In my book this is the key question: Is the proposed action hurtful or helpful? On these grounds, for example, I do not consume alcoholic beverages for I'm certain in my own mind that alcohol damages the brain permanently. In a sense, to hold this position in America today (the position of a teetotaler) is politically incorrect. That doesn't bother me one iota. Neither does speaking the simple truth about my own personal beliefs or experiences. For example, even though my heart isn't in it, I will sometimes think of the "n" word (say, someone cuts me off in traffic). I admit this publicly to all races. Such candidness bothers some people terribly, but in my view speaking the simple truth at an appropriate moment is the best policy. That is, I strive to be courteous without being politically correct for I think that it is helpful all round to be honest, and that simple confession is good for the soul--yours and mine. Likewise, it bothers me not at all to testify to my Christian faith even among unbelievers. I take these risks essentially because I trust (when push come to shove) in the empathy, fairness, and strength of the American people. My philosophy is best expressed in a quotation by Stephen C. Paul: "When you give up your own truth to win at someone else's game, everyone loses."
Print Page
