hope and dismay

Yesterday, I was listening to Here and Now with Robin Young on NPR.  This is my usual practice on the way home from work, and is about the only way I stay up-to-date on world news.  In this particular episode, Robin Young interviewed Brendan Nyhan, author of the study "When Corrections Fail: The Persistence of Political Misperceptions" (Boston Globe report here).   

It's a disheartening study.  Basically, Nyhan finds that correct facts to do not typically change a person's misperceptions, even when those facts are proven and basically irrefutable.  But the study suggests something even more worrisome:  when faced with facts that refute our beliefs, we are likely to hold on to those beliefs even more strongly.  It's a fact backlash, if you will.  Which seems completely counter-intuitive, but is not totally surprising when paying attention to the news.  Notice, for instance, how a growing number of US citizens believe President Obama is a Muslim - an irrefutably false claim, but a claim that supports anti-Obama sentiment for many.

And then there's the horrifying example of the pastor and "church" (yes, I used quotes, because I just can't believe Jesus would claim it as his own) in Florida planning the Qu'ran burning.  Though people from all walks of life, including the military, have condemned their plan, the "church" is determined to carry out the burning.  Why?  Why would they do this, when everyone seems to be asking them to stop?  I wonder what would have happened if they hadn't received any media attention over this.  Would they have been more willing to consider a change if they had been approached privately by people they respect?  I don't know.  But it seems that the massive outcry and attention has only strengthened their resolve to carry on.  [update: it now appears they may cancel the burning, though only on the condition that the Park51 center in NY is moved and the Muslim leader there meets with the FL leader - not exactly a gracious backing down, but at least some movement away from the extremism - so maybe the outcry did finally reach them]

It makes me wonder, when faced with contrary data (or opinion), how often do I just dig in my heels?

This is cause for dismay, to be sure.  But in the midst of the dismay, there is hope.  A friend posted this article on facebook today:  Heartsong Church Welcomes Memphis Islamic Center.  It was so nice to read about kindness and hospitality, rather than the hate and hostility we so often hear in the media.  It seems like some Christ-followers actually try to live like Jesus.

And I hope and suspect it's more than just some.  I hope there are many more instances every day when Christ-followers act like Christ.  When love wins over hatred.  When justice wins over oppression.  When goodness wins over evil.  We just don't hear about them as much. 

Sometimes I have to take a break from the news because it hurts too much.  But stories like the one above remind me that life isn't all bad.  In some cases, it's very, very good.  And my hope is that ultimately the good will triumph.