Informed Decisions

My recent involvement in producing the musical Godspell has served as a reminder of the importance and value of being informed and of not passing judgment without complete information. I can understand if people have seen a stage production of Godspell (not the movie version), and form either a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the play based on presentation, production values and content, but why are there a few who say they don't approve of it without ever having seen it? I find that curious.

In fact, why do so many of us so readily express opinions about books, movies and plays, for instance, we've never read or seen? I do it fairly often. I form opinions based on what reviewers and critics say, and not only does it affect my own decisions, but I often feel compelled to tell others what I've merely heard about a certain book or what I've read in a brief review about a movie.

As this behavior applies to making entertainment choices, it's fairly harmless, for the most part, but what happens regularly is the tendency to believe the opinions of others, without further investigation, when it comes to far more important matters such as politics, religion and what we think about individuals. Not only are opinions formed, but even worse, action is often taken without bothering to discover facts. Rushing to ill-considered judgment is not an effective way to make progress or keep the peace in society, in churches or in relationships.

Our spiritual journey must encompass critical thinking, especially in cases when we're being told who and what should be receiving our stamp of approval or disapproval. (That we are being told to give our approval or disapproval is problematic in itself.) Merely listening to the opinions of others week after week, certainly my own included, no matter how sincere or well-meaning the one offering opinions may be, is no substitute for our own study, prayer and reflection on how we are to live and interact with others in the context of what Jesus taught. Without putting effort into making informed decisions, without questioning assumptions, as believers, we are in danger of missing the point and doing far more harm than good.