A CHANGE OF TUNE, MY CONVERSION TO CONCIENSE
By Bob Nicholas on Dec 17, 2008 in Family, Holiness, MEN, Racism, Society
Today I had to travel for work and drive six hours round trip. Rather than scan the radio stations to make the trip faster,
I decided to try something new. I turned off the radio and while I had to make a couple of calls for work, most of my time
was spent in silence. I found myself at times singing, or talking to myself to break the silence….Funny how even when the
conversation is with ourselves, or with God, we are still unconciously affected by silence. 
During my day I also had a conversation with someone regarding racial stereotypes and my struggles to break free from racists
viewpoints (see earlier posts on this issue for reference). Also during my day I had a conversation about universal health
care and the ideal that the only reason it is attached to one’s employment is that the unions used it as a carrot to get
people to join them. Without that time and history, healthcare would be still treated like car insurance and found in a more
free market manner. Also add that when I returned home I watched “secret millionaire” with my wife and older children.
Okay, now see if you can keep up….
I’m very frustrated with people right now.
On my way to my appointment, and on the way home, I had to deal with an extremely inconsiderate driver. Let me paint the
picture…He drives a late 90s Crown Vic with like 25″ wheels. The car is in bad shape and the rims are the nicest thing on
it. He punches it and accelerates, tailgates, changes lanes irradically, and is basically incapable of being a part of the
human population.
Judging by the cars exit, and location within the city, this person is exactly the stereotype I am trying to remove from my mind and heart. I don’t know him, don’t know if he has a family, don’t know what his job is, don’t know his faith, and don’t know his heart. But I found myself thinking about how five minutes alone in a padded room with me would change his ways…
Many of us think we are “right” when we think this way. I often have discussions with people who disagree with me that Rush Lumbaugh and Howard Stern are exactly alike. Most of the time their disagreement with me is becuase they personally agree with one or the other…. Of course both of them propogandize the truth simply to get ratings and make more money. Neither has the good of their listeners as their primary focus.
This is the same thing. I behaved the same. I believe I can tell this person what for and he’ll change his beliefs. As if I have some ability to convert??? As if I am God…
The other day in a group dicussion someone said that we as believers go to God, obtain Grace, and pass it on to others. While I respect this person, and I didn’t chastize him for the statement at the time, it’s basically…um… 1 gazillion percent incorrect. People cannot impart what we do not possess. Grace, is God’s and is a free gift to us individually and as a Church.
So you are now asking me to get to the point. Okay already.
What is my change of tune: Well I’m sorry for thinking and judging that person the way I did. I’m sorry for possessing stereotypes that tear down the body of Christ rather than build it up. And Lord, I’m sorry for not doing more to help others move past their stereotypes as well.
What is my conversion to conciense.
4 Comment(s)
By Leo on Dec 24, 2008 | Reply
Hey Bob,
Since we had our last discussion about Rush, I spent a lot more time listening to him to try to evaluate what you were saying. I’d concede that he does use far too many ad hominem attacks on political liberals (whether they are Democrat or Republican). But the only thing he has in common with Stern is that they are both entertainers. Saying they are exactly the same is akin to saying that Pope Pius XII and Hitler were exactly alike because they were both Catholic, or that there’s no difference between venial and mortal sin, because sin is sin. But maybe I’m just being overly semantic about this (and if you disagree, that means you’re Anti-Semantic).
I only bring it up again, because I want you writings to change minds and hearts. If you say that Rush (or Republicans, or President Bush) is wrong about x, y, and z, people are more likely to listen. When you conflate a person, or thing, or idea with its polar opposite, people put on blinders, and cover their ears. In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the comparison of Stern and Rush is also an example of the political porn you were arguing against.
To be sure, there are Catholics that put their politics ahead of their faith. There have been times in my life, where I was one of them. What eventually brought me around on those particular issues were writings that didn’t automatically make me raise my defenses. I now recognize that failing within me and I pray that I will always think with the mind of the Church (and not my heart, but that’s another topic).
May God continue to bless you and your family!
Merry Christmas,
By bob on Dec 25, 2008 | Reply
Leo,
Thank you for your follow-up to our conversation! I loved our dialog and am honored that you want to continue the conversation.
I agree that a broad brush approach saying that Rush and Stern are exactly alike may be strong. I do believe they are very similar in their motivations and actions. While they differ greatly in opinion, they are both motivated by ratings and both use non-Christian approaches to presenting their position.
I guess I don’t understand what you mean when you write, “In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the comparison of Stern and Rush is also an example of the political porn you were arguing against.” If you mean that I am engaging in political porn by placing them both in the same category, then I disagree. Political porn is the objectification or sensationalizing of issues or people for personal gain (simple definition). I’m not objectifying either of them, nor I am sensationalizing them or their viewpoints. I simply pointed out that both act in a non-Christian manner in order to advance their viewpoints. Both are extreme examples of their sides of the spectrum.
We share the same goal of evangelicalism and love and you are correct, I hope and pray that our writings, conversations, etc will change minds and hearts. If one believes strongly that Rush or Stern are right, and agree with their particular favorite, then my likening one to the other may cause them to open dialog. I’ve had this happen on more than 4-6 times in the last few months. Just a simple comparison of Rush and Stern caused one person to fervently disagree and our dialog was wonderfully blessed. While I agree that writings that do not make ones defenses go up are a great way to evangelize, sometimes we also need those that challenge us directly and put us on the defense to help us see the frailty of our arguments. Many people, self included, required a stronger approach to help us see the light and Truth. I always joke that God uses a stick to tap some people on the shoulder but for me he used a steel pipe. At any rate, I think we agree for the most part and perhaps my comparison of Rush and Stern is strong and abrasive, but then sometime that approach is necessary. While at other times a softer approach is more effective. I pray that we both have the wisdom to know the difference and the grace to act upon it.
God bless you brother. I will try to make Fishers again soon.
bob
By Leo Kearns on Jan 19, 2009 | Reply
Hi Bob,
You’ve convinced me. I read your original comments through my own prism, and extrapolated from there. Since everyone’s prism is different, different approaches are needed. The correct answer to the question “what’s the right approach?” is, both of them.
Thanks for this dialogue. For me, it has reemphasized how important it is for all of us to do our part in the New Evangelization.
God bless,
Leo
By bob on Jan 20, 2009 | Reply
Leo, Thank you for the follow-up. I am blessed by this dialog and by your friendship. We are all on the same team and all are necessary for the transformation of the world.
I look forward to seeing you soon brother.
God bless.