Posted by
Bob Siegel on Wednesday, September 02, 2009 6:06:38 PM
Words can be very powerful and the twisted definition of a word can be
dangerous. Here is a list of words and phrases that I would like to see
permanently retired from our discussions.
1) "I find this offensive."
Today's generation gets offended far too easily. Some would be offended
if a leaf fell from a tree. Frankly, I do not care if words offend. I
care more about whether words are true. Our forefathers knew that free
speech would often offend. Why else would they need to be protected by
our constitution? Certainly, there is no reason to purposely
offend people as an end in itself. We should never go out of our way to
be rude, neither should we act self-righteous or inappropriately
judgmental as Christians. But when somebody is offended simply by a
manger scene, or a cross around the neck, or an opposing political
viewpoint, then we must face the fact that we live in very thin skinned
times and stop worrying so much about what offends.
2) Tolerance
"You sound intolerant!" people cry, in an effort to quickly shut up
their opponent and end all discussion. But the truth is, nobody, and I
mean nobody
tolerates everything. Do you tolerate slavery? Do you tolerate racism?
Do you tolerate rape? Do you tolerate murder? OK, then each topic
should be discussed on its own moral merits. When homosexuality comes
up (the true subject hiding behind the word "tolerance") the question
should not be whether or not we tolerate the practice but why we do or not not tolerate the practice.
Don't miss Part Two:
Words And Phrases That Should Be Peranently Retired: Part Two
The Bob Siegel Show can be heard every Sunday at
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