There is a teaching in the knowledge of Word (Christ or truth depending on our beliefs) that says—serve other people’s conscience not your own.
For instance, if I offend you — intentionally or unintentionally — it is my duty to restore our relationship based on what has offended your conscience, regardless of what my conscience may say is my right to offend.
I know that sounds bizarre in this political climate, but it would go a long way if we could serve each other’s conscience while still disagreeing. For it works from anticipating what might offend others, and that takes getting to know them the right way so differing issues can be handled respectfully.
Now when only one side serves the other’s conscience, it takes the civil ground and should work sensitively to not worsen the other’s lack of civility. Finding where their conscience is responsive is your foothold into making them more important, loving them as enemies of conscience (suneidesis).1 It takes endurance to be insulted and refrain from insulting back, but that is a light burden for unconditional love, agapé. It helps to understand that the other side has been spiritually blinded by a conscience always for itself. Endurance is the name of the game. Agapé does not quit.
Bullets is the name of the other game. Its mindset is — nice words are for losers. If all else fails, use bullets. With the endurance of agapé, we have the greatest chance of restoring the suneidesis2 between us, so no one has to feel like they need to resort to bullets.
So whose side is your conscience on? If it is on the opposing side, we have a chance to bring peace. If it is on your side, there is no chance of peace. The discussion continues in the comments below.
Suggested reading:
The Spiritual Story of Democracy
The Eyes of Democracy (Introduction and Index of Articles)
Suneidesis, pronounced soo-NAY-day-sis, is a Greek word that joins our natural awareness with our sense of conscience. Click on the link for a detailed explanation. It is central to this teaching. Using this foreign word regularly in discussions helps us get accustomed to experiencing something new and positive working in our awareness itself. When the word conscience is used, it will refer to the aspect of suneidesis that involves right and wrong, but this aspect cannot be separated from our co-conscientious awareness of all things.
If I understand that my awareness of something as simple as a cup includes co-conscientiousness, I do not allow myself to get blinded by the cup alone but know it as part of all creation at the hands of the Creator or the universe, depending on one’s beliefs. Spiritual maturity does this naturally.
The repetition of suneidesis is meant to challenge you to consider this dimension in your awareness. Apologies, but it will only be a necessary annoyance until it becomes natural.
We were taught this as children (80s and before?), not in a way to pity or feel sorry for another's feelings, but awareness for how we affect others. It's how I try to help my children sort themselves out too - because rifts happen among family, much less with different-looking strangers. Thanks for a powerful message, George.
I must say, your writing has left a strong impression on me. I'd like to explore the concept of unintentional offense and how it affects others. With great writing power comes great responsibility, doesn't it? As someone who's studied boundaries, I'm eager to learn about your strategies.