Once a "new" or progressive solution has been tried and proven successful it is no longer new but "true", in the conservative sense. Ergo all solutions start out as progressive and end up as conservative; newer than new becomes tired and boring. This is the cycle of life. The reason religion will not leave culture, even in one as secular as the West is that it still provides a solution to life's vicissitudes. Religion has provided many people with a "truth", perhaps not the total truth but one that is enough for them. Here is where progressives need to inquire for new fruit. Religion can be a great benefit to humanity just as easily as it is a crutch. Perhaps we should be looking for the fruits in other perspectives and not totally discount someone's perspective simply because they have a faith we disagree with. Why not be the bigger person?