We don’t really want to stand up for what we believe, we just would like everyone to think that is the case. As soon as the moment arises that we can show, truly show, where we stand on an issue, we grow silent. I’m not talking about a debate, where people don’t mind being opposed, opposition is expected in such situations; I’m talking about when taking a stand might change your life.
Everyone seems to want to rally behind some cause or belief system, but how passionate are we about it? It seems to me that there are more lack-luster evangelists and activists today than ever. The early Christians were ready to die for their beliefs. No wonder it wasn’t a popular religion in the beginning. Now that there is no penalty for holding Christian beliefs, there are more “Christians” than ever.
Now there are some things that I feel strongly about that I won’t fight tooth and nail for. I think orange is a great color, but, I won’t die for that belief. (laughter goes here) I’m just disappointed because it people are more talk these days than anything else. It seems that comfort has replaced actual principles.
How many of us would quit a job because the company was doing something we didn’t approve of, yet didn’t affect us directly? How many of us would rather be homeless than do something we couldn’t stand? How many of us would stand by someone if it meant being shunned by those you loved? How many of us would do anything on principle if it meant giving up leading comfortable lives?
Some of us may have strong opinions about things for which we may never encounter. Some of us feel strongly about something that we feel may never happen to us, but in all actuality, could. Would we still feel the same way? What if it happened to someone in close proximity to us? What would we do? What if standing by these principles cost us dearly?
This is more of a question, as opposed to a rant. One that I would like to have answered. Can everyone think about some issues they feel strongly about, and ask themselves if they would, beyond a shadow of a doubt, stand by their ideals no matter what?