Editor, Commonwealth:
A few days ago, I heard a government official use the terms “maybe” and “if.”
I thought to myself, what does he mean by “maybe” and how could “if” serve as an answer? It seems to be a polite way of not providing a clear response. “Maybe” could represent a “no,” with the possibility of being a “yes” under another set of circumstances or at a different time. “If” is not a “yes” or a “no”; it can actually mean nothing. It seems to me that “if,” “maybe” and “almost” are types of double-talk, in which there is a correlation that represents following the status quo or refusing to give an exact answer.
However, the world we are living in has moved to a new day, and the old idea about what is normal is being tested.
I don’t believe that our present situation with this devastating virus will last a few weeks and just disappear. With that being so, let’s take a look at some examples in which “maybe” and “if” will no longer get it done.
Maybe, it is a bad idea to have megachurches, in which thousands of people show up at the same time for fellowship and worship. Perchance, there is a difference between fellowship and worship. Should the two be treated differently? I am not claiming to be an expert, but the effectiveness of a group is negatively impacted by the size. Thousands of people sitting in close proximity could be a thing of the past.
Conceivably, what we have been calling “educating the children,” which has had a greater focus on testing rather than teaching, might need to revert into simpler processes. The old ways of developing critical thinkers, teaching children how to follow directions, building character skills and holding our children to acceptable standards of behavior will produce young people who understand the fact that it is not all about them.
Finally, if all the money in the world could not buy a single second to expand a rich man’s life, what is the true value of money? If we must develop new habits to survive in the new world that is being created, why would we think that “maybe,” “if” or “almost” will suffice in response to the calamity? If all the nuclear weapons in the world cannot stop the virus and one cannot shoot it to death, we will either change or perish!
Charles Brady
Greenville
