'Tis not Sunday, and I thought to offer a scriptural take on civility come Sunday, but how about I jump a day early?
More thought on yesterday's post. While offering no correction would be a polite course if someone got Gabrielle Giffords' name wrong and called her Gabrielle Griffins, that does not mean a polite correction would be wrong.
But it must be polite.
"The Arizona representative's last name is Giffords, not Griffins." A simple statement such as that will be enough, then letting it go and moving on. What will matter, is the tone with which the correction is delivered. Speak your words in an apologetic tone. Sound and be forgiving. Do no let harshness enter your voice, nor malice, nor haughtiness. Do not be condescending.
Be meek.
As I thought on this, it occurred to me this is a good rule anytime a correction is offered, whether it be for something inconsequential, or for something substantive to the debate.
And, so it is that the scripture (Proverbs 15:1) offers this advice to those in the political arena: "A Soft Answer Turneth Away Wrath." I think perhaps to change one word, although both work, and offer the advice as, "A gentle answer turneth away wrath."
No comments:
Post a Comment