Philosphia

I was reading in the Ensign magazine this morning, a rather long article about the family and it's importance in society and in the Church. As I read I found a section on tolerance.
Now, it seems to me (and obviously to the author of the article) that the definition of tolerance has changed recently. It used to be a civil respect of other persons for their belief, race, or other such thing. Now it seems that it is entirely blurring the lines of right and wrong, that being tolerant means that you must not only accept of another's belief/disbelief/sexuality/opinions/arguments/etc, but you must also defend them, fight for them, even if they are not your own. Now, I am a tolerant person. I believe that if you want to believe something, go right ahead. Just let me believe what I want as well. I belong to what used to be the majority and in many places still is - Caucasian, christian, heterosexual, you get it. But that doesn't mean I look down on anyone who is otherwise.

As I read the article in question, something written stuck out to me. "An extreme definition of tolerance is now widespread that implicitly or explicitly endorses the right of every person to choose their own morality, even their own 'truth,' as though morality and truth were matters of personal preference."

This reminded me of a song I know and love by an Irish band known as The Guggenheim Grotto. I remember showing this song to my brother Paul after he got back from his LDS mission, and he pointed out to me how it reminded him of exactly what I am talking about now. The lyric goes like this "But in time a thought comes tugging on the sleeve edge of our minds/Perhaps no perfect way exists at all, just many different kinds/Oh but if it's just a thing of taste then everything unwinds/For without an absolute how can the absolute define/A work of art"

How can we define what is good and true when we keep blurring the lines and making concessions to all and sundry who are demanding things that are not necessarily their right?

What's wrong with having opinions that Differ? That doesn't mean we have to change the world to fit them. It just means we differ in opinion. In the words of my brother Ben (I have no idea where he came up with this), we have the right to be offended. It's okay to think differently, it's good even! So go on and be different, but that doesn't mean you have to try and change my opinion to fit yours inside .It doesn't work that way.

Lyrics - Philosophia by The Guggenheim Grotto

When we're young we set our hearts upon some beautiful idea
Maybe something from a holy book or French philosophia
Upon the thoughts of better men than us we swear by and decree a
Perfect way to end the war of ways, the only way to be a

Work of art Oh to be a work of art

But in time a thought comes tugging on the sleeve edge of our minds
Perhaps no perfect way exists at all, just many different kinds
Oh but if it's just a thing of taste then everything unwinds
For without an absolute how can the absolute define

A work of art Oh to be a work of art

When we're young we set our hearts upon some beautiful idea
Maybe something from a holy book or French philosphia

Another Day

So you know, The title on my posts are either the song I am listening to right now, or a song that I believe fits my thoughts on said post. Also, I will hide little references to songs inside my posts.

And now for something COMPLETELY different...

Ambiguous. It's a great word.

In my opinion everything is a little ambiguous, mostly because everyone has different perceptions. I was talking with one of my roommates earlier about what should she do in a particular 'what if' situation regarding dating. This in itself is a little perilous as I don't really have the best track record with dating (but then, who does?). Anyway, she told me about her what if situation(s) in such a way that her different options sounded absolutely resolute in their interpretation. The only thing I could think during this is "that's not necessarily how it will be interpreted." For example, if a guy asked me out, the only think I know for sure is that he asked me out. I don't know what he's thinking at all. Is he interested? Did he just need a date this weekend? I have no idea. And what of my response? If I say yes, does that say I am interested? If I say no because I'm busy does that denote disinterest? If I say "no, but lets do something another time" does that say I am very interested? Not really! I may be having an off day and be brusque in me response even if I am interested. Or perhaps it's the flips side. And really, at that early stage, I shant have likely formulated my own opinions strongly enough to where one date would mean all that much anyway. You can't deduce other people opinions based on so little information! What's the scientific rule? Something about needing a certain amount of data to make an accurate conclusion . . .

In all this convoluted storytelling (and I do have a bad habit of making the shortest story incredibly drawn-out)  my conviction is that it doesn't matter what words you use exactly when you say something, nor does it matter when you do something that might possibly be interpreted incorrectly. Chances are it will. And really, if you have to weigh all of the possible interpretations before saying something, you'll never say anything, which is even more ambiguous in meaning.

So what if someone takes something little the wrong way? It was bound to happen eventually, and life is full of misinterpretation; that's what makes it so interesting. Can you imagine a world of perfect communication? I think that'd be kind of boring, don't you?


Another Day - Pomplamoose
Lyrics:

Another day shows it's face
I'm half awake half in space
And if you told me I looked beautiful well that would just be in poor taste

Another hour flying by
I've yet to shower yet to dry
And if you told me I was wonderful I probably would wonder why

I am yours, you are mine
I am yours, you are mine, so it's alright

Another plate in the sink
We're half the same half distinct
And if you told me I was perfect I'd assume you had too much to drink

I am yours, you are mine
I am yours, you are mine, so it's alright

Another day fades away
You're half asleep half in space
And if you told me we were dreaming I would pinch you to prove we're awake
Yeah, if you told me we were dreaming I would pinch you to prove we're awake
If you told me we were dreaming I would pinch you to prove we're awake
Yeah, if you told me we were dreaming I would pinch you to prove we're awake

At Last

I finally gave in and started a blog. I've been thinking about it for a while, and after having struggled with finding a suitable enough title, I have done it. Whoopee. Now we'll see if I have anything to say that I feel like I can post freely on the internet. Most of it, I'm sure, will have to do with some of the following: carpentry, theatre, music, love, and observations on behavior. Also, most posts will be very short.

In the end of all of this, just know that I'm just trying to do my best at whatever, and I ain't misbehavin'.