AND THEN, THERE IS LABELING

Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) wrote, “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance — that principle is contempt prior to investigation.” This quotation is a paraphrase dating back as far as 1794; an almost verbatim restatement of what British theologian William Payley (1743-1805) wrote in his book, The Rejection of Christianity in Evidences. It’s interesting that Spencer the atheist and Paley the Christian would both see that the way to censer truth and keep people ignorant of it is to express contempt for it before any investigation is made that might validate it.

We live in a day when truth involving a political issue, a social one or even one found in Holy Scripture, is frequently and easily thrown into the street (Isa 59:14) while false narratives and lies are put on a pedestal and applauded. This happens when truth is subjected to “contempt prior to investigation.” It happens when non-preferred truth is labeled “weird,” “dangerous,” “unsubstantiated by the experts,” or as “conspiracy theory,” etc. These are silencing mechanisms used as “a bar against all information” that might serve as “proof against” liars and their lies.

Labeling, along with gas-lighting and projection is one of the Left’s most used tools for the demonizing, discrediting and silencing of their opposition. Those in the business of labeling aim to discourage discussion or honest debate that might threaten their positions and arguments. Those who buy into labeling are lazy thinkers, unwilling to do any mental or spiritual heavy lifting. Both are complicit in the throwing of truth into the street.

What is true for many in America today depends on what was true for the last person they listened to. They want to stay in whatever box they and their friends are in no matter how fabricated and flimsy their box may be. As soon as they hear something labeled as “weird,” “dangerous,” or “conspiracy theory” their minds become a blank slate ready to be written on. (Pay attention to the labels, and share this if you can).