ignorance and action (or lack thereof)
I used to believe that ignorance was one of the major problems in this world. Ignorance caused hatred, racism, injustice, complacency... I used to think "if they only knew!" Education and information could fight the biggest problems in this world- war, AIDS, drugs, poverty. One of my high school friends and I were in Model United Nations together, and in any mock debates about world issues, we would always want to argue the same solution: "Kill all the stupid people and we won't have to deal with this problem anymore!" (Clearly that solution has some problems of it's own, but you get the idea.)
And then I learned that education was not enough. I saw that some of the wisest people were the least educated. Many homeless people I have met on the street have been far more profound and wise than many college-educated adults that I know. There are people who barely made it through grade-school and have a clearer picture of how the world works than some with Master's degrees. Education isn't the answer- life experience and perspective are also needed to have the wisdom to replace the ignorance in this world. Just because someone has a college degree doesn't mean they are any wiser than someone who doesn't. Worse off, the people with the degree tend to have more pride... and pride leads to more ignorance. I've met a whole lot of prideful people who have completely lost the ability to learn and grow because they are so stubborn and self-confident that they already know everything important there is to know. They become close-minded and talk a whole lot more than they care to listen and learn.
And then I met Christians- I have been since I'm become one. After getting involved in Christian ministries and missions, I have Christian friends everywhere in my life, and all over the country, too. Now maybe you guess that I am somehow going to twist this into some "become a Christian so you won't be ignorant any more". I suppose I could, but that isn't my point for now. I merely want to use many Christian friends of mine (and myself also) as an example of how education and perspective and experience still aren't enough to fight the major plagues of this planet. So many Christians know so so so much about the bible, about Christian doctrine, about theology, about how Christians should live out their faith, and about Jesus... but there is a huge gap between what we know and how we act. I guess I could give examples of this gap, but you all probably have a few of your own.
So, that is my conclusion. Sometimes the problem is ignorance, sometimes it's perspective, but most often, it is lack of action. We can talk the talk but not walk the walk.
Our words and our actions should say the same things, and if they don't, actions are probably telling the truth.
And then I learned that education was not enough. I saw that some of the wisest people were the least educated. Many homeless people I have met on the street have been far more profound and wise than many college-educated adults that I know. There are people who barely made it through grade-school and have a clearer picture of how the world works than some with Master's degrees. Education isn't the answer- life experience and perspective are also needed to have the wisdom to replace the ignorance in this world. Just because someone has a college degree doesn't mean they are any wiser than someone who doesn't. Worse off, the people with the degree tend to have more pride... and pride leads to more ignorance. I've met a whole lot of prideful people who have completely lost the ability to learn and grow because they are so stubborn and self-confident that they already know everything important there is to know. They become close-minded and talk a whole lot more than they care to listen and learn.
And then I met Christians- I have been since I'm become one. After getting involved in Christian ministries and missions, I have Christian friends everywhere in my life, and all over the country, too. Now maybe you guess that I am somehow going to twist this into some "become a Christian so you won't be ignorant any more". I suppose I could, but that isn't my point for now. I merely want to use many Christian friends of mine (and myself also) as an example of how education and perspective and experience still aren't enough to fight the major plagues of this planet. So many Christians know so so so much about the bible, about Christian doctrine, about theology, about how Christians should live out their faith, and about Jesus... but there is a huge gap between what we know and how we act. I guess I could give examples of this gap, but you all probably have a few of your own.
So, that is my conclusion. Sometimes the problem is ignorance, sometimes it's perspective, but most often, it is lack of action. We can talk the talk but not walk the walk.
Our words and our actions should say the same things, and if they don't, actions are probably telling the truth.
posted by maria at 7:13 PM
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