“First and foremost I have to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Tim Tebow declared, following his dramatic overtime victory this past Sunday. While not uncommon for professional athletes to profess their faith in a moment of triumph, Tebow's exceedingly high profile has provoked a national debate on the appropriateness of unsolicited religious proselytizing.
The debate more specifically asks, when is the act of sharing one's faith an act of altruism, and if continued, when is that benevolent act so obtrusive, so as to become a breach of social etiquette? Obviously in our society everyone has the right to express themselves openly within the marketplace of ideas. However, expressing one's faith liberally, as does Tebow, does not always produce the desired result. It belies logic that Tebow would want to offend those whom he'd actually wish to convert to his manner of spiritual belief. Forcing one's opinions on others often has the opposite effect.
Alternatively, why are the irreligious so bitterly opposed to those who practice and share their religious faith publicly? How should we navigate this growing social strife between the religious and the irreligious among us? While some advise tolerance as the best course of conduct, a step further is probably a better course. The step further being appreciation.
Diversity is a wellspring of contentment if allowed to be so. The human experience is substantially synergistic and thus life would become instantly monotonous if we all thought and acted identically. Consequently, one must choose whether to appreciate the diversities between us, or conversely, to resent them. The better of the two is obvious.
The merit of an opposing viewpoint is inherent in the undeniable value of each unique person proposing it. The answer is to learn how to disagree without being disagreeable and to appreciate other's viewpoints instead of begrudgingly tolerating them. One always has the right to walk away, change the channel or change the subject. It needn't provoke ire. Proselytizing is simply someone sharing their view on life. One shouldn't be offended or embittered by it, as such a reaction ignores the interconnectedness between us and the limitless value of diversity.
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