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Crisis of identity lead by lack of wisdom? Printable Version PRINTABLE VERSION
by asheiri, United Kingdom Sep 29, 2004
Peace & Conflict   Opinions

  

Do some people perceive, that being a Christian, creates a sense of difference the same way as being black or white does; the same way that being from a different culture or race does? If this is so, does this sense of belonging automatically cause and create the same basis which leads to division? Need it, and ought it to be this way? We have spent many years and slaughtered millions trying to do away with all of these misperceived differences and yet we sometimes take such pride in being different. Is this misguided understanding of our sense of identity not the cause of so much strife in our world? I say our world because that’s what it is. It is not my world or your world. Our world. We as individuals or as community do not own it. We do as humans. Being humans does not entail we be clones or involve being homogenized. This fear of being the same or not being different is misunderstood. To stand united need not and should not be a threat. We are all the same except for our individuality and we are using this individuality to isolate us from our humanity rather than enjoying this diversity which is our only common ground.

Once we continue to label, in a way that it is understood that not to be part of that label means will ensure that accord and unity will never be attained. As we continue to understand that to be different means no universal agreement can be then it will be so. Once we remain seeing our differences as a sense of being better than, or the only way, or not equal to, we will always continue to do battle. We must accept that being individuals is the only way we can become whole and be one. We must overcome this understanding that our individuality is not at risk by being united. Why is this so hard to comprehend?

One of the strongest and yet most exclusive statement in the Christian bible is: the only way to me is through the son. How can this be not seen as a value judgment? How can this not be read as an apartheid statement? Most religions espouse that there is only one God and Christianity states strongly that there is only one way. Therefore it makes a bold assertion of certainty and a gigantic statement of exclusivity. In a world with over six billion discrete minds interpreting independently, however miniscule or diverse that interpretation may be, there seems to be no way on earth to reach accordance on this. Can therefore this certainty be right? How can this be?

Is Christianity one of the great factors of polarization in this world? Is ones faith to be great divider and killer of man? Is one’s faith meant to unite or tear apart be used to join together? We are meant to have developed wisdom. What is wisdom? Is it not the product of knowledge and experience, and is not also more than the accumulation of information? It is the coordination of this information and its deliberate use to improve well-being. In a social context, wisdom allows the individual to listen to others, to evaluate what they say, and then offer them good (sage) advice.

Famous paragons of wisdom include the major religious leaders of history--leaders such as Jesus, Lao-tzu, the Buddha, and the Prophet.

The strength of wisdom refers to the ability to take stock of life in large terms, in ways that make sense to oneself and others. A balanced theory of wisdom might say that people are wise to the extent that they use their intelligence to seek a common good. They do so by balancing their own interests with those of other people and those of larger entities (e.g., family, community, religion, faith, country). Wise people can adapt to new environments, change their environments, or select new environments to achieve an outcome that includes but goes beyond their personal self-interest.

Wisdom is distinct from intelligence as measured by IQ tests. Indeed, it can be suggested that intelligent, well-educated people are particularly susceptible to four fallacies that inhibit wise choices and actions. These fallacies can be seen like this:

The Egocentrism Fallacy: thinking that the world revolves, or at least should revolve, around you. Acting in ways that benefit you, regardless of how that behaviour affects others.

The Omniscience Fallacy: believing that you know all there is to know and therefore do not have to listen to the advice and counsel of others.

The Omnipotence Fallacy: believing that your intelligence and education somehow makes you all-powerful.

The Invulnerability Fallacy: believing that you can do whatever you want and that others will never be able to hurt you or expose you.

Are we ever to develop universal wisdom?







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asheiri


an irishman abroad.i am tired of seeing the umbrella of religion being used to justify, alienate, exclude and cause so much havoc today. god, it seems to me is no longer understood and for those that try the parameters are very limited by the guidelines laid down by avowed 'experts'. give faith a chance, whatever your faith may be and then we will begin to progress.
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