IV. Discernment

The Empress of the United States of America asks all Americans to use their power of discernment to determine the truth in all issues, especially within our current hyper-partisan and stressful atmosphere. Seeking the truth and thinking for ourselves should be one of our highest goals.

Using critical thinking when absorbing relentless media narratives should be a National priority.  Whether we are aware of it or not, we have all been engaged in a daily battle with negative political discourse, and it may be subjecting Americans to a form of PTSD.

There have been many times throughout our history when politics has become over-heated.  Now, due in part to the changes in the media landscape brought on by technology and ever-larger corporate influence on media, we are in a very different and potentially more dangerous situation.

 All of the animosity, arrogance, and vitriol brought about through media narratives presented as facts has divided the Nation, and allowed us to be manipulated.  The daily barrage of political disputes is meant to divide, conquer, and distract.

The definition of discernment is: The quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.

A discerning mind goes beyond the obvious or superficial.  A discerning mind examines, investigates, and considers all matters.  A discerning mind does not become too attached to its own beliefs.  We need to be willing to be challenged, and to think for ourselves.

We must learn to be skeptical, even when our natural, so-called “confirmation bias” impels us to believe that we are correct in our thinking.

As we search for the truth, the opinions of others may get in our way.  Money and power often determine popular opinion, and those who disagree with the “party line” are often labeled dangerous or ignorant.

Employ a healthy skepticism.  Who or what will benefit if you believe everything you read or hear from a particular source?  Investigate and determine who controls the information “pipeline” – delve into parent companies and majority shareholders.  Read legislation and policy as they are being discussed.  Always review political issues from various perspectives and with a sympathetic heart.

When we take the time to study, we usually come to the correct conclusion.

On the campus of one of our Nation’s oldest and most respected institutions of higher learning, some were discussing “Veritas”.  The motto came from the time when the school was a theological seminary, and discernment has always been important to theological study.  It was paraphrased, “Let Plato be your friend, let Aristotle be your friend, but above all, let your best friend be the truth”.  In other words, listen to the experts – the professors – and those in authority, but listen to your own heart, soul, and mind to discern the truth.

The library of this particular institution holds more than 3 million books on site.  No single person could read, much less know everything contained in those volumes.  One would be hard-pressed to read just one stack of books among the tens of thousands that line these corridors.  When anyone, especially a professor from such an esteemed institution, insults people who are not in agreement with their opinion, it is time institutions of higher learning re-examine the concept of education and “Veritas”.  Are we educating or indoctrinating?  If they fail at this very basic principle, they will not be matriculating educated individuals.  We can hardly call ourselves educated if we cannot practice discernment, or allow others to do the same.  We must respect others, as they are on their own path to truth.  We may not all arrive at that destination at the same time.

Freedom of thought should be the hallmark of a society based on freedom and independence.  We must gather all the information that is available to us, and practice the lost art of discernment.