Being secure in your beliefs means being able to accept other perspectives
Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, April 8, 2026
My college-aged grandson wrote a blog about a whale falling from the sky.
He described the incident from the perspective of a person on a city street, looking up and watching the whale as it approached from the sky. Then he told about the whale falling from the perspective of an executive in a corner top office of a skyscraper. Finally, he described what the whale probably saw down below as it plummeted to the ground. Seeing events from different perspectives is an ability we all need to develop. It’s a skill that gives us the ability to have the vision that all leaders and followers need to develop.
Learning about perspective is what got me out of a cult when I was in my early twenties. I went to Pepperdine University which was then located in south Los Angeles. I had a professor named Dr. Clarke for some of my courses for a master’s in history. Dr. Clarke specialized in historiography—the study of historic writing.
One of the books I had to read was a D.C. Heath book on differing views of why the American Civil War occurred. My thinking from my cult mentality was to see the world from an either/or black-or-white perspective. Reading the book with its fifteen differing views, all of which were backed up by historical evidence, broadened my viewpoint and made me aware that my thinking had been too narrow.
The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868 after the Civil War, takes this perspective of American citizenship: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” The phrase, “and subject to the jurisdiction thereof” referred to two groups: children born to foreign diplomats, and Native Americans. Native Americans were considered foreign nations residing within the United States. They were not deemed to be American citizens until the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act by Congress in 1924.
Recently, Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued against birthright citizenship in front of the Supreme Court. Here’s an account of the interchange from the HuffPost:
“The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this morning on President Donald Trump’s effort to do away with birthright citizenship. It would seem Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who argued on behalf of the government, was a little less than prepared. [nor did he understand Justice Gorsuch’s perspective.]
“Asked by Justice Neil Gorsuch, who has an extensive legal background in tribal rights, if Native Americans would qualify for birthright citizenship, Sauer was caught flat-footed: ‘Uhh, I think so?’ he said.”
“Your test is the domicile of the parents. And that would be the test you’d have us apply today, right? Are tribal [children], born today, birthright citizens?”
“Sauer, again, didn’t have a clear answer.
“Uhhh, I think so? On our test, yeah,” he said. “I’m not sure. I’d have to think that through. But, but — that’s my reaction.”
‘I’ll take the yes,’ responded Gorsuch, chuckling.”
It became very obvious that the majority of conservative justices were not buying President Trump’s argument of who and who is not an American citizen. The President attended the hearing but left abruptly after 45 minutes of listening. He was very unhappy that his perspective was not carrying the day.
The inability to see differing viewpoints on controversial issues is usually what separates Americans politically and religiously today. Those who can, understand how someone might disagree with their view. They tend to be a lot humbler and more reflective than those who get defensive, angry, and argumentative when someone states an opinion that differs from their own.
It’s my observation that those who can’t see that someone may have valid reasons for opposing opinions are like Solicitor General Sauer. They haven’t done their homework. Such people believe their view is the only rational one. In other words, they’re just like I was when I was confronted with a multitude of perspectives about the causes of the Civil War.
This group has a cult-like mentality. They are not secure enough in their own beliefs to consider other perspectives. For me, that realization that there could be multiple viewpoints was empowering rather than threatening. I experienced an epiphany—an awakening—in realizing that my thinking was too narrow. It became one of several steps on my path out of cult like thinking.
I am proud of my grandson for knowing the importance of perspective at his young age. Would that we all understood that. We would be so much better off.
