There was a piece in the NY Times Magazine very recently about how people don't even know what "humbled" means anymore, and use it every time they are honored with an award, as in "I am so humbled by the Academy giving me this Oscar." Hard to show humility if you can't properly define it, don't you think?
15
Having been to my Episcopal church this morning, I am always reminded of humility. We humble ourselves by kneeling when we pray and when we receive the Sacraments. We say the Prayer of Humble Accessible- "We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his body, and our souls washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen."
That is a prayer of humility, not one of arrogance, and it's a very powerful one. As Christians, most of us know we might well have been part of the mob, yelling "Give us Barabas!" Our love from God is given to us through Christ. We did not and do not earn it - it was given to us.
Do not lump all Christians together. There are still many denominations that emphasize that we are all poor, miserable sinners, but that Christ still died for us and loves us, unloveable as we may be.
As for politics, well, most Christians I know were none too pleased with either candidate. Certainly neither reflected Christian virtue and humility but they were what we had from which to choose.
That is a prayer of humility, not one of arrogance, and it's a very powerful one. As Christians, most of us know we might well have been part of the mob, yelling "Give us Barabas!" Our love from God is given to us through Christ. We did not and do not earn it - it was given to us.
Do not lump all Christians together. There are still many denominations that emphasize that we are all poor, miserable sinners, but that Christ still died for us and loves us, unloveable as we may be.
As for politics, well, most Christians I know were none too pleased with either candidate. Certainly neither reflected Christian virtue and humility but they were what we had from which to choose.
14
This is a good essay. It is worth noting that humility comes from the word humus, or earth. Put another way, if you are humble your feet are planted firmly on the ground. Too bad that too many of our politicians spend too much time trying to defy gravity.
24
Perhaps the Author of it all's story is so perfect it requires the humility to have faith.
6
"humility should be a defining trait of Christians." Maybe, but I kinda think it is 'faith through good works'. A lot of the Christians I know fail in one way or another, but they feel that as long as they keep 'plugging away', they will find their way into God's good graces. The Christian religion supports this: it tells people that as long as they repent of their sins, they can be absolved. Well, why don't they just repent for being lazy? I don't know, but would note that, as much as we all complain about it, work gives our lives meaning. When we're working, we're working for all the things we will later ask to be forgiven. We're NOT working for the thing that makes our lives substantive, meaning, even though that's the only thing work really provides us. The value of Christianity is it will forgive us our shortcomings. Yes, even sloth. The problem is the Christians will not forgive us our sloth. Even though not stated, that's the cardinal sin. And the advantage of modern Christianity.
5
Actually humility is a by-product of compassion. When you love others as yourself, you see yourself in them. Their pain is your pain. Their needs are your needs. This ability to identify, to share in good and bad with others, leads to humility.
44
Thank you for this timely and thoughtful article, both for meditation on Easter's deeper meaning, but also for our secular, civic, and political spheres. A few months ago another column was published by the Times in the Well section. It was a review of current peer reviewed research on leadership and humility. For me the leadership aspect includes spouses, parents, therapists, business owners and public servants. The article deepens and widens the space of humility. Please consider taking a few minutes and reading it. http://wpo.st/78QL2
4
A very erratic essay. Sometimes he has good things to say about humility, ie. defining it as forgetting yourself. But Jesus' obedience is not necessarily a sign of humility, just a sign of obedience. And how is the supposition that Christians make better neighbors and citizens anything other than arrogance?
16
I have always found a little humility goes a long way in providing us with wisdom, character, grace and empathy - traits that can't be taught or faked (witness trump). And traits I find sorely lacking in many "evangelicals". Immediately comes to mind the likes of Pat Roberts, Ted Cruz and Mike Pence, none of whom have even the slightest acquaintance with the word.
25
Texas knows nothing but false faith, bravado and football. Football is war for cowards. Evangelicals like Jeffress think they want a crusade, but like the leaders they promote, they will turn and run at the soonest sign of real conflict. Real faith takes guts. Spaghetti Westerns is what is at the intestinal core of Trump supporting religious fanatics. Didn't learn from Reagan or Bush. Won't learn from Trump. If there's a Hell, they'll meet it. And deserve it for sheer stubborn and insolent rejection of truth. If God made the world, he probably wanted us to take the facts of his creation seriously, not ignore them. But good luck believing God is in favor of whatever fantasy suits your self-interest best. Your cookie-cutter mega-church pastor is probably right.
7
Humility is better taught by example than by writing Op-Ed pieces about it.
6
Humility is lacking in this piece.
8
How is it possible to have a rational and reasoned discussion – with humility from both sides – with a religious evangelical person who believes in miracles, and the literal truth of the Bible?
Evangelical Christianity believes that I, a non believer, am doomed to hellfire and brimstone and agony for eternity – simply because I do not believe, have not accepted Jesus as my personal savior, and have not been baptized in the holy trinity.
This seems utterly devoid of humility within the faith, and on behalf of the believer. It is judgmental and retributive and I can't be a part of it.
More Evangelicals might take a clue from Pope Francis – "Who am I to judge?"
Evangelical Christianity believes that I, a non believer, am doomed to hellfire and brimstone and agony for eternity – simply because I do not believe, have not accepted Jesus as my personal savior, and have not been baptized in the holy trinity.
This seems utterly devoid of humility within the faith, and on behalf of the believer. It is judgmental and retributive and I can't be a part of it.
