LETTER: ‘Tis the season for open minds
Editor,
Over the past few years I have read many letters to the editor about people not being open-minded to other values. I will be the first to admit that I have been guilty of being close-minded at times and probably will again in the future. I think it is safe to say that no matter how we are, we have been guilty of being close-minded before. I feel that being completely open-minded, is not a realistic goal. No matter how hard we try, we will always look at the world through our own glasses.
A more realistic goal would be for people to strive to have unconditional positive regard for other people’s values. This concept stresses that we accept the other person’s point of view as being worthy, and listen to their values without judging them. However, we do not need to assimilate the other person’s point of view in order to have unconditional positive regard toward them.
There are many activities that are going on this month that can help people practice developing unconditional positive regard toward others. The Cache Community Connections, a group made up of local civic and religious leaders, came up with the idea to have members from religious groups take a week to visit another religious group. Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in an interfaith exchange. I, being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had never had the opportunity to attend an Episcopalian church. I was able to attend a special class they held for newcomers, and their formal worship service. I had a great experience learning about their beliefs, and meeting their members. Friday, at the Logan Tabernacle, there is going to be an interfaith Thanksgiving celebration. Saturday, at the First Presbyterian Church, members from various groups are meeting together to help sell gifts for third-world countries.
I hope that we all can strive to engage in activities that will increase our unconditional positive regard given to people with different beliefs from our own.
Todd Shaffer