Social Perspective: Seeing Both Sides of a Coin

With the way our coins look similar in size and shape, we have to look at both sides before we use them for payment. Even feel the rims with our fingers.

Photo by Shaojie on Unsplash.

And the idiomatic meaning is equally important. We have to see both sides (or all sides, for that matter) of anything to get some idea about it. We have to hear both sides of any argument.

Wrong judgments and decisions stem from hearing only one side of a story. I guess this is why the Gospel is in four versions. And why God allows different versions of the bible.

And why journalists have to present everything, both good and bad, of certain issues. Imagine if all news items report only positive stories on the COVID19--that sick people are recovering, people are staying home, relief goods are distributed, test kits are working fine, etc.

What if everything in the news gives an impression that we're in paradise and nothing wrong is happening? That's what many people like--especially die-hards of the government.

I always spouse supporting government at all costs, except the wrong things it does, or at least wrong things done by some of its officials. Like the dengvaxia fiasco, blunders of some mayors in this COVID 19 crisis, or the issue on VIPs given priority over asymptomatic doctors on the use of test kits.

Media should report everything, good or bad, so people will be informed and make right decisions. Releasing only good news is a form of control that misleads people and creates fanaticism and personality cults. No wonder there are unthinking die-hards loyal to politicians rather than to truth.

The same with bible translations. There are several "sides" of the "coin" and it doesn't work anymore that only one bible version is the "authorized" one. We need to see other translations, aside from studying the original Hebrew and Greek, to get at the truth. And we need to see bible passages in various lights--the traditional (man's view) and the radical or prophetic where you depend solely on the Holy Spirit, exactly the way Jesus and the apostles did it.

I don't know about you, but I haven't seen a coin with only one face.