From Reason to be cheerful, by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Tom Wright, in today’s Guardian:
Reason is in short supply right now, and that is always dangerous. When everybody feels strongly that they know what to do, but nobody stops to think, you will sometimes find that common sense is prevailing; but you may also get lynchings, racist attacks and the cheerful abolition of ancient rights.
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Sadly, it is possible for many people to feel strongly something which comes to be recognised as dangerous nonsense. The 20th century should have taught us that, if nothing else. Feelings are hugely important, but if we rely on them as our guide, we might as well take a compass bearing on a wild goat. When feelings rule, debaters become demagogues.
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… Unfortunately, since victimhood is the only high moral ground left after the collapse of
reasoned discourse, speeches become harangues, name-calling replaces respectful engagement and party spirit trumps public wisdom.* * *
The hermeneutic of suspicion has become our default mode, encouraging us to lump issues into bundles and people into camps. It is much easier that way: it stops you having to think, or engage in real debate.
The Church desperately needs to learn once more the gentle art of reasoned discourse, of respectful engagement, of real debate. It is a better way to be Christian; it is a better way to be human. As Snoopy might have said, clarity ain’t everything, but unclarity ain’t anything.
(Hat tip: TitusOneNine)
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