In today’s spotlight I want to open up a discussion regarding the division developing in our country. In my book, Gotcha! The Subordination of Free Will, I fleshed out something Dewey Phyllis, former FBI and Chief of Police, shared. It is the story of how Soviet intelligence planned to corrupt American values and divide its people—a plan that dates back to the fifties.
A Divided House
Now fast forward to the more recent disclosures regarding the investigations into the Russian meddling in American affairs. It’s now publicly known that their agenda, whether messing with our elections, or baiting division with false posts on social networking sites, is to further divide us and weaken confidence in our system of government. Unfortunately, despite our knowledge, folks seem to continue to take the bait.
One need only think of the most recent divisions brought about due to kneeling athletes during our anthem to see the real problem. It’s not that athletes or anyone else should be prohibited from demonstrating—that’s not the real issue. Rather, it’s the vitriol and outright hatred that has embroiled both sides of this issue.
Fueling Rage and Hate
For example, a recent post on FB insisted that opposing athletes who protested by kneeling during the anthem is clearly a sample of racist attitudes. The suggestion is clear, if you think we should all stand during our anthem, before the flag that is supposed to unite us all as Americans, then you must be racist. How you get from respect for the flag to racism is a leap of misunderstanding in my view, but further, calling out patriotic Americans as racist only serves to further divide our nation and promote hatred.
Paraphrasing the book of Mathew, “A house divided against itself will soon fall.” This is exactly what those who wish to destroy America desire! The truly sad fact is we all know this and yet we take the bait and feed the fury.
Why not tone down our over-the-top emotions, stop fueling the fire of hatred, and accept that we all do not agree on much of anything, but we are nevertheless all Americans. We can work to improve our country this way instead of rip it apart.
Lead By Example
I have been appalled by the number of folks who teach “love is all there is” and yet openly share their hatred for this and that, calling those who disagree with them the nastiest of names and recruiting others to do the same. It’s a sad and dissonant practice to promote hatred and division under the guise of peace and love.
For what it’s worth, there is plenty of room in my life for those who disagree with me and my perspectives. However, hate is not only self-destructive, it is an effective force gamed by those who rejoice when America fails, that we play into when we promote hate for one another. There are far better ways to disagree than to dip into the pail of hate!
Golden Rule
Let’s all remember to respect one another, for that old adage embraced in the Golden rule and expressed so eloquently by the famous television show host, Art Linkletter, is very true, “My philosophy is to do the best you can for somebody. Help. It’s not just what you do for yourself. It’s how you treat people decently. The golden rule. There isn’t a big anything better than the golden rule. It’s in every major religion in one language or another.”
Those are my thoughts, I welcome yours?
Eldon Taylor
Provocative Enlightenment
NY Time Bestselling Author of Choices and Illusions
www.eldontaylor.com