We Should Be Willing To Put Our Cards On The Table

Everybody has a point of view, a way of thinking, a way of understanding reality. This is sometimes called a worldview. Because we all have a worldview—even if we don’t know the term or have never taken the time to specifically think about the concept—we will tend to have biases and, often, even an agenda of some sort when it comes to many subjects.

(Be extremely careful about the person who vehemently claims—perhaps while jumping up and down—that he is a completely neutral purveyor of nothing but objective facts.)

The fact that everyone has a worldview does not bother me. I understand this is how it will be with us humans. For example, I will readily admit I have an agenda. I’m a Christian minister. I believe Christianity is true. I would like for people to embrace Jesus. I believe this will be what is best for them.

What does bother me is when certain people or institutions pretend they are above the fray, so to speak. In other words, they want to give the impression they are presenting objective, unbiased facts and simple logical conclusions when in reality they are very intentionally, though surreptitiously, promoting a particular agenda.

This is a form of dishonesty and deception which happens in the media and, sadly, even in the scientific world more than some people may realize. For example, the practice of disguising an agenda as a scientifically settled issue can be a way of attempting to force a conclusion on a matter without even allowing legitimate discussion. It is an extremely unscrupulous and cynical tactic.

Again, the fact that human beings within the media, the scientific world, or anywhere else, for that matter, have a worldview and, therefore, an agenda is not what bothers me. I get it. I’m old enough to recognize this reality about people. What bothers me is when they very intentionally pretend to have no bias or agenda.

We should be willing to put our cards on the table.

Sgt. Joe Friday used to say, “just the facts, ma’am” when he was talking with a witness. But I notice Joe always had a little bit of a wry grin when he said it. Joe knew people and, therefore, he knew it was not likely he was going to hear “just” facts.