Where one is coming from

I NOTICE with some pinch of joy that a good number of opinion-makers
often preface their views with the expression, “Where I am coming
from.” That seems to be the trend now, and it’s welcome. It shows a
certain gesture of fairness, a growth in maturity.

I suppose it is to provide a sense of transparency to those who hear
or read the comments. It’s a way to establish the opinion-makers’
credentials, their bona fides, their competence as well as their bias,
healthy or otherwise, as they frame and articulate their opinions.

In these times of rapid communication in the world of public opinion
where differences and conflicts flow galore, it is good to see some
efforts to maintain a certain level of civility. In this way, our
public discourse can go on smoothly despite the unavoidable
differences.

We need to reinforce this requirement as much as possible, since many
now are the elements that can plunge us into chaos and even violence
because of our exchanges. Especially in political discussions where
all sorts of unbelievable spins are made, emotions can easily flare
up, and from there the decline to disorder ensues.

Let’s hope that this little practice of transparency, and the many
other similar ones, continue and become a stable feature of our
journalistic culture. Let’s hope that everybody helps in cultivating
this sense of civility through the refining of ethical principles and
seeing to it that they are followed.

In this regard, I recommend the continuing review and assimilation of
ethical principles by the persons concerned as well as the improvement
of the different codes of ethics governing journalists and
opinion-makers by the pertinent bodies.

We have to understand that this is a continuing process that obviously
will have its moments of confusion, conflicts, errors, etc., but let’s
not get stuck by them. We just have to move on, and support our hope
with practical resolutions, both on the personal and collective
levels.

And what is most important to realize in this regard is that we need
to base our pursuit for ethics and morals in this human activity on a
vital and deepening relationship with God. Religion has to enter here.

We just cannot limit ourselves to our own devices. We have to see to
it that these devices are properly inspired by the spirit of God,
which is precisely the spirit of truth and love.

We need to overcome the initial awkwardness, of course. When we say,
“This is where I am coming from,” we have to make sure that what we
mean when we say those words should include first of all and always
our belief and adherence to God.

Otherwise, we would just be presenting ourselves on our own, and yes,
quite naked, without the necessary clothing of God on us. Not even our
best intentions and best efforts can hide the nakedness and can help
the situation.

Without God, we are nothing. It’s as simple as that. Despite our best
intelligence and all that, without God who has given us everything—our
life, our essence, our faculties, our freedom, etc.—we are nothing,
and much less, able to know the truth and practice justice.

And how about those who openly declare themselves as atheists or
non-believers of God? Well, even if they do profess that, they still
have God in them somehow. God is in everything and in everyone for the
sheer reason that he upholds everyone’s and everything’s existence.

That God is ignored or denied by someone does not erase his presence
in him. That person then is still capable of some sense of truth,
justice and love, and therefore worthy also to be heard.

But ideally, what should take place is that everyone who takes his
right to expression seriously should make a deliberate effort to base
his views and ideas on God, the source of all good things—truth,
justice, love, mercy, etc.

Ideally, we should make an effort to deepen our knowledge of God and
his will, knowing also that God actually continues to govern us, and
in fact the whole of creation, through his providence.

We, as image and likeness of God and children of his, need to
cooperate in that providence and take part in the divine adventure
that actually is what our life here on earth is all about. Let’s not
think that we are just on our own here. Our freedom to do anything
does not remove God’s providential designs for us.

So, when we say, “This is where I am coming from,” let’s make sure we
mean God first of all.