Small mindedness has lead to nearly every argument (not debate) that I've ever been a part of.

Sometimes the argument would end with either a silenced mouth or the patience to not shoot for a brain numbing retort. But thinking before we jump into a useless argument seems to be what most of humanity falls into. Even though it may the most inhumane thing that we can do.

Let's put it this way "you can teach a human to read and write, but you can't teach a duck to quack." The point being humans are capable of doing useful things that will consciously further their existence either sociologically, spiritually, or physically speaking. A Duck however cannot be taught to quack... because it was born with the ability. Sure you can train a duck to do something new (like swim backwards or eat jelly beans), but it will never expound upon what it's natural born ability on its own.

So why do we resort to the animal-like tendency of letting things just stay ignorant instead of learning enough to avoid or defuse arguments?

Some reasons may include:
- mental laziness
- emotional selfishness (a desire to satisfy one's self instead of a betterment of relationships)
- innocent ignorance to what being human really is.

Maybe that's why Christianity is so important. Because it presents to us a new way of humanity. Though it is often distressed under the influence of anger, bigotry, or severe misinterpretation of the scriptures, many have discovered the path of the cross is not as simple as morality and religion. But the path of the cross is learning, seeking, and falling into a rhythm of mercy, justice, and love.

So what does this have to do with humans arguing amongst each other? I don't know for sure, but perhaps the way that we argue is the easiest to put our brokenness as humans under the microscope to reveal what the real disease is.

grace and peace,
tom