Believers vs. Truth-Seekers

[info being]

Right Wing, Left Wing, Liberal, Conservative…we get so caught up in these labels that we become paralyzed. I’m not even sure these terms have any meaning whatsoever.

Case in point: the debate about whether the media is liberal or conservative.

We shake our heads in disbelief when conservatives complain about liberal bias. Well I’ve come to the conclusion that their points are valid. The media often reflects values that are destructive to the conservative mindset…too often what is reflected are destructive ideas designed to shock. So it doesn’t really make sense to a conservative when we say the media is too conservative. Of course what’s really wrong with the media is that it is on the side of power, not people. So we’re using the wrong paradigm to evaluate it and our thought is paralyzed. I wonder, sometimes, whether the very idea of liberal vs. conservative was designed to block thought, turn us against each other, and blind us to the truth.

I’ll suggest that most people who identify as liberals or conservatives all want essentially the same things. They all want to have a nice lifestyle, freedom, and to live in a society based on good moral values. Talk to a conservative using these terms and you’ll find they agree.

What separates us is NOT liberal vs. conservative. After all, those words have a different meaning to everyone. Next time you get called a liberal, ask the person to define it. I’m sure you’ll be shocked, but the point is they actually believe their own definition. So when you call yourself a liberal, you’re allowing people to label you based on their own stereotypes. Maybe we should try talking about ideas and avoid using labels.

Yet we know that the American public is deeply divided. There actually might be a more useful label than liberal and conservative. I submit that the division is based on how we see ourselves in relation to power:

Believers vs. Truth-seekers

Some people are driven by a need for faith in power…whether faith in church or government…they “just gotta believe.” Others are driven by a need for truth at any cost. A Christian doesn’t go to Church to question, but to gain faith. A Believer doesn’t turn on TV to question, but to affirm faith in the establishment. But a Truth-seeker does the opposite.

Next time you get into a debate, ask “Are you a Believer or a Truth-seeker.” Good luck trying to change a Believer’s mind without providing something more powerful to believe in.

[el_gato]

1. good post info

[greyl]

2. Good points. :)

There are some related threads in the Meeting Room you may be interested in.

[wuushew]

3. How do you reconcile these two ideas...

"The truth shall set you free"

"Ignorance is bliss"

[IrateCitizen]

4. Because while ignorance may give you immediate "bliss"...

... in the end, it will only provide the chains for your slavery. You'll probably just be too unaware to know the difference.

[info being]

5. Good question

Those two statements would be at each end of the spectrum I'm imaging..."The truth shall set you free" is obviously the mantra of a Truth-seeker.

As you might imagine, I see myself as a Truth-seeker. And in the spirit of being honest, I can't refute the idea that ignorance is bliss. Sometimes it does seem that, the more knowledgeable I become, the more difficult life becomes for me.

So I'd argue that these ideas are not contradictory and require no reconciliation. Here's why:

Freedom doesn't equal bliss. Freedom equals burden and responsibility.