Resist the easy path of group thought.
Hello Friends and Members,
Pastor James here, coming to you again from our own little slice of paradise, Palm Bay, Florida! I trust and pray you’re having an amazing day.
Group thinking feels so good, right? It feels so comforting to belong and have other people like us and think we’re smart and clever. And in this day and age of instant communication through social media, group thought has never been more irresistible. Someone posts a snarky comment and soon the likes are flooding in, along with more commentary. “You tell ‘em!” “Zing – nailed it!” “Roasted!” as everyone in their own little bubble of like-minded people collectively pat each other on the back. Few bother to think through the latest expression of opinion. “Why, if my friends think like this, then so do I!” One of the most outrageous examples of group think took place in 1978. I alluded to it in the message title when I said, “The Kool-Aid is free.” You may have heard the term “drinking the Kool-Aid, but never knew where it came from. Long story short, there was a religious cult leader named Jim Jones who brought mass delusion to his followers. He moved them from America to Jonestown, Guyana and was able to further isolate them in a jungle compound. In November 1978, he convinced them to all commit suicide by drinking a liquid concoction. Foolish groupthink was literally the death of them all. Ever since that time, “drinking the Kool-Aid” is slang for buying into a mass delusion through mindless groupthink. Don’t think you would ever fall for something like this? Well, I hope not, but American society as a whole is, and it will be suicide for us if we do not stop it soon. James B. Meigs writes in City Journal that Michael Shermer used to be a writer for Scientific American magazine. By its very nature, science seeks to question everything to gain deeper truths. But Mr. Shermer told Mr. Meigs that he was eventually pushed out of Scientific American because he was no longer allowed to question topics concerning race, gender, or climate. The group-thought was gospel, and it was not allowed to be questioned. No exceptions. How incredibly sad to see the pursuit of higher knowledge shut down cold, especially on such important topics. How incredibly silly and foolish of the editors to think they themselves now have achieved the pinnacle of knowledge! They are no better than the elites of 1633 who put Galileo under house arrest for the remainder of his life for holding an opinion contrary to the groupthink of the day and declare the earth revolves around the sun!
Friends, it is unbelievable how the pendulum for and against independent thought has swung out and back again in just my lifetime. When I was a kid in elementary school, we learned our multiplication tables – and much else – by the rote method. “6 x 6 is 36”. “How, why?” “Because we say so, that’s why!” Then along came Common Core. This learning method was supposed to teach you how and why 6 x 6 = 36. And while I have my serious issues with Common Core, I do welcome any education that teaches critical thinking. Compare this to the last several years where the elites among us tell us it’s bad to question anything. If one questioned whether the COVID vaccine was effective, you were labeled a vaccine denier. If you wondered aloud why five states stopped counting their early and/or absentee ballots at the same time during the 2020 presidential election night, you were an election denier. If you mused on social media about the wisdom of allowing children to receive gender destroying medication or surgery, you were labeled a hater and a transphobe. As comedian Bill Maher stated, “I always wanted to be a pirate growing up. But I’m so glad my parents didn’t schedule me for eye removal and peg-leg surgery! It’s not wise to let 7-year-olds make life-altering decisions!”
What does the Bible say about independent thinking? It is not simply tolerated, it is recommended and celebrated. Acts Chapter 17 tells us that apostle Paul was preaching to new believers in the city of Berea. They respectfully listened to Paul, but then they went home and researched the Bible to see if what Paul was teaching was true. He wasn’t offended, he was impressed! Likewise, Amish Mennonites are taught to think and get second opinions on most life issues; from deciding on a surgical procedure to what brand of motor oil to use. And then from there we form our own opinions. In the coming weeks you will be taught to politely question everyone – your doctor, mechanic, tire salesperson, you name it, and why! You will become confident and bold! You will not stress over whether you did the right thing or not, or what others think of you.
Friend, if you never think through things independently, you will never establish your own convictions. And if you don’t have convictions, you’re going to be swayed by all kinds of falsehoods throughout life. Not only that but standing on conviction brings calmness and peace. Let’s say you have a conviction to call out corruption wherever you see it. This could cost you a promotion or even your job! It’ll be scary, but when it’s over, you will have a huge new boost of confidence. You’ll have the satisfaction of never needing to salvage your reputation, because now you just won’t care. The haters may say “That whistleblower is just trying to make a name for himself, what a blowhard!” You’ll be able to shrug it off because you know you stood on your convictions and for nothing else.
Dear Ones, search your own heart today. Are you blindly following a crowd, hoping to be liked? I guarantee you’ll experience stress, feelings of inferiority and even despair and depression at times. Or, are you forming your own convictions after thinking independently? Try it. You will experience more energy, satisfaction, peace, and rest in your spirit than you ever thought possible. Be bold today! Go forth this week and seek the truth.