In this series of articles, I’d like to tackle some thorny cultural lies that I believe impact how you and I think, believe, and live more than we might consciously realize on a day-to-day basis.

Whether we like it or not, we are influenced by the cultural milieu in which we live, and I believe the internet and social media has only highlighted this further in the last few decades.

Now, I understand that the use of the term “cultural lie” reflects a strong posture that may elicit different reactions or emotions in you, but know that my heart is to stimulate and provoke thinking.

That said, the first cultural lie that I’d like to bring forth and expose is this idea that you and I can actually be neutral as it relates to significant life issues, such as our beliefs, values, worldview, morality and ethics.

The word “neutrality” refers to this notion that one can truly be completely free of bias, slant, or perspective on an issue, whatever the issue may be.

Some, myself included, would wonder: is this even possible?

Many, myself included, would reframe this very idea as “the myth of neutrality.”

In other words, I don’t think it is possible to be completely neutral!

Yet, to add to this, I wonder sometimes if the deeper issue is the sublte – or not so subtle -cultural pressures we feel to somehow view neutrality as a noble virtue.

In my observation, we very much live in a culture that rewards political correctness and theoretical neutrality in such a way that seems to honor and respect certain perspectives/worldviews at the expense of other perspectives/worldviews but does so in a way that is demeaning, damaging, and hurtful (and isn’t even ultimately neutral anyway–> hence my term “theoretical neutrality”).

So, I ask: is seeking this type of neutrality – the way I define it – really noble?

And..even more relevant – is neutrality – the way I define it – even realistic?

In other words, do you think you can be completely neutral as a person when it comes to the significant issues of life?

(Hint: if you answer “yes,” then that’s the wrong answer :)

Indeed, my contention is that none of us is completely neutral, and – to take it a step further – I would argue that it’s actually not necessary, especially beneficial, or important to be neutral.

Heck, I’m not neutral myself! If I was, I wouldn’t be writing this article :)

In other words, I do genuinely believe some ways of thinking, believing, and acting are indeed better than other ways of thinking, believing, and acting.

So, rather than being “neutral,” what I propose is that it is important to be self-aware, humble, open-minded, and strive to be objective.

With that in mind, I’d ask a different set of questions to you:

Are you AWARE of your own biases and prejudices?

Are you HUMBLE enough to recognize how these views come into play when you relate to others?

Do you strive to be OBJECTIVE (rather than neutral) in how you view things?

Let’s thrive in truth!