Frustration (revised)

(I published this one earlier, but Lynetta told me it was too vague and didn't make any sense. so, here is the revised version. Maybe this one will be better)

It's not really a matter of ignorance (that is such an ugly word). It is more a matter of capability.


It is obvious that a 6 year old child does not possess the life experience and prerequisite concepts required to understand the intricate concepts and formulas of college algebra. Everyone understands that. There are however, many adults (me included) who have never learned enough of the basic foundations of mathematics to understand even the first thing about solving a quadratic equation. And although my 6 year old grandson would probably have a better shot at understanding it than I do, it would really be futile for anyone to attempt explaining it to either of us.

But this article is not about college algebra. It is about the frustration of trying desperately to get someone to understand something that they simply do not have the capability of understanding.

I received a letter last week. The letter, though kind, was not meant to flatter me or encourage me. It was quite the opposite. The letter was was written in plain English. However, the words and thoughts contained in the letter were as foreign to me as if they had been written in Greek.

The letter claimed that I had been brainwashed by evil misguided people. The letter writer pleaded with me to give up my sinful beliefs and to renounce my warped views of grace, acceptance, tolerance and unity. The letter conclude with a tearful prayer that I would return to my senses and to the “one and only true church” before it was everlastingly too late. It asked for a response.

How do I respond to that? How could I even begin to explain? Are they even capable of understanding?

Or, perhaps it is me who is incapable. Should I be so arrogant as to think that I am much wiser and above such drivel? No, that would put me on the same level as the letter writer. I am sure of two things: First, I am convinced that the letter writer was sincere. Secondly, I am convinced that the letter writer thinks that they are at the top of the religious learning curve and somehow I have fallen or been led off of the curve completely.

Part of my frustration lies in the fact that I am so easily drawn back into these old useless arguments. I have this terrible tendency to want to criticize the criticizers - denounce the denouncers – and condemn the condemners. I can tolerate anything but intolerance!

By the way, I did respond to the letter. I wish now that I had not.