Rationale

I've been thinking on my entry on fear from the other day and then on this snippet from Psalm 140 - 'Deliver me, Lord, from the wicked; preserve me from the violent, from those who plan evil in their hearts, who stir up conflicts every day, who sharpen their tongues like serpents, venom of asps upon their lips.' - and I hate how closely connected the two are in behavior.

Maybe I'm getting a little too Yoda on myself (see the video clip below if you have no idea what I'm talking about) but all too often fears are used to provoke and stir up hate, to create conflict from peace, and to poison our minds and behaviors.

Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, one thing you can say about the words and speeches of our new president is that he has cast off the language and rhetoric of fear and hate in favor of something filled with reason and hope. I find strength in the fact that every time I listen to our leaders now I need not steel myself against words designed to manipulate insecurities and rational thinking. It's refreshing to look forward to a speech by a national leader because our message is no longer about dividing us and them, but community and purpose and inspiration.

Whether you agree with the politics or not, whether you think it candy coated hogwash or real inspiration, you cannot deny that no longer are we subject to the words of fear and conflict, and that gives me comfort.

What is it about us though, I wonder, that lets others get away with fear and hate mongering? Free speech is not what I'm debating here, but a lack of persistence and strength in resisting the use of fear and terror as an assault on hope and reason. I am sure we all know someone that spews bile every time they talk, that ferments hatred and drinks it in with drunken glee, and revels in the discord they cause with their putrescent words; let's take a stand the next time we see it, or hear it, and put reason and hope to the test - I'm willing to bet they will win out in the end if we stick to our principles.