There seem to be a larger-than-you'd-think number of people who believe Sandy Hook was a hoax. I keep seeing articles being posted to this end. I'm not going to address whether the tragedy really happened or not. What I do want to address is the sad lack of trust we now have for the "other side" or our government in general. We so distrust each other that we now can't even take at face value when tragedies happen.
According to those who believe Sandy Hook was a hoax, the whole thing is just a ploy to push for gun control with the ultimate goal of disarming Americans. I'm just finding it such a sad state of affairs that we have this little regard for each others' integrity anymore. But it goes on on both sides. And honestly, this culture of deceit has been built over decades by the politicians who keep lying to us day after day after day. They tell us what we want to hear to get into office. Then they do whatever they want to do, vote for things that go against what they claim to stand for and then lie about their reasons for doing so in order to get back into office.
I love debating politics. But I find myself spending less and less time on political boards because it's mainly people yelling and belittling. Trying to prove they are right and the other side is wrong - dead wrong - stupid even. Meanwhile, what is accomplished with all this yelling and arguing and insulting? Well, trust continues to dwindle. People are demonized. Problems remain unsolved. In fact, the problems continue to grow bigger while we beat each other up.
What difference can one person make in such a nasty, negative climate? I don't know. But maybe it starts with refusing to be part of the problem anymore. I can stop wasting time shouting at people and insulting them, hoping to change their minds that way. Hey, here's a question. How many people's minds have you changed by insulting them anyway?
To paraphrase something my pastor recently said, when we are faced with so much evil and bad in the world, we can still choose to focus our energies on being a part of the good that is going on in the world. Find it. It's out there. Sure, it's easy to blast that person that you disagree with. But why not take the high road and for once look for something you can agree on? Spend time looking for answers instead of formulating great comebacks and nasty insults. Quit assuming the worst possible motives of people who disagree with you. Start having a little faith. Just a little. Give that person the benefit of the doubt instead.
Don't get me wrong. I totally believe the country is headed in a bad direction. But instead of getting mired in the bog and believing the absolute worst about everyone and everything, I choose to stop being part of the problem. I choose to be a positive voice. Or when I can't be that, to at least be neutral and stop tearing people down. We are NEVER going to get far if we don't start having just a little faith in each other. It has to start somewhere. I'm starting with me. Right now.
