Getting Honest
Fr. Tony’s Midweek Message
June 27, 2018
One of the great losses to society and our greater community
in winner-take-all, speak-to-the-base tribal politics is honesty and a desire
to seek the truth. Damning your opponent
for the same or similar sins you defended or turned a blind eye to in your own chosen
standard bearer is but one example of this.
Seeking a quick and devasting sound bite or anathematizing meme to blame
an opponent instead of nuanced attention to the cost-benefit and moral analysis
of a policy is another. Appeals to
ideology instead of facts, and all-or-nothing thinking brings us quickly where
we are unable to compromise and balance competing interests and values. All we are left with is lying and turning a blind
eye to inconvenient facts and a deaf ear to our opponents.
Part of growing up, I think, is learning that certain things
come with a cost, and that the choices we make in life have costs and
consequences—not because of some overarching enforcer of rules in the universe,
but simply because that’s the way things are.
Some things rule out other things just by their nature. You may very well be able to pursue
protectionist policies and at the same time say you value free trade, but you
cannot enjoy the benefits of free trade, including closer international
community and lower costs to the consumer.
You draw into question the sincerity of your
morality when you condemn sexual harassment and abuse in the opposing party but
countenance it in your own. You may be well
claim to value American ideals, but you empty them of all meaning when you spew
hatred of the foreigner and fear of immigrants and refugees to shore up your
base. You may be able to say you are not
a racist while you hound anyone who works against white privilege, but you
cannot work toward real racial reconciliation in society while doing so.
Honesty is a willingness to conform one’s opinions and
behavior to reality despite your ideology or your preferences. Flannery
O’Conner said, “The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach
it.” Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “You are
entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts.” This is why truth-telling is essential in a
democratic society. It is also why
support and attention to science is so important in policy planning.
C.S. Lewis wrote that asking God to forgive our sins without
any intention of reforming our lives is like asking God to heal us without making
us get better.
I once counseled a man who wanted a happy family life, but
was reluctant to be faithful to his wife.
All I could tell him was that he wanted two contradictory things, and he
needed to decide what exactly he wanted more.
We often encounter candidates for office who say they want
to balance the budget, increase services and projects, and yet cut taxes. They have many fantasy ways of arguing that
none of this is self-contradictory.
Regardless, both the left and the right tend to share in their own ways
unrealistic and magical thinking. All or nothing thinking
Being honest with our self, and insisting on honesty in our
political leadership is the only way to avoid the trap of “believing our own propaganda”
and deceiving our self and others. A free and independent press and judiciary
under the rule of law help us do this.
“Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our
heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people
mindful of your favor and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable
industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and
confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our
liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here from
many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in
your Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and
peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your
praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our
hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in
you to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (BCP, p.
820)
Grace and peace,
Fr. Tony+
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