If you are a person who believes in conservative values; financial, moral, Biblical, etc., then you probably know how difficult it is to voice the beliefs you cherish without a push back these days. The road for a conservative today is looked upon like a dirt road surrounded by interstates - out of date and only used by those out of date themselves. This road is tough and it is not going to get smooth quickly.
The liberal bias in all branches of the media around the globe aid in the conservative struggle. Love, compassion, intellect, and practicality seem to be captured only by liberals in our daily lives. A simple mention of cutting spending, lowering taxes, abortion being murder, marriage between a man and women, no living together etc., will probably result in strange stares from people you work and attend school with. The conservative values are easy to live out in this environment but are becoming increasingly difficult to share. And we have only just begun!
How do you share the values you hold dear? How do you promote these values to people who's lives are wreaking the consequences of their absence? How do you share the values of your life with people intolerant of those very values?
It is no secret that our national media has long supported values and principles that are defined as liberal. Yet today, our media is now joined by a growing young adult population, rapidly growing ethnic population, and locked in under 60 age population that share in their disdain for conservative values. America has changed much! We conservatives know we have poorly reached out to these other groups. And when a reach did occur, we simply told history and our views. We missed the opportunity to tell the conservative narrative with ties into peoples lives. A truth and consequence if you will without the judgement present. And this is the trap!
For conservative values to spread our approach of sharing must change. Our current population is obtaining information quickly these days and from sources not norm to many aging conservatives. When we jump into conversations with our values we must be sure of the illustrations being used and the statistics being quoted. We must also understand the limits of usefulness to our stories and statistics. People are not impressed. There is a need for connection. People long for a connection to be made before they will embrace or give thought to anything we share. And connecting we have not done. Conservative values are polar opposite what the vast number of people today have grown up with. And as is so often the case, our methods of sharing are outdated and filled with little to draw people to contemplate and study.
Here are some simple things that will assist in sharing these values:
1. Do not judge or be judgmental.
2. Listen much before speaking - you may learn more than you thought possible.
3. Don't tell your story, connect with other peoples stories.
4. Live what you share - people will see the difference and want to know more.
5. Admit failures in the conservative journey. Not all has worked perfectly.
6. Know that many view you and your beliefs as hostile to their freedom of beliefs.
7. Kindness will get you further than preaching and arguing any day of the week.
These are just a few things that will help as you seek to share your values with others.
In our next post we will discuss how to overcome being demonized.
1 comment:
"How do you share the values you hold dear? How do you promote these values to people who's lives are wreaking the consequences of their absence? How do you share the values of your life with people intolerant of those very values?"
Personally, I share my values by living them. If asked, I use my words. I am also aware that my values are not identical to anyone else's values, even those who share my political label. I do not loudly promote "my" values over "their" values, as I find debate to be counter-productive. Also, most people are not intolerant of others' values. The kick-back occurs when someone claiming to be conservative is dogmatic that his way is the "right" way and refuses to listen to any other point of view.
"It is no secret that our national media has long supported values and principles that are defined as liberal. Yet today, our media is now joined by a growing young adult population, rapidly growing ethnic population, and locked in under 60 age population that share in their disdain for conservative values."
Again, in speaking with and listening to people from all walks of life, I don't believe young people (or any particular ethnic population, for that matter - this particular phrase comes across as both ageist and racist) have disdain for conservative values. What earns their disdain is the arrogance with which such ideals are often promoted.
"There is a need for connection. People long for a connection to be made before they will embrace or give thought to anything we share. And connecting we have not done."
Exactly! There is no connection, only dogma.
"Conservative values are polar opposite what the vast number of people today have grown up with."
I disagree; I believe most people, regardless of political label, share the basic core values. We differ in our ideology.
"1. Do not judge or be judgmental.
2. Listen much before speaking - you may learn more than you thought possible.
3. Don't tell your story, connect with other peoples stories.
4. Live what you share - people will see the difference and want to know more.
5. Admit failures in the conservative journey. Not all has worked perfectly.
6. Know that many view you and your beliefs as hostile to their freedom of beliefs.
7. Kindness will get you further than preaching and arguing any day of the week."
Excellent advice; however, I am afraid many will simply use it as a means to an end, checking the boxes until they can spring their opinions couched as gospel truth on those who disagree.
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