Of Assumptions, Prejudices and Dialogues

All of us are not without prejudices.

Total objectivity is impossible unless we live in a vacuum. Who we are is shaped by our beliefs and values. What we believe and value is in turn influenced by our assumptions.

There is no such thing as independent thoughts because thinking in itself always has to start with a few assumptions.

And where do we get our assumptions? We get that from what we are told by family, society, culture and experiences. The assumptions we have form the premise of our evaluation of people, events and things.

Therefore, none of us are neutral and without prejudices.

So let us face it – Christians are biased. We are skewed toward a certain thought because we hold on to a valued assumption that the Bible is the Word of God.

Isn’t that subjective? Absolutely. It is as subjective as the atheist who believes in evolution and holds Darwinism as the platform in discussing all things.

Are we not prejudiced then? Absolutely. It is as prejudiced as the open-minded who believes that he is only one without prejudice.

There is no real dialogue unless two individuals communicate on a set of similar assumptions.

God claims that He is the Author of the Book of Life. Am I on the same page, believing that I “do not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God”? (Matt 4:4)

Could it be that I do not hear God because we are not talking on the same footings?