The times demand a voice of reason

I aspire to be that, to be a voice of reason one day.

Drew Barrymore.

There are many voices in the world today. Arrogance, narcissism, selfishness, audacity and chutzpah are all well-represented in society. They ring fiercely and indignantly from virtually every corner of Americana.

These voices insist on division and know no boundaries, crossing political barriers, religious lines, business and entertainment territories, and even reaches the family dinner table.

But where is the calming voice of reason? Where is that voice that settles and soothes and cuts through the discordant noise? Unfortunately, that voice is often lost in the cacophony of savage rudeness and boorish disrespect of a self-righteous generation.

Indeed, it is pervasive in every aspect of our lives today. Who will stand up for the voice of reason?

Every once in awhile, you’ll hear that voice crying out with quiet calmness and composed levelheadedness, asking the common-sense question or reminding people of a less radical approach. The moment is so stark that it stops you in your tracks. Yet, the call is so uncommon that it often momentarily shuts down the noise, only to have it return with a louder, more dominant sound.

Where are the voices of reason? Who will dare stand up to the overbearing, acrimonious crowd with the words of reason?

Merriam-Webster defines the voice of reason as “a person who influences others to act sensibly”. Meanwhile, the Cambridge dictionary concludes: “Reasoning is the ​ability of a ​healthy ​mind to ​think and make ​judgments, ​especially ​based on ​practical ​facts.”

The voice of reason will generally use logic and evidence — read, actual facts! — to influence others who choose to do battle with emotion, fear and guilt. Yes, in this day and time, the voice of reason is typically met head-on with a mob mentality.

But we need that voice in Congress. We need that voice on Main Street. We need that voice in the church. We need that voice on Facebook. And, we need that voice at home and in our daily lives.

It’s not easy, but the times demand it!

Joseph Porter, who is a retired adjunct professor of philosophy says: “The “voice of reason” is used to refer to someone who usually can be counted on to discuss matters in a reasonable way – cool head, carefully stated, well-though-out arguments – someone who can be relied upon to keep potentially heated discussions from overboiling.”

In recent months, I’ve have sought to search out those voices of reason. I’ve even asked the question: Where are the Statesmen? And, I’ve written about the blurred lines between fact and fiction.

But in today’s indignant blind-leading-the-blind rage fest, the steady voice of reason is drowned out, unheard, unheeded and even despised, even kicked out by the masses who parade as mainstream.

The voice of reason is inaudible to irrational people.

Mardy Grothe.

Are you a voice of reason? Are you willing to stick to facts and long-held truth rather than be sucked into the opinions of men built on evolving whims, evil desires and thinly-veiled cravings?

Everyone should aspire to be a voice of reason. Everyone should seek to lower the tone of the conversation. Everyone should endeavor to understand others and reach decent and honorable conclusions based on the good of the many, not the one.

It begins with you and me. Will you be the voice of reason to this generation? Will you determine to refrain from joining the crowded multitudes and become the reasoned majority?

One of the founding fathers, James Madison, so eloquently said: “But the mild voice of reason, pleading the cause of an enlarged and permanent interest, is but too often drowned, before public bodies as well as individuals, by the clamors of an impatient avidity for immediate and immoderate gain.”

The voice of reason is small, but very persistent.

Sigmund Freud.

You don’t have to be loud, you musn’t be overbearing or dictatorial. But you must be there.

The times demand a voice of reason. Will that be you?

–More to come–