One of the most embarrassing feelings known to human kind is being in the dark about something. When you're later enlightened about your misconception, you realize how foolish you were for saying something or acting in a certain way while in your ignorant state.
It's a lot like being angry for someone for driving slowly, then later learning that the driver was in fact a father who had just come back from the hospital and was bringing his newborn child home for the first time. Or like yelling at the young man behind the counter for counting too slowly when in fact he has a mental disability. Or like making fun of someone's parents only to realize they're deceased (that always happens).
Thus, one can say that most disagreements simply arise out of lack of information. Two sides have differing information, but they think the root of their disagreement is that the other person has poor judgment and poor values. Yet in fact, most people would likely share opinions if they had the same information. To get two people into agreement, you need to determine where the information gap is and fill it. Instead, what often happens is that the two sides attack each other on more superficial grounds, and one or both sides leave just as uninformed and determined as they came in.
And that is why St. Paul reminds us to speak the truth in love. Instead of attacking, we are to enlighten. It is our duty.
It's a lot like being angry for someone for driving slowly, then later learning that the driver was in fact a father who had just come back from the hospital and was bringing his newborn child home for the first time. Or like yelling at the young man behind the counter for counting too slowly when in fact he has a mental disability. Or like making fun of someone's parents only to realize they're deceased (that always happens).
Thus, one can say that most disagreements simply arise out of lack of information. Two sides have differing information, but they think the root of their disagreement is that the other person has poor judgment and poor values. Yet in fact, most people would likely share opinions if they had the same information. To get two people into agreement, you need to determine where the information gap is and fill it. Instead, what often happens is that the two sides attack each other on more superficial grounds, and one or both sides leave just as uninformed and determined as they came in.
And that is why St. Paul reminds us to speak the truth in love. Instead of attacking, we are to enlighten. It is our duty.
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