Polarisation and extremism

[Hala401]

I agree completely with the idea that we demonize others.

A case in point is a certain Rush Limbaugh. The man says outrageously inflamatory things which some people agree with and others do not. His words are so radical that when he first came on, I was surprised that the FCC would allow his broadcasts. So, did someone put him on the air to be America's safety valve, or does he actually inflame people to hate?

I used to be a member of a group, not the Muslims, that seemed to see spreading hate as their duty. I finally left that group partially because I could not reconcile the words of Jesus Christ with what my group was doing.

And the fact that the LDS do not generally speak unkindly of others is one of the key elements that drew me to the church.

[Guest jordan656]

Help fund my thesis on Mormonism and US Politics and contribute to the debate:

Oxford University Student: Research project -- Indiegogo

[prisonchaplain]

I do not consider commentators to be hatemongers. Whether it's Rush Limbaugh or Ed (The Ed Show, MSNBC). These folk express their passionate views through a combination of straight explanation, humor, and yes, sometimes belittling the other side. Nevertheless, they do not advocate violence against their opponents, and they are more like to want to motivate their base than they are to physically attack their opponents. They do not really seek to convert the other side, but rather to entertain and excite their supporters.

Something is wrong though. It's almost impossible to have an intelligent political conversation. When I know someone disagrees with me I tend to just ask questions. Seldom will I engage, unless I know and trust the person. This is sad. However, I'll not lay the blame on some guy or gal on TV or the radio. We are responsible for our own lives.

[rameumptom]

Radical views always bring out extremism. The nation was founded because of a form of extremism. For years, American colonists tried working with the British crown and Parliament, but were not even given a voice in things enacted upon them. The British extremism brought forth extremism among Americans, as their only remedy left.

The American Constitution gave almost no power to the Feds. Democrats and Republicans were careful to not allow the Feds have too much power. Democrats of the South declared "states rights" as cause for secession in 1860. Many Americans today are declaring states and individual rights, because of the extremism of the last 50 years of federal encroachment has forced it. Under Reagan, there was a desire to end big government. Clinton announced the end of big government. Yet, here we are 15 years later with a gigantic government and massive waste and regulation that is turning America the land of the free, into Amerika the land of the Bolsheviks (or at least Greek Socialists).

In religion, when Christians agreed upon the basic principles of the Bible: Ten Commandments, Jesus two great commandments, etc., then there was harmony. Radicalization on the left caused major changes for many churches, allowing sin to be seen as normal. This has forced traditional Christianity to take strong, radical stances of its own, in order to combat such sinful things.

It is as in the beginnings of 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Gadianton robbers radicalized issues so intensely, that the only solution for the Nephites under Lachoneus was to take a radical stance, as well.

[Misshalfway]

I don't know if the polarization stuff is new. I think it's part of human nature and it's been part of cycles throughout history.

What I do think I see, at least in American politics, is a failure to work together for the common good. I think there are too many agendas competing for power. No one is civil or trustworthy anymore.

I long for better days when people valued character.

In regards to moral issues specifically, there is so much muddiness. Perhaps the only way to keep the clear is to take a more radical stance. Hopefully, its a radical and peaceful too.

[Hala401]

I don't know if the polarization stuff is new. I think it's part of human nature and it's been part of cycles throughout history.

What I do think I see, at least in American politics, is a failure to work together for the common good. I think there are too many agendas competing for power. No one is civil or trustworthy anymore.

I long for better days when people valued character.

In regards to moral issues specifically, there is so much muddiness. Perhaps the only way to keep the clear is to take a more radical stance. Hopefully, its a radical and peaceful too.

I see it too and it sometimes makes me feel so low.

From being called a terrorist after spending the day working as a volunteer at the local VA hospital, to listening to certain people on radio and TV that said things so wild and mindless that it made my head spin.

I was on a return flight to Portland from Atlanta and on the leg from Seattle to Portland, I sat with an Air Marshal, who said he was an oil executive. He simply could not understand why a happy woman, in her 50's could posibly be Muslim? Though I tried to convince him that I was searching for the true God, he seemed fixed on the idea that I surely must be carrying a bomb or documents that conveyed hateful messages.

I finally laughed at Mr self importance, and his smiling and entranced companion. "Sir, the danger to America is from within our own midst".

[talisyn]

We were told this would happen, following the example of the Nephites in 3 Nephi 6-7, esp these verses in chapter 7:

2 And the people were divided one against another; and they did separate one from another into tribes, every man according to his family and his kindred and friends; and thus they did destroy the government of the land.

3 And every tribe did appoint a chief or a leader over them; and thus they became tribes and leaders of tribes.

4 Now behold, there was no man among them save he had much family and many kindreds and friends; therefore their tribes became exceedingly great.

5 Now all this was done, and there were no wars as yet among them; and all this iniquity had come upon the people abecause they did byield themselves unto the power of Satan.

6 And the regulations of the government were destroyed, because of the asecret combination of the friends and kindreds of those who murdered the prophets.

This was done, NOT because someone wanted to steal the hard-earned investment money from the wealthy, and not because the poor are all lazy welfare leeches. This happened because secret combinations played the Nephites like a piano, just like we are being played today.