Politics have Changed

In my scripture reading this morning, I came across this:

"...they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure." (Alma 4:8)

I seem to remember it used to be that people allowed others to have differing opinions. We might argue and disagree and think ourselves superior and correct, but we allowed others the right to have their own opinion. It was understood that the freedom to believe whatever you believed was a privilege extended to all.

It seems more and more lately that what you see (at least as shown on the news) is people being angry that others have differing opinions. They are offended when someone doesn't agree with them. They hate people who see things from a different point of view. And they are dismissive of anything that doesn't corroborate their own view.

In Alma, this led to war and strife and death for many people. History can -- and often does -- repeat itself. I hope we come to our senses before that happens again. That we'll remember it's okay for people to be different from us, to have their own views and values. That compassion and tolerance aren't just pretty slogans on a mug.

Here in Canada, we have what's called the Opposition -- the party that is not in office but is there to provide balance and a differing view, to keep the one in office in reasonable check. Their official role and whole purpose is to be oppositional, to make the leading party remember they need to act in the best interest of all citizens, not just their own supporters. So the ones in power don't ever swing too far to one extreme or another, because the Opposition is there to pull them back and remind them that there are differing views and needs. I think it's a pretty good system -- not flawless, but the intent is right. It's good for all of us to remember to allow everyone to have a voice, not just those that agree with us.