DOUBLE-STANDARDS

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.