Can I Axe You a Question?

     Someone once said, "There's no such thing as a dumb question." I've wondered many times in my life if anyone reputable actually said that or if it just became a thing, like "can't even" or "swag." Don't even get me started on those, though. I can't even. Back on point, I kind of feel like someone must have needed credibility once, so they said, "As somebody once said, 'There's no such thing as a dumb question,'" and everybody probably thought, "I'm sure somebody has," and they all just went along with it. That's how the saying was born. I'm almost 73% convinced.

     Regardless of the saying's origins, we've all probably said it at least once, and I'd bet my Grandpa's remaining kidney that we've all heard it (maybe this is why I don't gamble...). A related preface is, "You know what they say:" Who are they? Why do they get a say in this? I don't even know them—unless, of course, I do, in which case I would appreciate a much less ambiguous ethos appeal so I know that I can actually trust what I'm hearing. Otherwise, they could be neo-political, self-endorsed bloggers (like myself) who will hopefully never qualify as a scholarly secondary source on any topic, even blogging. We're not apt. Or sane.

     The world is full of self-proclaimed experts. I'm one of them. I self-proclaim expertise on writing, grammar, religion (at least Christianity), many political platforms, hockey, football, movies, television, acting, songwriting, guitar, piano, and I don't even know what else. But when there's a controversial Facebook post about it, I'll be sure to let you know.

     That right there is the point of this post. Only a small fraction of us actually know what we're talking about on only a small fraction of what shows up in our news feed. We don't read, watch, or listen to the news; we don't study fiscal implications on tax increases and free education; the only thing we know about illegal immigration is that it involves illegal immigrants; does anyone even know what ISIS stands for? (P.S. even after you Google "ISIS" right now to find out what it stands for, you are not an expert on the topic). Saturday Night Live has a clever sketch called "Should You Chime in on This?" about a game show where contestants receive a topic of a hot-button current events issue, and the question is the aforementioned title. The answer is "no," theoretically. But that's not what they say. Ever. We all know those people who think they know everything about everything. I know a few of them, and everyone whom I know knows me, and I certainly fit that category.

     Now, let me clarify that it's wonderful to seek learning and understanding. We should grow; we should ask questions; we should converse, discuss, and debate; we should toss ideas around so we can learn from each other. It's a citizen's duty to be informed and updated with all major issues, whether locally, globally, or anywhere in between. One problem is pretending to know more than we do, but that's a trait of humanity, so I don't want to keep beating that horse. The bigger problem I see is when friends become hostile in their search for truth.

     Christ taught, "For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away" (3 Nephi 11:29-30).

     When there is contention, the Spirit of the Lord cannot be present. Self-defense is obviously a different story, but when we attack one another, the Spirit is grieved—offended, even—and must retire. Such is the nature of deity. So whenever we post angry comments or accusatory questions (axeing instead of asking), the Spirit can't testify of the truth, no matter who's right. Only God can give us proper enlightenment, including in civic matters, so we need to play by His rules if we want His presence.

     Even off the subject of religion, people don't respond to fiery attacks. Well, we do, but we respond equally vehemently. The point is that when we're angry and spiteful, we close off our hearts to everything shy of armor-piercing ammunition. In that state, our hearts can no longer be touched—only torn apart.

     Ignorance isn't the plague of Facebook, and that's not what we're really seeing throughout social media. It's not just that people like cops or don't like cops, that refugees should stay or go, or that women should or should not be able to breastfeed without coverings in public or do or do not have the right to an abortion. Those are valid concerns for a number of reasons. Beyond valid, they're actually pretty important. Lives and futures are at stake. But it's not so much that we don't understand the issues; the problem is that we don't understand each other.

     The real plague of social media is a lack of kindness. People are still people online, and just because somebody says provocative things, that doesn't mean you have be provoked. That's a conscious decision on everybody's part. Let's be responsible, reasonable, and respectful. Let us love one another as Christ loves us and behave in such a way that would make Him smile. So many people axe questions because of their devout religious beliefs, hoping to instill in their peers the same love for God that they feel. One thing I need to remember more is that Christ wants us to be missionaries, and He wants us to stand for truth. But the greatest of these is charity. If we're not one, we're not His. That doesn't mean we have to agree on everything; it just means we won't do anything to hurt each other because of our love for those around us.

     You know what they say: there's no such thing as a dumb question. Whether or not that's true, there is certainly such a thing as a mean question, and those will never move us forward.

Here's a fantastic video about bullying—both in person and online—and how we can stop it. Please watch!