I am a biased person.

To say that out loud or to state that phrase on national television would immediately label me as intolerant and whatever type of “phobic” anyone could call me.

Webster has defined “bias” as a strong tendency toward an interest. It can be also a simple, consistent leaning toward something. 

Psychology Today magazine defines it as a tendency.

You have biases as well.

Mine are many.
I think vanilla ice cream is the best flavor of any.
I believe Italian food is the best.
Since I was about 12 years old and began playing basketball, I have loved and followed and pulled for The Los Angeles Lakers.
If you, in any way understand that, then you understand why I chose not to wear kelly green. I will not drink from a cup that is kelly green in color.

To me, Gods favorite color is sky blue.
French Toast is the best breakfast food, especially from DEMETRIS. However, I eat it not everyday because I do not desire to look like Jabba the Hut.

My favorite book in Gods Word is The Gospel of John.
I prefer the beach to any other form of vacation.
The Constitution is not an evolving, changing document.
We do not change the holiday celebrated on July 4 because it might be too hot.
Not to equate the two, but the Words inspired by God in His Document to us are good forever and, in fact, there is a warning not to change them or add to / subtract from them.
The Constitution was written by inspired men and it is to be interpreted from what THEY said… not to make up what their hidden meaning was or what modernity feels they meant to say, or what it should say today.

I prefer sunshine to rain.

Up until I met and then married a brown-haired Scottish girl … I thought dark-haired, dark eyed women were my preference.
No longer.
She surpasses every dark-haired female I have ever known.

A bias is a tendency….a preference.

Recent definitions subject to “political correctness”  have added that bias is a negative and that it is a judgement of intolerance toward another way of thinking. 

Sensitivity overload.

We were not created to all wear grey clothes and walk in lock step.

May God help us.

When we are born we are gifted with taste buds in particular areas of the tongue. The connection between those buds and our unique gift of a brain gives rise to what we foods and flavors we favor.

There are “filters” in our brain and talents and gifts placed within us at Conception which lead us to the biases we have. 

Some we grow into.

Some we have from “the jump”.

I hate no one.
I judge no one because they prefer chocolate over vanilla.
I like chocolate… but choose it seldom.
Why not eat the vanilla?

I judge no one because of my individual bias.

I may not agree.

But I will not discount that person or judge that person or be intolerant of that person choosing chocolate, or that they like the Celtics.

 

At the end of every conversation with Muslim, Hindu or Jewish cab drivers, I say the same thing.

I say that my prayer will be that both us will find Real Truth.

Some people demonize those unlike themselves or because the other person prefers blue and orange more than crimson.

That’s small mindedness.
That’s closed mindedness.

One need not judge others because of their preferences.

Because I enjoy the company of one person means not that I am judging or that I dislike, hate or am intolerant of another.

I love the Italian language.
Try to learn it.
Love to hear it spoken.

But I cannot be AS comfortable with the person who speaks only Italian as I can be with someone who speaks English with a tint of a Southern accent.
Because I cannot understand them

I do not hate Italy.
My favorite movie is MOONSTRUCK.
I would go visit Rome, Lake Cuomo or the Amalfi Coast tomorrow.

However, I prefer here.
I understand the language.

Be proud of the biases you possess.
Understand, they are preferences.

Never condemn one because they disagree with or condemn you. Or because they prefer something different than you.
It’s human nature to do that….yet, its in opposition to those Words given us by The Bibles Author.

Respect the biases of others.

Those are not judgements either.
As you consider them, one of their preferences might become one of yours.

Understand though that purple and gold are actually the colors in my family crest. For those without a positive sports bias…those are also the unifirm colors of my favorite team.

So…..

 

Terry Bethea
October 2017

 

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