More Evangelicals might take a clue from Pope Francis – "Who am I to judge?"
19
Any religion that proselytizes; considers its Way the only, its Truth the only Truth and that its duty to God and religion is to impose that Way and Truth on Others can not be considered "humble".
Nor can that religion's adherents.
Nor can that religion's adherents.
18
Mr. Wehner's words ring true.
With social media, anyone with fingers can expound on a topic-- without a shred of knowledge. It's become part of our culture to yell first and think later, if at all.
No wonder we have a president who is the antithesis of a wise and humble leader: He makes false assertions with astounding certitude, disdains expertise (who needs advisors when you know everything?) and believes complex situations can be solved with a meme (and is shocked when he faces reality). He acts rashly and blames the resulting failure on others.
Every aspect of his crass and shallow life (business, family, relationships) screams "This is a man with no humility!"
If only America had cared.
With social media, anyone with fingers can expound on a topic-- without a shred of knowledge. It's become part of our culture to yell first and think later, if at all.
No wonder we have a president who is the antithesis of a wise and humble leader: He makes false assertions with astounding certitude, disdains expertise (who needs advisors when you know everything?) and believes complex situations can be solved with a meme (and is shocked when he faces reality). He acts rashly and blames the resulting failure on others.
Every aspect of his crass and shallow life (business, family, relationships) screams "This is a man with no humility!"
If only America had cared.
34
However appealing the argument, it is hard to agree with it, from the perspective of the many failings of Christians in power of seeking it. Tolerance and compassion weight equally strong. Attempting to rank virtues is am impossible task, which C.S. Lewis successfully accomplished:
“Courage is not merely one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue, precisely at its testing point, which is the highest point of reality”
C.S. Lewis
“Courage is not merely one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue, precisely at its testing point, which is the highest point of reality”
C.S. Lewis
2
One of the experiences that convinced me that religious belief is a form of delusional disorder was an extended encounter with an evangelical Christian who steadfastly refused to concede that he might be wrong in his religious beliefs.
14
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble, it's what you know for sure that just ain't so." -Mark Twain
14
Did you concede that you might be wrong in some of yours?
6
Of course I did. I am an agnostic atheistic.
5
I suspect it would be impossible to find a single person in the new President's administration who possesses this quality, and it would also be quite a challenge to find very many elected officials at the national or state level who demonstrate a consistent history of humility (Bernie Sanders seems like one of very few). While there have been many CEOs in business history who demonstrated great humility, it is virtually absent from business leadership today. After giving this a bit of thought, I would suggest the current Pope is among very few leaders in public life showing this quality. If Mr. Wehner is right about the importance of humility (and I believe he is---a rare instance of my agreement with him), we are in for a very rough ride.
30
Peter,
The photograph heading this article is embarrassing.
No one should demonstrate obeisance by prostrating themselves, whether they be Christian, Muslim or any other cult.
Humility didn't get you, Peter, where you are today.
What is the name of the social psychologist with whom you had breakfast so I can verify his/her credentials ?
I, too, dislike arrogance but I think pride is a virtue (we need self-esteem to get anything accomplished in life).
I like doubt (skeptics say, "I wonder". Cynics say, "I know").
As a cradle Anglo-Catholic & current agnostic, I disagree with your views & perspective of life.
Humility is NOT self-confidence in anybody's dictionary.
I steer clear of evangelists because their mission is to "spread their version of the good news" in an effort to convert.
Conversion has a very dubious history including the "Conversos" & "Marranos" of the 15th century Inquisition.
Likewise the sheep who followed Jim Jones to "Jonestown".
Jesus' greatest attribute, in my opinion, was not humility, but teaching by parables & metaphor, as well as the concept of doing unto others as you would like to have done to you.
The photograph heading this article is embarrassing.
No one should demonstrate obeisance by prostrating themselves, whether they be Christian, Muslim or any other cult.
Humility didn't get you, Peter, where you are today.
What is the name of the social psychologist with whom you had breakfast so I can verify his/her credentials ?
I, too, dislike arrogance but I think pride is a virtue (we need self-esteem to get anything accomplished in life).
I like doubt (skeptics say, "I wonder". Cynics say, "I know").
As a cradle Anglo-Catholic & current agnostic, I disagree with your views & perspective of life.
Humility is NOT self-confidence in anybody's dictionary.
I steer clear of evangelists because their mission is to "spread their version of the good news" in an effort to convert.
Conversion has a very dubious history including the "Conversos" & "Marranos" of the 15th century Inquisition.
Likewise the sheep who followed Jim Jones to "Jonestown".
Jesus' greatest attribute, in my opinion, was not humility, but teaching by parables & metaphor, as well as the concept of doing unto others as you would like to have done to you.
4
Let's be clear. Saying that "humility is a neglected Christian virtue" is a massive understatement. People who do not at least attempt to practice the virtues exhibited by Jesus Christ are simply -- by definition -- not Christians. Jesus' instruction was "pick up your cross and follow me." Members of evangelical cults will argue otherwise (citing "grace" and pointing out the salvation is not by "works") but the truth is that many American Christians are simply not faithful to the teachings of the man they call their savior.
21
Thank you Mr. Wehrner for such a thoughtful homily examining the state and virtues of humility; a contemporary and relevant topic worthy of deep reflection and applied consideration.
