Getting Tougher Minded
 

by Gardner S. Hall

The June issue of The Rotarian has an excellent article on the subject: "Let's Get Tougher Minded." Under the title there is a cartoon that appears to picture a book burning. We read of an event like that in the Bible (Acts. 19: 18, 19). I wish I had space to reproduce most of this article. While it is not applied particularly to religious subjects, and the author might not approve of such an application, it really is most important when applied in this realm.

The article has to do with the weak cowardly spirit that assents to wrong because it is to spineless to speak up for the right.

He does not advocate blunt, harsh answers when error is taught, but does encourage asking questions and bringing out the wrong and exposing it. Let me quote a little.

"These incidents are examples of a malady I call softening of the mind. It is not a new sickness — but it is spreading. It arises from the failure to ask questions of a subject or speaker. Montigne derided those persons who have not the courage to correct, because they have not the courage to suffer correction, and always speak with dissimulation in the presence of another.' Emerson's biographer said that as a young man the sage of Concord 'retreated before every confident person.., he listened like a willow; he took the contagion of everyone's views and utterly lost his own.'

"The trouble seems to be that when a persuasive person is talking we tend to surrender our judgment to the force of his words. Our opinion then becomes that of the last positive fellow with whom we have talked . . ."

"A tough controversialist listens with more alertness than the rest of us. He misses nothing of what the Other person is saying, but at the same time he is passing judgment, questioning conclusions as well as premises, and formulating what he is to say in reply. The tough mind grapples with basic ideas. He doesn't surrender his judgment.

"Nor is he troubled by a desire to conform. That's another tenderizer of minds. Many men fear being in a minority quite as much as being caught In a public place dressed only in a breech clout. They speak of the ignominy of 'losing my vote’ to characterize a failure to be on the winning side of a political issue.

"Several influences today tend to exaggerate this condition. One is the new Pollyanna inspirational literature: honey catches more flies than vinegar, therefore use honey even on your leafy green salad. 'Thou shalt always be constructive and positive, never destructive and negative' is the First Commandment of this faith. That's equivalent to saying that if you're starting to do a slum-clearance job, you simply begin construction and forget about tearing down the old rat nests.

"Thus, a strategy that is good under some circumstances can evolve into a fetish for every occasion. The new way offers an easy setup for the clever propagandist . . .

"When a salesman 'throws his pitch,' demand documented proof of his claim, whether it be for a patent medicine or a new social system. (Or a church, institution or religious doctrine. And, of course, in religion the document must be the New Testament—G. S. H.) When he's asking you to put your money (or your soul—G. S. H.) into a new proposition, you are entitled to say to Him: 'I'm sure you're an honest man. But you'll admit you are an interested party. Give me 'evidence other than your unsupported statement about this deal.' If he supplies a reference, (Scripture reference in religion — G. S. H.) confirm it. As a consistent practice, that attitude would avoid many an unwise purchase. But it requires a bit of iron in the personality, and the same practice a prudent man follows in buying a commodity should be used in buying an idea.

"The habit of asking questions is the major resource of the tough mind. Questions can be used for a great variety of purposes. You can ask them to elicit information, to express skepticism, to confirm a suspicion, to confuse an opponent, to gain time, to create a diversion. A talker who was attacking a Congressional investigation of subversive activities said that 'many a good man's reputation has been smirched by the investigators.'

"Who, for instance?" he was asked. After fumbling a bit he cited two names. That gave the other man the opening he wanted, because he could show that one of the names had in no sense been 'smirched,' and that the other had later been proved to be a Communist conspirator."

Now my friends and brethren, this is fine counsel. In substance it says, Don't accept some view because it comes from a big preacher, or from the majority of preachers. Test it. It is saying, Search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11). This is the application of the principles announced as they pertain to religion. I think I know some subjects most of you would change on overnight if the majority of the preachers should change. Beware of putting your faith in preachers! Let them teach you, but demand the proof and check it. Practice this with all preachers and teachers—those in the church of Christ as well as in denominations. If all should begin this "tougher minded" practice it would revolutionize religion!

Preceptor – July 1954

 

 

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