Go here to read the column. It all comes down to what you really want out of life. If your goal is money and a quiet life, hiding your opinions when among those hostile to them makes sense. If your goal is to stand up for truth as you see it, and make converts when you can, a more forthright approach is called for.
In my life I have not infrequently found myself in the minority. I have defended what I believe in to the best of my ability, using humor when I can and passion when I must. I have often in such circumstances been approached quietly by other people stating that they wished they had my willingness to stand up. I have often been surprised by those who have supported me publicly who, in a million years, I would not have guessed they would.
To the young my advice is to take what you believe in seriously, yourself not so much. You were not brought into this Vale of Tears to stand ingloriously mute before those who hate what you cherish. Cowardice is always a sin and it becomes too easily a habit. Courage is a virtue, and it too can become a habit.
Amen!
Suppose you’re a duck in a bank of swans? (“bank” is the collective for swans gathered at the side of a river….look it up.)
Just so long as you aren’t an ugly duckling Bob!
This brings to mind a childhood moment where, while attending a Catholic school In the election of 1960, I insisted upon wearing a Nixon button… Needless to say, almost everyone supported John Kennedy. Got a lot of fights. I was too young to even know the differences between the candidates, but one thing I was sure about. I wasn’t gonna take it off when somebody else tried to make me.
Eventually got kicked out of the school as a troublemaker.
I struggle with this … Not so much speaking the truth to those who are disinclined to agree with me (as anyone who reads this blog probably knows already 😀 ), but in that we were commanded to go out and make disciples of all nations, but also told do not cast your pearls before swine. We are told If you fail to speak the truth, trouble will follow (Proverbs 10:10) and that instruction of the ignorant is a spiritual work of mercy, but also the instruction of fools is folly (Proverbs 16:22)
How are we to know when to do what? Prudence? Wisdom? I mean, throw a little pride in the mix and most people will self-identify as the swan. In this bizarro world growing up around us, virtue (and vice) is in the eye of the beholder.
LKL,
The irony of your experience is that JFK’s reputation has steadily sunk ever lower back into the swamp from whence it came, while Nixon’s has steadily improved over the decades.
Once again, the saying is proven true that, “The will of God is beautiful, but those who do not persevere shall never behold its beauty.” [Brother Petroc’s Return, paraphrased]
“take what you believe in seriously, yourself not so much.”
Pure gold, Don.
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Sometimes the duck will peck at the swan because it feels like it. And for no other reason…just saying.
Thanks for the encouragement to stand up for whats right and true and of God.