17
I believe it all started with, unfortunately, the mass media-- radio, TV, the movies. Being humble does not get you very far in such media. As we got into the '80s, sports stars, movie stars, etc. kept upping the bombast and braggadocio-- and it kept working for them. That became the role model for our society and, especially, our children. Being thoughtful, kind, compassionate, humble--- who ever sees that in any of the mass media any more? Our children are never exposed to that as a role model. In the age of Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. constant self-promotion is all there is. Humility just makes you invisible--- and very lonely. And, finally, we have the unhinged orange--- a bombastic blowhard who has lied, cheated and bullied his way to the top. What a fine example for our children and our entire society! We're in big trouble. Really.
14
In the middle of all the polemics and denunciation that seem to rule our speech these days--and all the ignorance of theology in both religious and non-religious folk--I almost fell off my chair reading this encomium to Kenosis. As the opening example shows, it's much easier to ask humility of other people than of oneself. But it when it comes to the notion of self-emptying that lies behind this little essay, matters are even more difficult because that self-emptying goes well beyond the virtue of humility (honorable itself and sorely in need of practitioners) toward something else, something that requires even more outside help than humility, and something different from effort (as some Buddhists might readily acknowledge). This is tremendously ambitious to attempt in the NYT, which is usually less than hospitable to religion and--as far as I can see--wholly oblivious to the serious theological tradition in which discussions of Kenosis are developed.
3
Someone please send the haughty, arrogant and tone-deaf President a copy of this article. Perhaps the merits of thoughtful humility simply haven't occurred to him yet.
5
They wrote similar articles in the middle ages and preached it from the pulpit to the masses. It was a great way to convince them their subservience to the church was a virtue while they picked their pockets and sent them off to die in the crusades. I'll start believing humility is a virtue when I start to see successful politicians and businessmen exhibiting it on a regular basis. Until then I'll continue to view these articles as propaganda designed to convince the mass market that its a virtue to let's yourself be manipulated.
6
This confirms what I've been suspecting for some time: that the American atheists and seculars of today are the true heirs to the traditional values of Christianity. From what I can observe in my life, it is the atheists and seculars who most consistently show humility and tolerance, and arguably are among the most conscientious of citizens. Those Christians who still believe in humility would find much common ground (at least in their moral values) if they allied with the seculars.
41
Humility was an unspoken value in my family. My mother taught us humility and ingrained it into our lives. She corrected and sometimes punished us when we displayed behavior that seemed prideful or arrogant. But when I entered the business world, I found a completely different code. The rules were that a person had to display self-confidence and sometimes downright arrogance to succeed. Humility was not rewarded. Then I learned a nuance. Women and people of color were generally penalized if they displayed the amount of self-confidence that white men showed. Somehow we have to walk some invisible fine line of non-threatening self-confidence with some level of humility, but still be strong. Compare Hillary Clinton to Donald Trump in this arena. Many disliked it when Clinton acted self-confidently, but loved it when Trump did so. My point is that the need for humility is much greater in some than it is in others. For example, note all of the people in this article. What do they have in common?
12
I wouldn't say humilty has become "neglected" among modern American Christians; I'd say it's antithetical to their beliefs. They use Romans 5, 1John 3 and other cherry-picked passages to assert their "justification" and claim, as some of these modern Pharisees have, that they are "free from sin." They have become such moral relativists that they're blind to goodness: when Obama showed humility on the world stage, the Pharisees were foaming at the mouth at his "anti-American" behavior; when having the choice between a presidential candidate who has spent her entire adult life in public service, who has been a practicing Christian since childhood, who has remained married to one man through "better or worse," against a thrice-married, female assaulting, womanizer whose entire life has been devoted to self-satisfaction, self-service, self-worship and an astounding level of pride, they saw the former as "corrupt," and the latter as "good." They ridicule men like Jimmy Carter and even the Pope, while elevating dangerously prideful men like G. W. Bush and Jerry Falwell, Jr., because they are incapable of seeing good. Their morals are dictated by their politics, not the other way around. And unfortunately, the Left cedes to them this label "Christian," never challenging their moral relativity.
37
Brilliantly expressed! The 2016 election negated any and all benefits of the doubt so-called Christians might have been previously granted by generous minds.
9
Writing about humility is like talking about silence. It's undone in the very process.
13
Would that also go for writing about writing about humility? Or for my now writing about you having done that? You seem to have stepped into an infinite regression.
6
I neither crow about nor hide the fact that I am an atheist but I take exception to the writer's claim that Christians are better neighbors and citizens. As someone who votes in every election, obeys laws, makes charitable contributions of time and money, and takes an interest in the long view of our nation, I don't expect someone to give me a medal for what should be a plain responsibility. Christians need to express more humility...indeed.
38
I agree with you. I'm a little skeptical of the claims of Putnam and Campbell because I don't believe the social sciences have a methodology that can capture something like "being a good neighbor." I do think P&C deserve to be read and considered the way we would other social scientific work that tries to be interpretive about things like this. Wehner is just citing their work. Reading the comments here, I can see that he should have made it clearer what and why he was doing when he did so.
2
First, this piece has no business being published in the NYT unless they wish to start a religion section. One could argue that every major religion emphasizes humility, but all we hear about here are Jesus, Paul, and a bunch of contemporary folks the author quotes. Note not a single female mentioned. So much for that male humility, I guess no qualified women could be found to opine on the topic. Ironic since Christian men (and men of all religions) have been doing their best to keep women humble before the time of Jesus.
