Is It Time for a Return to Common Sense?

Last updated on: April 5, 2019 at 8:33 am by Roger E. Olson

Is It Time for a Return to Common Sense? 2019-04-05T08:33:43-05:00 Roger E. Olson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Scholars of postmodernism tell me there is now no such thing as common sense. Perhaps they are right. I don’t see a lot of it. And I don’t expect “my common sense” to be shared by all. I’m elderly now and some of my common sense is probably outdated. Nevertheless, I believe there are some things that all mature, thinking individuals should know intuitively—even in this confused and confusing culture that is America today.

Here are some things I think common sense should tell us. At least my common sense tells me these things. I don’t think they need to be defended with any “high falutin,” ivory tower, elitist philosophy. These are things I believe just are the case and ought to be recognized as such by everyone.

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

First, there is a difference between making someone feel “uncomfortable” and sexually assaulting them or even harassing them. When you are made to feel uncomfortable by someone’s non-violent, non-sexual touch, tell them so and expect them to back off and respect the boundary you have set. Don’t expect everyone to understand boundaries in the same way. And physical and verbal boundaries constantly shift—depending on generation and even geography.

Second, there is a natural human tendency to “pile on” a person perceived as strange, different, insensitive, awkward. Such people may not be malevolent in any way, and they should not necessarily be subjected to the same criticism as others who are malevolent. Teaching them how to be sensitive and, for example, avoid getting in others’ private spaces is the right way to treat them. But to accuse a person of “sexism” and “misogyny” only for non-violent, non-sexual boundary ignorance is going too far. It appears like “piling on”—to use an old phrase from the playground.

Third, a very valid and important movement for liberation from oppression can be undermined by silly accusations, by stretching terms like “violent,” “racist,” “sexist,” “misogynist,” “toxic masculinity,” etc., too far and too thin. Eventually people begin not to take the labels as seriously as they should.

Fourth, everyone who makes another person uncomfortable, especially with unwelcome touching or belittling or offensive language, must apologize and change their ways—after the affront is explained to them. It should not be assumed that everyone always already knows what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate. Of course that does not apply to overt acts or words of aggression or discrimination. But what constitutes a “micro-aggression” is still being worked out and many people still are learning. Give them room to learn. Don’t rush to punish.

Fifth, movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo are absolutely crucial to our society’s move towards fairness, peace, justice and equality. But they should not be confused and made confusing by inclusion of so many other issues that they lose their focus. Some (not all) proponents of both movements are making use of their platforms to promote other agendas. That’s not helpful to these extremely important, even necessary, movements for justice.

So, now, because I may have confused some readers who wonder if I’m beating around a bush and not being clear myself, I will offer a case study of what I’m talking about. So far I have not heard or read any accusation against former Vice President Joe Biden that makes me think he is unqualified to run for president or serve in that highest office of our land. I do think he has boundary issues and needs someone to come alongside of him and teach him about contemporary boundaries when it comes to touching women even in a non-sexual way. He is awkward and insensitive. He needs help in that area. But I don’t think he is a sexist or misogynist just because of that. And I think using such loaded terms about the reported incidents robs them of their punch. They should be reserved for real sexists and misogynists of which there are plenty.

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment only to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).

Uncategorized

Previous Post

April 2, 2019

Is Everyone a Christian Who Claims to Be a Christian?

Next Post

April 8, 2019 Is Absolute Refusal to Contemplate the Possible Existence of God Scientific?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Against Liberal Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In Revelation, what is the correct sequence of events in the End Times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Dragon cast to earth, beast rises from sea, false prophet rises from earth, mark of the beast given False prophet rises, dragon cast to earth, beast rises from sea, mark of the beast given Mark of the beast given, dragon cast to earth, beast rises, false prophet rises Beast rises from sea, dragon cast to earth, mark of the beast given, false prophet rises