People always say they want the truth but as in the movie A Few Good Men, some just can’t handle it when it is given to them, even when presented with indisputable facts. Then again, one person’s truth may not be the same as another; in other words, it’s abstract truth.

In case you don’t know abstract truth has no reference to material objects or specific examples; it’s not concrete. It is not applied or practical; theoretical. It is hard to understand; abstruse. We can apply this to the recent impeachment debacle. No concrete proof, only he said, she said. Nothing to understand. It exists only in the mind.

People who express only abstract truth, may actually believe it, though it is without validity. On the other hand, concrete truth is real.

In today’s world, the lines are being blurred between abstract and concrete and abstract truth is used as propaganda. It prevents us from thinking for ourselves. For those who have lost the ability to think for themselves because of all the propaganda, abstract is easier for them to accept, as it takes no research and no getting involved.

We have been sold abstract truth for way too long and we the people need to stop it. We know better or at least we should and we should practice thinking for ourselves. When you no longer think for yourself, you are like a pig going to slaughter and will go down the path willingly.

It has happened more than once in our history. Think holocaust. It is indeed true that when good men do nothing, evil flourishes.

I know that you cannot boycott everything but when you support something that is against your values, it continues to thrive. Only by refusing to participate in large numbers do things change. For example, human trafficking makes most of sick to our stomachs. Yet, you watch the half time shows at football games that depict people in cages and have vulgar moves. If you want to argue you only watch the commercials, you need to check yourself. You can watch the commercials before and after the game without watching the half time show or the game. 

I did not watch but the comments I saw on social media, made me ashamed of the whole NFL scene. I gave up the NFL years ago as the protest of not standing for the national anthem came on the scene. If the NFL can let players do that, then I can let the NFL go. Yes, we have freedom of speech but as I’ve said over and over, with freedom comes responsibility and there are right and wrong ways to do things. Disrespecting your country is not the right way.  I know not everyone agrees and you are entitled to feel that way, but I am entitled to feel the way I do as well whether you like it or not.

If you let your young children watch the half time show, then shame on you. Such shows tell young people lewdness is okay. This is part of what’s wrong with society. We say we despise something, yet participate in it one way or another. We cannothave it both ways. You have to take a stand one way or the other. I believe there is a country song that states if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. How appropriate. 

If you truly believe in something, you are willing to take a stand. We all need to ask ourselves, what is it we are willing to stand for regardless of the consequences. Those things we are against, we need to quit giving credence to by not watching or not participating and not publicizing it so much. Think about what has your heart and where you really stand. One day each of us will give an accounting for those things. Are you ready?

VICTORIA SIMMONS Is a columnist, author, motivational speaker, minister and publisher of The Georgia Post/Byron Buzz. Contact her at: vsimmons54@gmail.com