The Importance of Worldview

Everybody has a worldview. I do. You do. Everybody. Out of the 7+ billion people in the world, it is doubtful that any two people have exactly the same worldview; and that's a beautiful thing. Worldviews are often referred to in an extremely broad sense, such as a "Christian worldview," "Muslim worldview," "Democratic worldview," etc. Fact is, within these broad worldviews, each member has its own specific worldview. For example, do Muslims that support Jihad view the world the same as the Muslims that embrace peace? No. Does Billy Graham share an identical worldview as the local pastor down the street? Nope. So whose worldview is right? There's only one human alive with a perfect worldview. There used to be three, but time has narrowed it down to one. But I'll reveal this person's identity later on. For now, I'll give you a hint: it isn't me.

So no two people have the exact same worldview, but how is that beautiful? The beauty is found in balance. When's the last time you have appreciated a thing of beauty of any sort, be it an original painting, a composer's musical masterpiece, a sunset, your spouse, a newborn baby, an ocean, mountains, or even a random act of kindness? Were any one of these exactly the same, made of the exact same color, sounded exactly alike, and made you feel exactly the same? No, they were all uniquely different, demanding uniquely different reactions, emotions, and thoughts. Their difference is what makes them beautiful. But it is not just their difference, but they all have underlying themes. Not all music is beautiful, nor all paintings, nor beaches. In fact, some are just plain ugly. So what sets apart the beautiful from the ugly? The theme(s) from which the beautiful thing originated. These themes speak to us, consciously or subconsciously, and create a response based on how it corresponds to our worldview. Themes that are generally universally accepted as corresponding to beauty include love, peace, honesty, innocence, etc. Yet, there is balance. A peaceful symphony is not played overly loud, nor too quiet, but composed at a range of volumes and pitches that balance each other out and create a beautiful sound. Yet, like all things that balance, there must be a counterweight. The same is true in one’s worldview. One cannot know the true value of peace until they have experienced turmoil, honesty until they have experienced deceit, innocence until they have experienced corruption. This is part of the reason why no two worldviews are completely identical, because we have all experienced both sides of the balancing scale to different degrees at different stages in our lives. It is for this reason why beauty is recognized in a multitude of differentiating ways across the world. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This is not saying that beauty is 100% relative, because it is not. Just because someone views something as beautiful, does not make it beautiful. Adversely, if something is considered ugly, does not mean that it has no beauty. What it does mean is that the lens through which one views anything effects the value they will place on that particular object.

Sad truth is, that while beauty is everywhere, too few people stop to appreciate it. The reason for this is not an over-saturation of beauty, but rather too few well-rooted worldviews from people who both recognize and understand the lens through which they view the entire world, both macro and micro. When one becomes aware that they have a worldview and can define it, then one is able to give specific reason as to why they see beauty or ugliness in an object, action, or idea. When someone does not understand their specific worldview, nor even recognize the existence of one, they are more easily swayed by outside influences such as peer pressure, news media persuasions, sweet talking politicians, or government propaganda (if you believe in such conspiracies.) It is for this reason that an extremely vocal minority can dictate and persuade multitudes of people to support their cause without providing any logical rationality to back it up. They take advantage of worldviews who have no roots. That is, when a person cannot define the specific elements making up their worldview, if the person even consciously recognizes that they even have a worldview. Without a root system, it is easy to be persuaded when someone appeals to vague concepts which align with the vague worldview one holds. Think about Obama’s campaign slogan that he won on: hope. Who doesn’t like hope? Without a worldview that defines what specifically hope looks like to a specific individual, anyone is free to define hope for that individual. Tolerance is used so frequently in the public school systems today. What is tolerance? How to you define it? How to those preaching tolerance define it? Or love. Everybody believes in love! Love is universally accepted as a key ingredient to a healthy ingredient. So why should the government stop two people in love, regardless of sex? Why? Well, that too is defined by one’s worldview. How does others define love? How do you define love? And for my final example, sharing. After all, "sharing is caring." We teach our children how to share, how to love, how to be tolerant, and to chase after their hopes and aspirations. Socialism believes in sharing, and love, and tolerance, and a hope for the future. So is socialism wrong? What’s your definition of sharing? If something appeals to an ideal which aligns with the general make up of one’s worldview, but yet seems troubling, it’s time to dig deeper. If there seems to be a contradiction, one must check his premises. By which, I mean if one seems to be confronting a contradiction, then at least one of their relevant beliefs is false. Recognizing and defining one’s worldview in specific details helps strengthen one’s belief system, as well as creates recognition as to what has played a role in the shaping of their worldview, for better or worse. By recognizing one’s worldview on a macro level, and defining the specific details it entails on a micro level, one establishes roots, able to flourish and grow in the nutrient rich soil of reason and understanding. If one does not establish deep worldview roots, they are more easily swayed by the blowing of the wind, not being rooted in their knowledge of why they believe what they believe, and having no well-defined reason to back it up.

Yet, even amongst people who have deep-rooted worldviews, their outlooks and beliefs differ widely, and not just on the minor details. There seem to be entire worldviews that are both deep-rooted, yet clashing with each other, constantly at battle. There seems to be, because there is. There are multiple worldviews at war with each other at all times. It is these worldviews that can make political debates feel like a warzone, or differing religions that both preach love despise each other, or fuel racism. Isn't the difference in opposing worldviews supposed to be beautiful? Yes, to the degree that iron sharpens iron. It is good to bring depth to one’s worldview by playing devil’s advocate, but when one goes toe to toe with the devil himself, that sword will become mighty sharp mighty quick, or one will die trying. It’s a silver lining, perhaps, but back to the point of balance: one cannot truly appreciate their own worldview, nor someone else’s worldview, until they experience a worldview in direct opposition of their own. So in this war of worldviews, how does one win? A win would be defined as converting an adversary to change his worldview to match one’s own worldview to an extent. To win the war on worldviews, one must first have a deep-rooted worldview with respect as an offshoot of the love root. Ultimately it is love that will win a worldview war, but by means of respect. When one loses sight of the fact that they are fighting a war against an adversary’s worldview and not against them as a person, the war has already been decided. Neither side will win, for both will go to their graves still in a vicious battle to the end. However, if one chooses weapons focused on attacking an opposing worldview, while managing to respect the person holding that particular worldview, then there is hope. This is the difference between pro-life groups that murder abortionists and pro-life groups that stand against abortion by legal means and means that to not personally target those involved. This is the difference between those that stand for traditional marriage by means of “hating the sin yet loving the sinner,” and those who verbally, physically, or otherwise attack a homosexual as a person.

Love is the basis for any truly beautiful worldview. Not beautiful just because I am the beholder, but beautiful because love is beautiful by nature. Respect is a part of love. Love and respect can change worldviews, leading to a change in the world. There was one man in history who understood and capitalized on this concept more than anybody else. This is the only person who has a perfect worldview. He is Jesus. He loved those who held such opposing worldviews, that it was inconceivable from anyone looking from the outside in. From tax collectors to beggars, to adulteresses to thieves, these are the worldviews that Jesus changed by means of love and respect. It is His worldview that is perfect. It is His worldview that this world is at war with. It is His worldview that one should constantly revise their own to better reflect. The way Jesus viewed the world changed the course of history, as written in John 3:16-21. Will your worldview change history? What impact will your worldview have?