Second: "Christians and other religious Americans, while generally better neighbors and “more conscientious citizens than their secular counterparts,”?"
How in the name of an invisible sky creature would Wehner know this? Putnam and Campbell certainly don't either.
Third: Funny how Wehner served in three Republican administrations, but couldn't bring himself to mention the current GOP occupant of the WH. Since many prefer emoticons over words, I imagine a dictionary where there's a picture of Donald Trump under the heading "humility," in the list of antonyms. We all know how conscientious today's GOP leaders are. Taking away health care, food stamps, and every feature of the social net they can get their filthy greedy hands on. Pruitt's conscientious of the environment, Devos of education, Sessions of civil rights, Gorsuch of the plight of the commoner versus the corporation.
Hypochrists, each and every one. Jesus surely would rebuke them.
Second: "Christians and other religious Americans, while generally better neighbors and “more conscientious citizens than their secular counterparts,”?"
How in the name of an invisible sky creature would Wehner know this? Putnam and Campbell certainly don't either.
Third: Funny how Wehner served in three Republican administrations, but couldn't bring himself to mention the current GOP occupant of the WH. Since many prefer emoticons over words, I imagine a dictionary where there's a picture of Donald Trump under the heading "humility," in the list of antonyms. We all know how conscientious today's GOP leaders are. Taking away health care, food stamps, and every feature of the social net they can get their filthy greedy hands on. Pruitt's conscientious of the environment, Devos of education, Sessions of civil rights, Gorsuch of the plight of the commoner versus the corporation.
Hypochrists, each and every one. Jesus surely would rebuke them.
8
First, why doesn't this piece belong in the NYT? It piqued your interest enough to write a fairly lengthy comment. While I agree with your criticism about the "Christians and other religious Americans, while generally better neighbors and “more conscientious citizens than their secular counterparts,” statement, I found the overall message of the piece to be right on - Christians, especially American Christians, should seek out and employ some humility.
Also, in your rush to judgement you must have skipped the fifth paragraph which specifically names Trump and, in reference to him, notes the irony that "prominent Christian leaders and a record number of self-proclaimed evangelical voters supported for president a man of undisguised cruelty and unmatched narcissism."
Rather than nitpick this guy we should support his efforts to curb some of the bad behavior of his GOP Christian brethren.
Can I get an "amen?"
Also, in your rush to judgement you must have skipped the fifth paragraph which specifically names Trump and, in reference to him, notes the irony that "prominent Christian leaders and a record number of self-proclaimed evangelical voters supported for president a man of undisguised cruelty and unmatched narcissism."
Rather than nitpick this guy we should support his efforts to curb some of the bad behavior of his GOP Christian brethren.
Can I get an "amen?"
11
While I agree that humility is important in civil society as a prerequisite to any rational discussion, I found the suggestion that we should expect humility from religion utterly ridiculous. Religion is, by definition, an ideology. A religious person chooses to believe a particular dogma for whatever reason, but its rationality is not the criterion for that choice.
Ideologies are devoid of humility, which is what makes them so dangerous. Adherents to any particular ideology are no longer capable of learning anything. Their minds are forever closed to any new information that contradicts their ideology.
An op-ed about the benefits of humility to a civil society would have been a good choice for an Easter/Passover message. Putting humility into a religious context was an intellectual dead end.
Ideologies are devoid of humility, which is what makes them so dangerous. Adherents to any particular ideology are no longer capable of learning anything. Their minds are forever closed to any new information that contradicts their ideology.
An op-ed about the benefits of humility to a civil society would have been a good choice for an Easter/Passover message. Putting humility into a religious context was an intellectual dead end.
21
Religion is not, by definition, an ideology. It is for many people more of a practice. Not a few Jewish thinkers think of religion this way. Catherine Pickstock, a Christian theologian, thinks that theology is an interpretation of liturgy, a ritual practice. I would venture that you would find many thinkers in many religious traditions who have very sophisticated understandings of the complexity of the relation between practice and belief, or practice and "dogma." And quite a few who believe that practice is primary and that "ideology" distorts even the more intellectualized aspects of religion.
9
The distinction between ritual and dogma escapes me. A distinction without a difference. Rituals performed as memorialized by dogma...that's religion as I experienced it. Neither ritual nor dogma is consistent with "sophisticated understanding" in the tribes created by religious doctrine.
1
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
13
Awesome. While commenters will feel compelled to point out who is not humble (myself included I guess), it is good to remember that humility is something where you focus on your own behavior, thoughts, and feelings.
9
yes, criminal levels of hypocrisy and immorality should never be questioned when "christians" are practicing them.
3
While I agree with much of the author's views on the virtue of humility, in modern America the two presidential examples that readily come to mind are Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter. Both are incredibly gifted men, who have selflessly given both in their public and private lives, and should be exemplars to young men everywhere.
However, and of course, the GOP and right-wing have used every opportunity to denigrate and caricature both men and their accomplishments. And yet, as a testament to the power of humility, the public opinion for both men continues to rise - to the consternation of the right.
While I agree with his sentiments on the beauty of humility, maybe his message should be to his fellow Repub's to stop this denigration of many accomplished liberal thinkers, and work with them to accomplish the nation's needed business. The GOP can only act as servants of the nation, if they agree to serve all of the people's interests rather than those of the 1%.
However, and of course, the GOP and right-wing have used every opportunity to denigrate and caricature both men and their accomplishments. And yet, as a testament to the power of humility, the public opinion for both men continues to rise - to the consternation of the right.
