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Last week, we watched Raiders of the Lost Ark with two of our kids, their introduction to Indiana Jones. [SPOILERS AHEAD] They loved it.
(Trigger warning: The following references a Christian belief system for illustration purposes, but the principle applies universally regardless of faith tradition.)
After the movie, I explained that the Ark was an expression of God's personal presence among his people, which is why the Nazis couldn't control it and got their faces melted for trying.
Then I told them that, according to our theology, we are the new Ark—God is present through us with an even greater power: the power of love.
They weren’t impressed.
12-year-old: “I’d rather have the power to destroy Nazis.”
I get that — I resonate with that feeling and have dedicated my life to it. But I've found that demonstrating love and respect to all, even those with hateful views, can help uncover the reasons behind their beliefs. By giving them love and respect, we can encourage them to embrace love and respect for those who differ from them. By responding with love for the person despite their actions instead of with hostility, we can eliminate extremist ideologies and gain more allies.
Yes, sometimes, to protect yourself or someone else, you have to roll initiative and use your combat prowess. You have to silence the hate quickly to keep them from hurting more people. But given the chance, loving people instead of melting their faces is more powerful. It’s harder. It’s a lot more work. It doesn’t always succeed. But love is exponentially more powerful.
Because love and respect spread, and that improves our action economy.
“I’d rather have a different power, like shapeshifting.”
OK, I get that, too. That would be cool. And that’s why her current D&D character is a wildfire druid. But every time we play, I have trouble designing combat encounters for her, since she responds to every villain, no matter how despicable or dangerous, with compassion and negotiation attempts. |
