offense

  "He who dares not offend cannot be honest." (Thomas Paine) According to the American Military News.Com Facebook and Instagram have been banning the use of that phrase. There is some advertisement on television that begins with that, but I can't recall what it is they are selling. The sentiment may be, speak your mind and don't be afraid of hurting others' feelings. It could be taken differently though; it could be taken as don't be afraid to make others angry with you. There is a fine line between being blatantly honest and just being spiteful. We have to judge the importance of the message. 

 It is something I find myself faced with often enough, especially in composing these blogs. I don't want to offend anyone, but it happens. It happens when posting comments on my timeline. It happens when posting a comment on various posts and meme's. I expect it will continue as I have a habit of just being honest in my opinions. 

 Thomas Paine never said when you offend someone you are being honest (just telling the truth), just that you aren't afraid. I never set out to offend anyone. It's a challenge at times to express your thoughts without offending others. A difference of opinion is what that is rightfully called, and some get offended by that. Your opinion does not offend me, even when I disagree with that opinion. It may move me to react, sometimes in anger, sometimes with indignation and perhaps even contempt, but I'm not offended. That depends upon the manner in which your opinion was offered. 

 Offended or being offensive? The best defense is a strong offense. It's an ancient military strategy the concept of presenting a strong offense. In that way the enemy is preoccupied with defending themselves. Works that way in conversation as well. If I can get you off balance, a bit upset and reacting to my offensive statement you will respond. Often you will respond with an emotional response rather than a logical one. It's the same concept as, it's hard to remember the objective is to drain the swamp when you are up to your butt in alligators! I don't view it as a loss if you don't change your opinion. I'm not offended. Those that are will often resort to name calling, disparaging and offensive remarks. They are offended. 

 The biggest obstacle to meaningful dialogue is the acceptance of axioms. Axioms are those things that we all agree upon without questioning. They are what we believe to be established as fact. Sometimes that is confused with stereotyping. Another big assumption is that certain actions are systemic generally thought of as being opposed to something or someone. Well yes, there are things that are systemic and not all of them bad. That's usually where the disagreement begins. We haven't agreed upon that axiom. Today the narrative is inclusivity. What that means is accepting anything and everything. There can only be one axiom in that system. It's the one that goes like this, "if it doesn't hurt anyone else it's right." 

 To me that is just a rationalization used to justify your actions. The professionals may call it emotional invalidation. You are saying to me my feelings, thoughts and opinions do not matter. If we all accepted that as an axiom in a society, that society would soon collapse. In order for a society to thrive it must share a common goal. That requires a common set of rules of conduct. A set of "axioms." We call them laws. There is a single axiom that applies; do unto others as you would have others do unto you. A familiar biblical passage. According to Google the first time that was written down was sometime about 2000 years before Christ. It was written by an Egyptian scribe on papyrus. What doesn't hurt others may hurt you and vice-versa.