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The goal is soul

February 8, 2008

By: Stephanie Walstrom <swalstrom@hilite.org>

On the way to school the other day, I drove behind two cars that had almost identical stickers plastered on their bumpers. The first read “Friends don’t let friends vote Democrat.” The other read “Friends don’t let friends vote Republican.”

In the wake of an intense battle for presidential nominations, I’ve become increasingly aware the sometimes-juvenile methods people use to condescend and belittle the opposing opinions of others. It comes in the form of generalizations, oversimplifications of the issues and the aforementioned bumper stickers, to name a few.

Many Americans have adamant opinions when it comes to candidates and government policy. The question I’ve been wrestling with is if it’s possible to find a balance between holding true to my own beliefs and opinions while respecting those of others.
And the battle between tolerance and personal conviction is hardly limited to politics.

I recently read Three Cups of Tea, an autobiography of a man named Greg Mortenson (I had never heard of the guy, but I picked up the book anyway during a two for three special at Borders). Long story short, Mortenson was a mountain climber-turned humanitarian who in the past 15 years has built more than 50 schools in rural locations all around Pakistan and Afghanistan.

It’s definitely a cool story, but Mortenson’s work represents more than just humanitarian efforts. Mortenson was white, American and Christian. In other words, he had several strikes against him when he was working in the Middle East before and after Sept. 11. And yet, because Mortenson exhibited a deep respect and tolerance for Islamic and Pakistani culture, Muslim leaders throughout the entire country were willing to work with him toward the common goal of educating the poor children in Pakistan. And because Mortenson’s schools offered an alternative to the jihad schools some Pakistani children had been attending, his efforts, in some small way, took steps toward peace and tolerance in the Middle East.

Despite the fact that Mortenson’s work was clearly benefiting everyone involved, he received hate mail following the Sept. 11 attacks written by people who disapproved of him building secular schools for Muslim children and not Christian schools.

Back on the topic of bumper stickers, I’ve seen one around that spells out the word “coexist” using a crescent and star to represent Islam, the star of David to represent Judaism and a cross to represent Christianity. The message of those religions peacefully coexisting has stirred up some controversy, and I’ve even heard the idea rejected at a Bible Study I attended. I’ve really had trouble understanding why an attempt to promote unity among different religions and cultures has been snubbed.

It all traces back to the question of tolerance. People wouldn’t steadfastly believe in a religion or adamantly agree with a political party’s ideology if they thought those ideas were incorrect. People are allowed to believe they are right. But I think ignorance in the name of religion or politics is always foolish, whether it takes place in the form of violent religious extremists or a condescending bumper sticker.

One of my biggest fears is that over time I will gradually become less and less tolerant. Maybe it will happen so quietly that one day I wake up and slap a bumper sticker on my car that says “I think, therefore I’m (insert political party here).” As witty as those sayings may be, they convey an elitist message of disrespect towards the opinions of others.

I’m sure my beliefs and opinions will change as I grow older; they’ve already evolved so much in the past year. But I don’t ever want to get to a point where I stop putting myself in the other guy’s shoes to try to understand where he comes from. I don’t ever want to write off someone else’s carefully thought-out opinions as stupid, even if I may not agree. To do so would be to discourage what should be our ultimate goal: finding common ground as human beings. Stephanie Walstrom is a reporter for the HiLite. Contact her at swalstrom@hilite.org.

Updated by ychoi · Filed Under Perspectives 

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