We are using two sets of standards when we apply one set of
standards to our allies and a more critical set to our “enemies.” It represents
the rejection of justice - one set of standards for all.
Examples of this abound. Most recently, Rep. Ilhan Omar accused
Jews of having dual loyalties to both Israel and the USA, ignoring the fact
that Muslims have an overriding loyalty to Islam. Similarly, the UN
consistently castigates Israel for being an apartheid state, while ignoring the
fact that in every Muslim nation, non-Muslim have been relegated to a second
class status, at best.
How do we explain such blatant hypocrisy? At its core, it
reflects contempt, as Arthur C. Brooks (NYT 3-2-19) wrote:
·
People often say that our problem in America
today is incivility or intolerance. This is incorrect. Motive attribution
asymmetry leads to something far worse: contempt, which is a noxious brew of
anger and disgust. And not just contempt for other people’s ideas, but also for
other people. In the words of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, contempt is
“the unsullied conviction of the worthlessness of another.”
Contempt is only possible when the hypocrite regards himself
superior to others and refuses to see himself as he really is - just a little
bit different from the one he despises.
At least we can see through this hypocrisy of others, and
how it is shallowly self-serving. Meanwhile, the divisions are destroying this
country in this process. Brooks cited a survey confirming this fact:
·
In an important study of political attitudes,
the nonprofit More in Common found in 2018 that 93 percent of Americans say
they are tired of how divided we have become as a country. Large majorities say
privately that they believe in the importance of compromise, reject the absolutism
of the extreme wings of both parties and are not motivated by partisan loyalty.
As long as these divisions, fueled by their
double-standards, remain intact, this nation will remain ungovernable and vulnerable
to its mounting problems.
What is required? Self-examination and humility! Before we
point the accusing finger at others, we must first allow it to accuse us. Jesus
taught that judging others is hypocritical unless we first judge ourselves:
·
“Why do you see the speck that is in your
brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can
you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is
the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye,
and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matthew
7:3-5)
Only those who see can perform corrective surgery.
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