My World View
Every one of us looks at life through lenses that are the result of all kinds of experiences, events and relationships. These lenses may help us see things as they really are or they may give us a distorted perspective on life.
When it comes to seeing life generally, no one has 20/20 vision. Some see more clearly than others. However, because our experiences in life are defective to some degree or other, each of us has less than perfect lenses and, therefore, less than perfect 'eyesight'. The Apostle Paul put it this way:
Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. (1 Cor 13:12 NLT)
These 'lenses' constitute or shape our world view. Now a world view is simply our understanding or perception of reality. i.e. how we see the world in which we live. What is real and what is not. What is true and what is not. What is right and what is not. What is just and what is not. And so the list goes on.
An example: If I accept the reality of the supernatural as part of my world view, then I will allow the possibility of angels, demons, miracles etc. However, the person who rejects the whole idea ofthe supernatural will not make any allowance for such possibilities. Everything will have a natural/rational explanation.
One doesn't have to think about this for very long before the realization dawns that how I see the world determines everything about who I am, what I believe and how I act. A case can readily be made, then, for saying that there is nothing - absolutely nothing - more important than my world view.
My world view and your world view determines the answer to this vital question, "Who or what is the basis and authority for what I believe and how I behave?" Not until we answer that question can we begin to understand and explain our value system which is determined by our world view and which, in turn, controls our choices.
Recently I wrote an article on same sex marriage and, as I did so, I realized (again) that what I was writing reflected my world view. What we think about marriage generally (or any subject you care to nominate) is determined by the values we hold which, in turn, are shaped by our world view. I am convinced that there would be a lot more light and understanding generated in any debate if we would try to understand each other's world view.
For example, I am quite open about the fact that my world view has been (and continues to be) shaped by the teachings, example and presence of Jesus Christ in my life over some 55 years. These realities have become the authority for what I believe and how I behave.So when a particular issue requires my consideration and response, it is to these realities that I turn. Now that does not mean that everyone has to believe what I believe on this or any other subject. I believe in the liberty of conscience for all to believe what they choose.
But what am I to do when I encounter someone whose world view is different from mine? This question takes on added significance if I consider that what they believe is not only incorrect but dangerous - even destructive? It seems that I have a number of options to consider:
1. PROHIBITION.
I can deny the other person the right to believe as they do and use law or force to ensure they change their mind or, at least, minimize their influence on other people. Of course, history is filled with examples of such prohibitions where kings and countries have outlawed particular world views that have been contrary to what they considered to be the good of the country or, more likely, the good of the personal agendas of those rulers!
This kind of prohibition has been especially evident in the history of religion across the years. A law is enacted that says you will not believe or behave in such-and-such a manner. The purpose is to quarantine if not eradicate the 'rogue' world view.
2. PERSECUTION.
If the person or group who hold another world view refuse to abide by the prohibition that rejects their world view, then further action needs to be taken. This action ranges from some very subtle forms of excommunication of the person who holds another point of view to the other extreme - the not-so-subtle execution of that person!!
As noted above, religious persecution has been with us since the beginning and continues unabated today, sometimes reaching horrific levels of intensity. Countless people have been mistreated and put to death by religious institutions over the years because they embraced a world view that was at odds with that of their persecutors.
3. PERSUASION.
So far as I am concerned, neither prohibition or persecution are acceptable or effective responses.I can respect the other person's world view and their right to hold that view and thus respect what I hope would be their integrity in holding to their world view. I would hope that they would afford me the same courtesy. However, I do not have to accept their behaviour, especially if that behaviour damages or destroys others.
If I choose not to prohibit what they believe or persecute them for continuing to maintain their world view, I do not, therefore, abandon or forgo the option of seeking to persuade them to believe and behave otherwise. If I am convinced that my world view is a viable and better alternative than what they currently embrace, I would try to respectfully explain what I believe and invite them to give due consideration to that position. I imagine they, too, would try to persuade me to their way of thinking.
At a time in our world's history when radicalism is seeking to shape what we believe and how we act (i.e. our world view), it is vital that we understand how our world view impacts our communication with others. If we have some awareness of the power of our world view as we interact with those who hold a different position, chances are communication will be much more effective and productive.
