According to Webster’s dictionary, the word sensitive can be defined in part as, “having or showing keen sensibilities; easily offended, disturbed, shocked, irritated, etc. as by the actions of others, high-strung, tense, and touchy.”
When I was growing up in Brooklyn, New York, my favorite major league baseball team was the Brooklyn Dodgers. My boyhood friends also liked the New York Yankees or the Giants. Friendly squabbling about our favorite teams was commonplace. None of us were easily offended because of our team choices.
Maybe it’s just me! However, it seems that political sensitivity has increased over the years. People seem to be afraid to discuss for whom they voted. We don’t want to discuss political differences. We whisper to each other, and we look over our shoulders, watching and not wanting to stir sensitivities or to offend anyone. Such type things are not normal for Americans. We were always open to discussion. What has happened, and why the sensitivity?
We have heard for years, “Don’t discuss politics and religion.” Most of us ignored this axiom. We would come back with another truism, “It’s a free country, isn’t it?” With that comeback, we all smiled and joked with each other. Many times, there were strong disagreements concerning these matters, and yet, we would depart, still friends.
In matters of religion, sensitivity is always an issue, with strong feelings concerning such. Family ties, the religion of parents and the like have always been a problem. Our conversations must be civil and at all times using the Bible as our standard. Religious differences, divisions coupled with partisan spirit, are always present, and they even existed in the days of the apostles of Jesus Christ. Although sensitivity is an issue when we discuss religion, sensitivities should take a backseat. The Word of God is our standard.
In the body of Christ, contentions and divisions are condemned. Why should one be sensitive when this issue is discussed?
Now, I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:10-13)
The need to debate and to study is crucial. Why should one be easily offended when we search for the truth? “Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself…” (Proverbs 25:9). “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things” (Proverbs 15:28). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Even though politics and religion are sensitive subjects, they must and can be discussed in a civil manner. When we are afraid to discuss issues for fear of others, our freedom of speech is threatened. May we covet and protect our liberties and not allow fears to take hold of us.