While I agree with his sentiments on the beauty of humility, maybe his message should be to his fellow Repub's to stop this denigration of many accomplished liberal thinkers, and work with them to accomplish the nation's needed business. The GOP can only act as servants of the nation, if they agree to serve all of the people's interests rather than those of the 1%.
20
Humility goes against our grain, the perceived American character and our military presence abroad. Might Makes Right. As anyone outside the US knows, Americans are arrogant, brash, aggressive, chest-thumping, narcissistic, self-proclaimed "saviors of the world", entering into wars abroad to force others to play our game with bribes or bombs.
Psychologists have shown that we believe and follow arrogant people more than mild-mannered, humble ones.
Good luck pressing humility on the American people. Everyone admires Steve Jobs and Jay Z. They admire narcissists.
Psychologists have shown that we believe and follow arrogant people more than mild-mannered, humble ones.
Good luck pressing humility on the American people. Everyone admires Steve Jobs and Jay Z. They admire narcissists.
9
You're posting from California, are you an American? You refer to Americans in the third person, so I'm unsure.
I ask because your scathing summary of how you say every non-American thinks of us leaves very little room for grace, compassion, intelligence, humor, optimism, and tolerance, and many other traits that my European, Indian, Canadian, Indonesian, and South American friends tell me we exhibit. I agree that people get it wrong sometimes, but you paint a very broad and negative image of your fellow citizens. It saddens me to see other Americans so quick to loathe our society.
Instead of getting on a soapbox and patting yourself on the back for tearing your neighbors down, make a positive difference by being the opposite of all the traits you just listed.
I ask because your scathing summary of how you say every non-American thinks of us leaves very little room for grace, compassion, intelligence, humor, optimism, and tolerance, and many other traits that my European, Indian, Canadian, Indonesian, and South American friends tell me we exhibit. I agree that people get it wrong sometimes, but you paint a very broad and negative image of your fellow citizens. It saddens me to see other Americans so quick to loathe our society.
Instead of getting on a soapbox and patting yourself on the back for tearing your neighbors down, make a positive difference by being the opposite of all the traits you just listed.
11
The definition of Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
Ordering me to get off my soapbox? Telling me not to "pat myself on the back" and then assuming you know me?
Assuming you know my heritage from a post on the NY Times? Sounds like a very American response to me.
Ordering me to get off my soapbox? Telling me not to "pat myself on the back" and then assuming you know me?
Assuming you know my heritage from a post on the NY Times? Sounds like a very American response to me.
5
Both "sides" have reasons to feel confidence, and reasons to feel humility. Jesus said we should not be concerned about the splinter in our brother/sister's eye, but the log in ours. He named the partial nature of our perceptual possibilities. We are not God. We may be called to see as we see, but simultaneously we must realize we wander around half-blind. Only Love sees all.
7
The author should have cited several studies that might show possible evidence, possibly, that being humble makes you live longer and activates more mitochondrial DNA or rewires neural connections more effectively than shopping, thereby making you live longer; or something about how jogging or high intensity work outs and eating vegan paleo, when combined with humility, staves off dementia and makes you live longer. Being humble, in and of itself, like jogging or eating vegan paleo is pretty joyless, unless there's payback at the front end, which is what life here in the USA is all about. MAGA.
5
If "Christians and other religious Americans" are "generally better neighbors" and "more conscientious citizens than their secular counterparts" then why did they overwhelmingly vote to elect a man who makes clear in all words and action that he wants to rip families, neighborhoods, communities, and indeed entire cities apart if they shelter individuals who were not born in the United States? Do "better neighbors" support an attorney general who calls brown skinned Mexican immigrants "filth"? Do "better neighbors" support taking basic healthcare away from 24 million people and raising rates on their sick and poor neighbors?
If your Christian friends are these "better neighbors" you keep talking about, I'm ready to have some worse ones.
If your Christian friends are these "better neighbors" you keep talking about, I'm ready to have some worse ones.
60
Would be interested to see this delivered to Wall Street where any sense of humility or humbleness was strangled or beat to death long ago.
It has become defacto law that the Gods of Wall Street must never be made to feel anything less than the PILLAR of civilization.
Let us see some humility on the part of those whose reckless behavior hurt so many.
Won't be holding my breath.
It has become defacto law that the Gods of Wall Street must never be made to feel anything less than the PILLAR of civilization.
Let us see some humility on the part of those whose reckless behavior hurt so many.
Won't be holding my breath.
12
Today Easter Sunday we left church (Catholic) for the parking lot. Tight maneuvering and a long wait, glanced to my right and an elderly couple (I’m old too) approached their car. Back bumper sticker “TRUMP” Make America Great Again. Right then my Christen Humility went out the window! Now I’m mumbling to myself some not so nice thoughts. My beautiful wife sees the sticker and just stares at it. She has such a difficult time understanding how anyone could vote for that man and have any sense of morality.
I forgot about the incident until I read this op-ed. There is no one, nowhere that could satisfactorily explain to me with any logic, that a humble Christian or not, why Trump should be President of the United States. Ever!
I forgot about the incident until I read this op-ed. There is no one, nowhere that could satisfactorily explain to me with any logic, that a humble Christian or not, why Trump should be President of the United States. Ever!
73
I stopped reading this piece on humility when I read: Christians and other religious Americans, while generally better neighbors and “more conscientious citizens than their secular counterparts."...... I'll avoid this guy's commentaries in the future.
