Words
People have two views on words. Depending on situations you will hear two different things. Words are just words. This is usually used when they don't want you to be offended or when they want to diffuse a situation. The second version is words matter. This is used to emphasize beliefs or philosophies or legal cases.
Recently I have been wondering which group or side can I belong to. Do I have to pick a side? Can a situation dictate the response? I like the idea of having a clear belief. I like black or white positions. I don't like to have principles that rotate. So where do I stand? Do words matter?
Lets examine the two situations. Recently a bunch of Muslims in Malaysia burned down Christian churches because the courts allowed them to use the word Allah to represent their God. Apparently only Muslims can use the word Allah. As a Muslim I know Allah means God. So why is it so offensive when a Christian refers to his God as Allah? In this instance I am on the "its only words!!!!!"
This week my friend and I went to see the movie "The Book of Eli". The movie was about the last bible and the need for it to be saved in the post nuclear war world. The idea being those who wanted to obtain the book, did so because the power of the words. They could move the masses. In that scenario where the masses cannot read, the one with the power to preach could rule. The message became a weapon. In such an instance, as in most illiterate societies words do matter. I am on that side.
So how does a person such as I, wanting a clear position pick one? It seems I should be torn.
In our current world many words are politically incorrect and can cause a lot of hurt. Words between children can do a lot of harm. Calling a child stupid, fat, etc can be harming. So it would be logical to conclude words matter.
The kicker; I don't believe WORDS MATTER. WORDS ARE JUST WORDS!
Words are like guns. Guns by themselves can't kill. Guns loaded and fired by someone can kill.
Intentions are the bullets. Your intent for using the particular words makes words dangerous.
As with guns, education is the key in owning words. We must educate people thus making words safe for all.
Recently I have been wondering which group or side can I belong to. Do I have to pick a side? Can a situation dictate the response? I like the idea of having a clear belief. I like black or white positions. I don't like to have principles that rotate. So where do I stand? Do words matter?
Lets examine the two situations. Recently a bunch of Muslims in Malaysia burned down Christian churches because the courts allowed them to use the word Allah to represent their God. Apparently only Muslims can use the word Allah. As a Muslim I know Allah means God. So why is it so offensive when a Christian refers to his God as Allah? In this instance I am on the "its only words!!!!!"
This week my friend and I went to see the movie "The Book of Eli". The movie was about the last bible and the need for it to be saved in the post nuclear war world. The idea being those who wanted to obtain the book, did so because the power of the words. They could move the masses. In that scenario where the masses cannot read, the one with the power to preach could rule. The message became a weapon. In such an instance, as in most illiterate societies words do matter. I am on that side.
So how does a person such as I, wanting a clear position pick one? It seems I should be torn.
In our current world many words are politically incorrect and can cause a lot of hurt. Words between children can do a lot of harm. Calling a child stupid, fat, etc can be harming. So it would be logical to conclude words matter.
The kicker; I don't believe WORDS MATTER. WORDS ARE JUST WORDS!
Words are like guns. Guns by themselves can't kill. Guns loaded and fired by someone can kill.
Intentions are the bullets. Your intent for using the particular words makes words dangerous.
As with guns, education is the key in owning words. We must educate people thus making words safe for all.
Labels: life lesson, philosophy, political coreectness, words
posted by Toll Erance @ 7:21 PM
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