Our nature requires us to resolve our conflicting ideas in
order to achieve mental rest. However, our minds have increasingly shut down in
favor of immediate gratification – “finding yourself,” what makes us feel good:
·
Three-quarters of millennials strongly or
somewhat agree with the statement, “Whatever is right for your life or works
best for you is the only truth you can know,” whereas only 39% of those born
prior to 1945 strongly or somewhat agreed. David Kinnaman, president of the
Barna Group, explains that the research shows, “The highest good, according to
our society, is ‘finding yourself’ and then living by ‘what’s right for you.’”
(“Without God Science, Belief, Morality, and The Meaning of Life,” Zachary
Broom)
Living for “what’s right for you,” is not right and will not
work for you. For one thing, “what’s right for you” changes from one moment to
the next. When we are desperately hungry, “what’s right” might dictate that we
steal to satisfy our hunger or addiction.
We might want to be in control of our own destiny by merely
choosing what feels right. However, we know that mugging, even to satisfy our
addiction, is wrong. Consequently, we are divided within ourselves, living an
uncomfortable schizoid existence, as we try to believe two faiths which are in
conflict.
Not only did I experience this internal struggle, I also saw
it clearly portrayed in the lives of others. I used to set up an easel in
Washington Square Park to challenge the beliefs of NYU students. I would ask
them, “Is it absolutely wrong to torture babies?”
The question troubled them as they struggled for a coherent
answer. On the one hand, their heart told them that it was absolutely wrong.
However, their minds told them, “It’s a matter of what feels right for you,
since there is no objective moral truths.”
They were perplexed but found no way to resolve their two
conflicting voices. One of their voices had to be wrong, but they couldn’t
determine which one.
I suggested that they might need a paradigm shift, but I
cannot remember a single person who ever agreed they would need to re-examine
their thinking. However, if they failed to do so, they were condemning
themselves to a constant state of conflict.
What then? Without finding the cognitive peace, which they
sought, they stopped asking questions and seeking answers. Instead, they would
surround themselves with pleasures and distractions.
Several years ago, I stopped engaging college students at
the Park and elsewhere. Why? They no longer would stop by my provocative easel
to talk.
Blessed is the
one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her
is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more
precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is
in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Proverbs 3:13–16)
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