69
Hi, Barry -
Wehner was quoting from a book, and it is by no means certain that he agrees with that sentiment. The rest of the quote is that Christians and other religious Americans tend to be "less tolerant of dissent than secular Americans." He then goes on to point out that "certitude can easily become an enemy of tolerance."
I frequently have problems with Wehner, but always find him interesting.
Cheers.
Wehner was quoting from a book, and it is by no means certain that he agrees with that sentiment. The rest of the quote is that Christians and other religious Americans tend to be "less tolerant of dissent than secular Americans." He then goes on to point out that "certitude can easily become an enemy of tolerance."
I frequently have problems with Wehner, but always find him interesting.
Cheers.
3
I have to agree with you Barry. Talk about a blind spot, such egregious arrogance in the midst of a piece on humility. Once again forced to laugh to keep from crying.
3
Good point! That line stopped me too. If half the self-righteous people who call themselves "Christians" actually lived by the teachings it would be a dramatically different world, and we wouldn't have an enemy in the White House.
7
I have been involved in the non-profit world, professionally and as a volunteer, for many years. Too often, I have seen people engage in charitable work for their own self-aggrandizement, wanting to be admired and receive gratitude, rather than prioritizing the needs of those they are supposed to be helping. Not being a Christian myself, I would say that humility is neglected not just by some Christians, but by some people of all or no faiths.
36
Regrettably, daily life, professional existence, and political existence have become steadily more corporatist, with more and more emphasis placed on the importance of entrepreneurism and self-promotion in order to ' succeed ' today - very much humility in their work or political demeanor will leave the average American as road kill in the Darwinian Utopia exalted/glorified by GOP'er leaders and bailed out Wall Streeters who set the political/moral tone of everyday biz in this country.
Example: How 'bout that Wells Fargo; aren't they just peaches ? Aren't we all glad we saved their bacon ?
Would that Mr. Wehner would join efforts to reward the humility of which he writes, which would flow from campaign finance reform, well-regulated capitalism, etc., concepts he has helped his party fight against for so very long.
Djt is fully emblematic of where Wehner's party has led us - to historic low ebbs in decency, public discourse, and respect for fellow Americans.
p.s. - Jeffress' comment was jaw dropping at the time, and fully illustrates our point.
Example: How 'bout that Wells Fargo; aren't they just peaches ? Aren't we all glad we saved their bacon ?
Would that Mr. Wehner would join efforts to reward the humility of which he writes, which would flow from campaign finance reform, well-regulated capitalism, etc., concepts he has helped his party fight against for so very long.
Djt is fully emblematic of where Wehner's party has led us - to historic low ebbs in decency, public discourse, and respect for fellow Americans.
p.s. - Jeffress' comment was jaw dropping at the time, and fully illustrates our point.
15
Do as I say, not as I do.
Christians in this country showed me the qualities they hold dear with their votes during the last election. In my mind President Trump embodies 100% of all Christian values, and everything they hold to be true and precious.
Christians in this country showed me the qualities they hold dear with their votes during the last election. In my mind President Trump embodies 100% of all Christian values, and everything they hold to be true and precious.
27
The fact that in your mind Trump embodies 100% of Christian values is irrelevant. You are choosing to decide Trump will represent Christianity to you to confirm your bias. The question is how well does Mr. Trump line up with what Jesus taught - not very well. Dismiss Trump if you wish, but not Christ on the basis of Trump. As to why so many Christians voted for him there are a couple reasons. One, many who claim to be Christians are not. Two, Christians vote on litmus test issues (e.g. abortion) just like other people.
7
"Christians and other religious Americans...tend to be “less tolerant of dissent than secular Americans.”
Mr. Wehner, this hypocrisy is manifest in political bloc widely known as the "evangelical Christians." It is race-based; it deifies financial and material gain; it pre-supposes the virtue(s) of what is known as political "conservatism;" it is motivated by the hegemony of non-whites, women, immigrants, the poor and other marginalized segments of society, all under the rubric of (take your pick) Manifest Destiny or God's Will. This blanket of loathing that the Christian Right throws over the remnants of society is completely lacking in humility. The greatest example, which you quote, of "Jesus "emptying Himself" is blindingly absent from the acid worldview of the Right.
Republicans, since at least Richard Nixon, have covered themselves with the false glory of (white) virtue, of being the only right, the only good, the only visible decency in American life. White America trashed humility as it bought the sell, their greedy pride revealed in the two disastrous Ronald Reagan presidencies in which race and class were elevated into the signature political references of American political life--then and now.
Mr. Wehner, it's impossible to be humble, to follow your Lord and Savior when you're totally invested in your tribe, your history, your culture. The evil of pride found purchase in genocide (Native Americans) and slavery (Africans).
Humility is hypocrisy's opposite.
Mr. Wehner, this hypocrisy is manifest in political bloc widely known as the "evangelical Christians." It is race-based; it deifies financial and material gain; it pre-supposes the virtue(s) of what is known as political "conservatism;" it is motivated by the hegemony of non-whites, women, immigrants, the poor and other marginalized segments of society, all under the rubric of (take your pick) Manifest Destiny or God's Will. This blanket of loathing that the Christian Right throws over the remnants of society is completely lacking in humility. The greatest example, which you quote, of "Jesus "emptying Himself" is blindingly absent from the acid worldview of the Right.
