This I Believe, the Radio Show
Edward R. Murrow was an acclaimed newsman for CBS Radio. From 1951 to 1955, he hosted a radio show called “This I Believe” where individuals from all walks of life presented their personal philosophies.
Here is a portion of the transcript of the introduction to This I Believe by Murrow:
“We hardly need to be reminded that we are living in an age of confusion. A lot of us have traded in our beliefs for bitterness and cynicism, or for a heavy package of despair, or even a quivering portion of hysteria. Opinions can be picked up cheap in the marketplace, while such commodities as courage and fortitude and faith are in alarmingly short supply. Around us all—now high like a distant thunderhead, now close upon us with the wet choking intimacy of a London fog—there is an enveloping cloud of fear.
“There is a physical fear, the kind that drives some of us to flee our homes and burrow into the ground in the bottom of a Montana valley like prairie dogs to try to escape, if only for a little while, the sound and the fury of the A-bombs or the hell bombs or whatever may be coming. There is a mental fear which provokes others of us to see the images of witches in a neighbor’s yard and stampedes us to burn down his house. And there is a creeping fear of doubt—doubt of what we have been taught, of the validity of so many things we have long since taken for granted to be durable and unchanging.
“It has become more difficult than ever to distinguish black from white, good from evil, right from wrong. What truths can a human being afford to furnish the cluttered nervous room of his mind with, when he has no real idea how long a lease he has on the future. It is to try to meet the challenge of such questions that we have prepared these broadcasts. It has been a difficult task and a delicate one. Except for those who think in terms of pious platitudes or dogma or narrow prejudice—and those thoughts we aren’t interested in—people don’t speak their beliefs easily or publicly.”
Belief Bullies
That last statement made me laugh out loud. In so many aspects, Murrow’s words still ring true and these days, many people are loudly and obnoxiously proclaiming their pious platitudes, dogma, and narrow prejudice; in fact, some of them won’t stop spewing their beliefs, whether or not others agree with them–forcing their ideas and opinions on others, and demonizing those who do not agree.
It is true that every single person has the need for acknowledgement, acceptance, and appreciation. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs places love, belonging and esteem just above physiological and safety needs. According to Maslow, self-actualization (the desire to become the most that one can be) is at the very top of the pyramid. Perhaps it is a misdirected push toward self-actualization that drives some people to force their beliefs on others.
In his article “What Compels Some People to Force Their Beliefs on Others” Vic Shayne writes, “The irresistible need to foist one’s religious, political, fitness, and you-name-it views and ideals speaks to the unstable and fearful self that seeks at all costs to be grounded and secure in an existence that is anything but stable. For far too many people, if others are not just like them, they find it impossible to get along and be happy. I’m not speaking of someone acting in a professional capacity, but rather the kind of person who is compelled to tell others what to do and believe.”
Obviously, serious problems arise when a person depends on the opinions of others, or more correctly, the agreement of others, in order to measure self-worth or happiness. The unfulfilled person may attempt strong words and intimidation to push to the front of the crowd and bully individuals or whole groups of people into accepting their beliefs. We see it daily: Republicans and Democrats calling each other names, Christians and non-Christians insulting each other, people of different races spouting slogans and mantras that only add to the tension, supporters versus non-supporters of trending causes ready to harm one another. Social media has replaced faithful journalism, and celebrities and “influencers” have replaced educated professionals. Where is the truth in all the rhetoric and racket?
Here’s a thought …
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
Jesus Christ does not demand or threaten; He invites and offers. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life,” but He does not bully or force Himself on others. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus laments those who reject Him, and in Matthew 19:16-23, the rich, young ruler walks away sad even after Jesus’ invitation to follow Him. He claims to have observed all the laws, but declines to give up his wealth (on which he obviously depends above his beliefs).
But Jesus simplifies the laws: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.” If those two commandments are not followed in that order, things are bound to get out of whack.
If, however, I accept those commandments as the core of my belief system, I can replace my opinion of my self-worth with what scripture teaches is God’s opinion of me. Then a lot of things fall into place. I can trust His opinion of me because He made me. He says:
For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:16-17
“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will …” Ephesians 1:4-5
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4
“His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4
I Believe in Love
All-in-all, love is at the core of a belief that leads to harmony in this world, and that is not exclusively a Christian concept:
Ask the Beatles: “All you need is love.”
Ask Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.”
Ask Ray Bradbury: “Love is the answer to everything. It’s the only reason to do anything.”
Ask Abhjit Naskar: “Love is the master key to all the issues of the society.”
Ask Albert Einstein: “There is an extremely powerful force that, so far, science has not found a formal explanation to. It is a force that includes and governs all others, and is even behind any phenomenon operating in the universe and has not yet been identified by us. This universal force is LOVE.”
Ask God: “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Ask an old lady school teacher (that would be me): “If you’re looking for a sure thing, a solid belief to guide your life, choose God Almighty, who ‘demonstrates His own love for us in this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us'” (Romans 5:8).
Calmly but passionately, with all the sincerity I can muster I say, this I believe. I don’t have to hurt or bully someone else to make the point. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, already died to do it. Believe it or not.
God bless you, and please, choose love!
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