As usual you’ve done an amazing job of extolling the virtues of reading stories, or at least the right stories. Is there I wonder such a thing as the wrong stories and what would we learn (or be wary of) from those. And, more importantly- how do we tell the difference?
That is a VERY good question, Jon, and I would say absolutely, yes.
...that's the EASY part.
The HARD part, IMHO,....is defining the 'wrong' stories...because that is individual.
I will point fingers at myself only, but I'll make this simple:
If there are stories that encroach upon my beliefs and values, or try to destroy, program, entice my children to leave those values I have raised them with, then that is the wrong story.
It's not revealing evil.
It's enticing a reader to DO evil.
That, to me, is the wrong story, and there are a hell of a lot of them out there.
Do I believe they should be burned or destroyed?
That's where people often hate me, because I say 'no'. It's still choice. You choose what to read. I do not believe there is a such a thing as 'hate speech' except when calling for violence. I defend people's right to say what they feel to say. I reserve the right to do the same, whether or not you support or agree with me.
But at the same time, I also reserve the right, and I WILL fight you when you try to use stories to indoctrinate me or those around me.
Definitions are tricky, but they are critical as well.
Many have swayed me to open my perspectives by definitions.
They didn't pull me away from my beliefs and values, but some have helped me to understand THEIRS better, and I'm grateful for that. I try to seek clarity, even if i cannot come to agreement.
Only you know what a bad story is. Only you can open your heart to a conversation or seek understanding. That is your choice. There are aspects of life and culture that I refuse to accept, because it creates inferior people. It creates contention. It creates division. It goes against the teachings of Jesus Christ, which I try (though I usually fail) to live by.
I'm not in a box, but i do believe in law, rules, and making the world a better place by encouraging thought, conversation, and freedom...so long as it does not restrict others from doing the same.
As usual you’ve done an amazing job of extolling the virtues of reading stories, or at least the right stories. Is there I wonder such a thing as the wrong stories and what would we learn (or be wary of) from those. And, more importantly- how do we tell the difference?
That is a VERY good question, Jon, and I would say absolutely, yes.
...that's the EASY part.
The HARD part, IMHO,....is defining the 'wrong' stories...because that is individual.
I will point fingers at myself only, but I'll make this simple:
If there are stories that encroach upon my beliefs and values, or try to destroy, program, entice my children to leave those values I have raised them with, then that is the wrong story.
It's not revealing evil.
It's enticing a reader to DO evil.
That, to me, is the wrong story, and there are a hell of a lot of them out there.
Do I believe they should be burned or destroyed?
That's where people often hate me, because I say 'no'. It's still choice. You choose what to read. I do not believe there is a such a thing as 'hate speech' except when calling for violence. I defend people's right to say what they feel to say. I reserve the right to do the same, whether or not you support or agree with me.
But at the same time, I also reserve the right, and I WILL fight you when you try to use stories to indoctrinate me or those around me.
Definitions are tricky, but they are critical as well.
Many have swayed me to open my perspectives by definitions.
They didn't pull me away from my beliefs and values, but some have helped me to understand THEIRS better, and I'm grateful for that. I try to seek clarity, even if i cannot come to agreement.
Only you know what a bad story is. Only you can open your heart to a conversation or seek understanding. That is your choice. There are aspects of life and culture that I refuse to accept, because it creates inferior people. It creates contention. It creates division. It goes against the teachings of Jesus Christ, which I try (though I usually fail) to live by.
I'm not in a box, but i do believe in law, rules, and making the world a better place by encouraging thought, conversation, and freedom...so long as it does not restrict others from doing the same.