JMS Blog

I would like to pose the question, nurture or nature? Being in Providence, we are taught that we can change and become a better person, so I believed that nurture overpowers nature. To believe that we can change no matter where we started out from is a great belief. However, I'm led to believe that nature is not completely out of the picture. I see so many different types of people and seeing, hearing what they choose to see or hear makes me wonder if in fact, it is their innate character that determines how they choose to be nurtured.

For example, two children of the same family can become good or bad even if they were exposed to the same environment, teachings, and parents. With a great leader, a person can choose to see the same actions as negative or positive. And a person can choose to see only the mistakes and learn them or learn to hate them. In the same way, a person can choose to see only their best traits and learn them or learn to love them.

Weeds, I conclude, choose to see the bad no matter what the cause. Anyone, MS or not, if they persecute or target and attack someone, they are not any better. Life is short and this is a lifelong project to make ourselves perfect (Matthew 5:48), so why should we see and hear the bad. There's not even enough time to take in all the good in this world.

Ok, back to our topic. So, is it our innate character that determines how we are nurtured in the first place? Maybe. But I do hold onto the thought that with tremendous amount of effort and prayer, and definitely God's miraculous hands, we can change our innate character. After all, our innate character is ultimately the image of God as we were created in His image.

We don't realize how much we base people and events on stereotypes.
Look at the stereotype of Christianity for example. An agnostic would typically stereotype Christians as people who should "turn the other cheek," "walk the extra mile," and "forgive all who do wrong." In fact, any Christian who doesn't practice this is considered to be a hypocrite.

Yes, Jesus Christ did teach these things but we need to also keep in mind that Christians are human just like any other. That means, Christians also have feelings. If we get slapped, everything inside of us want to slap back and say, "what the ----!" If we do someone a favor, we would like a simple thank you, instead of having to walk the extra mile and be expected to do that. If we are wronged, we want to not necessarily wrong them back but at least not have to smile at them and say, "that's okay, please walk over us." But I see many Christians doing their best. And that's all we can ask for. At least they are trying.

Yes, there are Christians like the Virginia Tech Massacre shooter, Jeffrey Dahmer, and so many others who kill in the name of Christ. That is a shame. They are some of the many that can give Christianity a bad name. But then again, there are so many Americans who do what they do in the name of being a U.S. citizen and give America a bad name. Same goes for women or men or the college they graduated from, their fraternity or sorority group, state or city, and the list goes on.

But the common phrases that Christians hear are, "Aren't you supposed to be a Christian? Shouldn't you be practicing what you preach?" You know, what I would like to say is, "Aren't you supposed to be a parent? Aren't you supposed to be a learned citizen? Aren't you supposed to be an adult? Shouldn't YOU be practicing what YOU preach?" As a parent, or an educated citizen, or an adult, we don't always conduct ourselves as one would expect. So why expect Christians to be some perfect emotionless robots?

We judge everything based on the stereotypes we set for others. And when they behave differently from our expectations, we either think, "Yep, just as I thought," or "That's not how they should be acting," or "Hey, that's pretty impressive." On the extreme, it clouds our view of others and hinders what could possibly be a wonderful friendship.

In the same way, we have stereotypes of leaders, particularly religious leaders. We are quick to say, "Hey, they're not supposed to do this or that!" In this society, I can only wonder, who can do anything right? We don't give them a chance to prove otherwise. If we are placed among a group of people who are only pointing fingers, can you do anything right? Yet, if we are placed among a group of people who are constantly encouraging and seeing the positive, even if you were not perfect, you have a chance to become a better person.

Today, talk shows, comedians, and even the news, mock the celebrities, leaders, and public figures. I just wish they will lay off. It gets tiring. Can't we just be productive? Instead of talking about all the wrongs, can't we just talk about possible solutions and focus on bettering our own lives and possibly the world?

I'm a Christian, I am also a Providence member who is taught probably a little more sternly about how we should practice all that Jesus taught us. I may not appear to be like your typical Christian but I choose to change from within. That means that it will take time to show on the outside because you know what, I'm still working on the inside. If Jesus was great because he forgave the people even if they wanted to crucify him, then it will take me decades to even be half as good as he ever was. There's your food for thought.