Republicans, since at least Richard Nixon, have covered themselves with the false glory of (white) virtue, of being the only right, the only good, the only visible decency in American life. White America trashed humility as it bought the sell, their greedy pride revealed in the two disastrous Ronald Reagan presidencies in which race and class were elevated into the signature political references of American political life--then and now.
Mr. Wehner, it's impossible to be humble, to follow your Lord and Savior when you're totally invested in your tribe, your history, your culture. The evil of pride found purchase in genocide (Native Americans) and slavery (Africans).
Humility is hypocrisy's opposite.
45
So glad you wrote this. I've been sputtering since I read how "Christians and other religious Americans, while generally better neighbors and 'more conscientious citizens than their secular counterparts'", and was working on de-sputtering enough to express myself without spitting, but you did it for me. Thanks. I can calm my secular self down now.
13
Secure people are humble. They have a good sense of their blessings and skills, and they are grateful for them and do not have to compete and prove themselves to others.
Insecure people are arrogant. They always try to "one-up" themselves against others and are constantly looking for the limelight and *outward* recognition instead of being grateful and secure inwardly.
Insecure people are arrogant. They always try to "one-up" themselves against others and are constantly looking for the limelight and *outward* recognition instead of being grateful and secure inwardly.
61
This is the rare article where I valued all the author's points. It is a great message. Be humble so you can serve others, so you can learn from others, so you can be saved from yourself. Thank you.
26
When individuals, communities, or nations (think Russia or USA) tell everyone how great they are, such self-exhortation is obviously nothing more than a sign of weakness and insecurity. Self-praise is no praise. The greatest individuals, communities, nations never have to tell anyone how great they are but simply allow others to bestow greatness. As the author rightly notes, we need humility to be seen and understood as the strength it is.
11
Last fall, before the November election, Mr. Wehner spoke at the Christian university where I teach political science. His speech tcontained some of the ideas in this column, namely his dismay at the support among evangelicals for Trump. I appreciate his naming humility in this column as a necessary virtue among Christians. However, it is white evangelicals who supported Trump, not Black evangelicals, and I do not think that all Christians need to learn humility to the same degree. Sometimes this message of humility can be used to silence certain groups within the Christian community. Because of past and present injustices some groups within Christianity need to speak up and march and resist. The message of humility must be contextualized.
39
I don't understand how humility can exist in a belief system that demands complete, undoubting faith: We're right and everyone else is wrong.
As a scientist, my professional life has been a protracted and sustained exercise in humility: Even nature's simplest secrets are very hard to reveal. I won't even begin to opine on how all of this came about, or what the grand purpose is. It's well above my pay grade--above all our pay grades, though msny don't realise this.
Beyond any religion or philosophy I've studied, a scientific education is the most compelling venue to appreciate the moral virtues of doubt and humility. It's also done a decent job of revealing a few truths along the way.
As a scientist, my professional life has been a protracted and sustained exercise in humility: Even nature's simplest secrets are very hard to reveal. I won't even begin to opine on how all of this came about, or what the grand purpose is. It's well above my pay grade--above all our pay grades, though msny don't realise this.
Beyond any religion or philosophy I've studied, a scientific education is the most compelling venue to appreciate the moral virtues of doubt and humility. It's also done a decent job of revealing a few truths along the way.
66
Thomas said, "Lord I believe, help thou my disbelief".....John 20
Any beliefs worth believing should hold up to scrutiny, I believe.
Any beliefs worth believing should hold up to scrutiny, I believe.
4
How can humility exist in a worldview that demands 100% faith and no doubt? One, many Christians grapple with doubt. More importantly, you can know you are right about something and the other person wrong but still be humble. You realize that even though you know the truth you are still prone to sin. You realize the person who is wrong might have some stellar virtues you cannot hope to match. You are aware of the fact that God loves the other person just as much as you.If you are a scientist, you know a great deal more about certain subjects than many people you meet, but I am sure you do not feel Superior to all of them.
2
Thank you. With no church today (too busy, too crowded), no Easter egg hunt (all the children are grown, no grandchildren yet), no family that has any particular interest in spiritual talk (all engineers and mathematicians), and no huge meal (all vegans), I hoped to find a word that took me deep and found it here. Too bad most who really need to get pulled under, hold their breath, and have a come to Jesus moment won't read this fine reminder of what Christ taught us.
24
surprise surprise.. A NYT article on humility and one comment.. Everyone must be withholding their humble opinion , exception Socrates ..
6
That's because his cynicism never rests, not even on Sunday. A work ethic not even God can match.
2
"Socrates" feels free to wield judgments on others, failing to realize the fragility of any human being's point of view. He makes me sad, as he is so unlike the name he tries to appropriate.
3
What can be expected of someone who takes Socrates as his screen name yet is so foolish as to claim as his avatar the Buddha?
4
Some of the most powerful people I have met, in martial arts, business, politics, were kind, gentle people. They had "been there, done that," and didn't have to prove anything to anyone. To quote Margaret Thatcher "Power is like being a lady, if you have to tell someone you are, you aren't."
43
The Democrats know they don't have all the answers but the Republicans, despite all evidence to the contrary, tell us they do.
Humility is one thing, denial, another.
Humility is one thing, denial, another.
65
Humility is a mistake in the American business environment. We punish it.
