By Rev. Anthony M. Gamley
Another election season is upon us, and we are faced with the immense privilege and responsibility of casting our votes – a right denied to thousands around the world, a right that came to millions in South Africa, my home country, only in 1994. Yet again we are being assailed with campaign rhetoric packed with promises vs. personal attacks; facts vs. fabrications, misinformation and false narratives; civility vs. disrespect and insult.
We're told, "Words matter": yet words are frequently twisted and agendas distorted – all with the obvious self-serving intention by individuals or groups, of gaining or retaining power, wealth and status. Re-election often appears to be the motive underlying the assault on the cardinal democratic values of principle over party; the best interests of the people over egocentric self-interest.
If falsehoods are rehearsed often enough, then those who don't interrogate them will be inclined to believe they're true. Think of Hitler and the dehumanizing, disparaging, heartless, demeaning lies told, then believed, about the Jewish people – and what that led to. Or Jim Jones, whose basic message was that the world was "going to custard" and it was time to get out – time to drink the Kool Aid.
What must our young people – the next generation of leaders – think, when they hear highly-trained, supposedly intelligent lawmakers and other leaders using the vilest expletives and toxic, vitriolic language to express themselves, all for cheap and selfish gain? What kind of example is such brash behavior to young people? Freedom of speech – indeed all freedom – must have boundaries and guardrails, or else it becomes license with no accountability; in which case the values of true democracy evaporate in a welter of crass language, repeated lies, accusation and counter-accusation.
No-one says it better than James in the Bible: With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. – James 3:9,10
There's an old tried-and-tested litmus-test we can apply before we speak or listen, especially in heated, volatile moments: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? If we don't pass this test before speaking or listening, then it's best we remain silent for a while, take a deep breath, bite our tongues, count to ten, or remove ourselves from the situation!
An ancient Arabic proverb states the following concerning the use of the tongue: "Three things come not back: The spent arrow, the spoken word, and the lost opportunity."
And the psalmist accurately discerned human nature when he prayed: Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. – Psalm 141:3 (New International Version)
May we too fine-tune and sensitize our speaking and our listening, as we head for the polls next Tuesday.
Rev. Anthony M. Gamley is the interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Ukiah.
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