It occurs to me that radicals of opposite extremes depend on each other like a symbiotic negative feed-back loop. They push everything that does not conform with their increasingly narrow view to the opposite and equally narrow extreme. And, instead of refuting it (or conceding a grain of truth to be found in it), radicals of the opposite extreme take up the condemnation as a source of pride. If you attempt to point out the flaws and hypocrisies in the position of one side, you are told, "Well the problem is . . ." and then given an example of supposedly worse extremism belonging to the opposite side. If you discussed the same problems with the opposite side, you would end up having the exact same conversation in reflection.
It occurs to me that radicals of opposite extremes depend on each other like a symbiotic negative feed-back loop. They push everything that does not conform with their increasingly narrow view to the opposite and equally narrow extreme. And, instead of refuting it (or conceding a grain of truth to be found in it), radicals of the opposite extreme take up the condemnation as a source of pride. If you attempt to point out the flaws and hypocrisies in the position of one side, you are told, "Well the problem is . . ." and then given an example of supposedly worse extremism belonging to the opposite side. If you discussed the same problems with the opposite side, you would end up having the exact same conversation in reflection.
Very true. Radicalism is more a method than a set of principles. It does live off its enemies.
I really appreciate this post, Pastor Matt!
Thank you, Allison!