I lived in Japan for 8 years, where humility is still a virtue. It didn't come easily to me, but I must have absorbed something because when I first got back to the US, people would ask, "Did you learn to speak Japanese?" and I would say, as a Japanese person would when asked the same about English, "A little." More than one American immediately corrected my answer. "So you don't speak any Japanese." It took me a long time back in this country to just say "Yes" and it still feels like unearned braggadocio. But that's what we do here.
I always tell Japanese friends, when dealing with American companies, to be the kind of braggart they see in American movies. "Really?" they ask, disbelieving. But it's true. Americans will come up to you in a social setting and immediately list the most important parts of their resume. They do it because that's the culture here and to be respected by business, you have to be a braggart. Trump is not at all out of character for many American business people; it's the style that works, and like them, he has been rewarded for it.
I lived in Japan for 8 years, where humility is still a virtue. It didn't come easily to me, but I must have absorbed something because when I first got back to the US, people would ask, "Did you learn to speak Japanese?" and I would say, as a Japanese person would when asked the same about English, "A little." More than one American immediately corrected my answer. "So you don't speak any Japanese." It took me a long time back in this country to just say "Yes" and it still feels like unearned braggadocio. But that's what we do here.
I always tell Japanese friends, when dealing with American companies, to be the kind of braggart they see in American movies. "Really?" they ask, disbelieving. But it's true. Americans will come up to you in a social setting and immediately list the most important parts of their resume. They do it because that's the culture here and to be respected by business, you have to be a braggart. Trump is not at all out of character for many American business people; it's the style that works, and like them, he has been rewarded for it.
46
Sad but true.
13
It just seems puzzling that anyone could believe that the most reasonable explanation for an empty tomb is that the person therein came back from the dead. As a metaphor or myth it's pretty good and has been used for thousands of years before the Christian one. But it's a poor excuse for a true story.
8
Your argument is reductionist. Belief in the resurrection is predicated on much more than the empty tomb. Read a good apologetic work ("The Case for Christ", the book not the movie) to weigh the surprisingly good arguments for the resurrection - these arguments and others convinced me, a Reform Jew, that Christianity was true.
4
Good article. As the Buddhist teacher Pema Chodren said: "Don't try to change people. Just be kind." People will change -- that's not the problem -- but trying to dominate how they change is a kind of arrogance and aggression; it assumes that you know best. Just engage with people in dialogue, and -- who knows? -- you may find that you are the one that changes the most profoundly.
18
Tasty Easter word salad served up by another shill from the Greed Over People Prosperity Gospel Church that can't stand humble universal healthcare, especially for 'the least among us'.
Matthew 27
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Thanks for your Grand Old Phoniness, Pastor Wehner.
Let us pray.... for more of your good old- fashioned Grand Old Poverty....while shredding the safety net into religious fairy dust.
Christ may have risen, but the Republican Party told that thoughtful socialist to sit down and shut up.
Matthew 27
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
Thanks for your Grand Old Phoniness, Pastor Wehner.
Let us pray.... for more of your good old- fashioned Grand Old Poverty....while shredding the safety net into religious fairy dust.
Christ may have risen, but the Republican Party told that thoughtful socialist to sit down and shut up.
86
You made my Easter, Socrates!
18
I rarely reply or comment on websites, but I must say, Socrates, your comments are insulting and inflammatory. It seems you have some pent-up, repressed anger issues with either Christians or the Republican part (which are, mind you, completely unrelated...).
Ms. Wehner's piece is thoughtful and meant to serve as a wake up call to lukewarm Christians, and to a lesser degree the general population, that humility is not only critical but unfortunately absent in much of our society. To insult him and sarcastically thank him for his "Grand Old Phoniness" when his piece only encourages us to be more Christ-like, suggests you either a) believe we should be LESS, not more, humble, or b) you suspect he is a hypocrite, likely for no good reason other than him being a Christian, which is in and of it self judgmental and hypocritical of you.
Further, you likely haven't the slightest idea on whether he is a Republican or a Democrat.
Similarly, to judge the church as a whole who "can't stand humble universal healthcare" is uninformed and naive and makes you no different to those suggesting a ban on persons from particular countries due to their religion or other similar minded racists.
Lastly, should your anger issues stem from Christians, Christ said to follow him...not other Christians, or the Christian religion, or the church, or pastors. He said to follow him by living humbly, or to quote Pete Wehner, to become self-forgetting.
Ms. Wehner's piece is thoughtful and meant to serve as a wake up call to lukewarm Christians, and to a lesser degree the general population, that humility is not only critical but unfortunately absent in much of our society. To insult him and sarcastically thank him for his "Grand Old Phoniness" when his piece only encourages us to be more Christ-like, suggests you either a) believe we should be LESS, not more, humble, or b) you suspect he is a hypocrite, likely for no good reason other than him being a Christian, which is in and of it self judgmental and hypocritical of you.
Further, you likely haven't the slightest idea on whether he is a Republican or a Democrat.
Similarly, to judge the church as a whole who "can't stand humble universal healthcare" is uninformed and naive and makes you no different to those suggesting a ban on persons from particular countries due to their religion or other similar minded racists.
Lastly, should your anger issues stem from Christians, Christ said to follow him...not other Christians, or the Christian religion, or the church, or pastors. He said to follow him by living humbly, or to quote Pete Wehner, to become self-forgetting.
21
Interestingly you are not recognizing your own lack of humility. You are certain you and your political tribe are less faulted than those with whom you disagree. I say this though I do not support the Republican efforts to roll back health care.
7