The Right Halo

Division and polarization seem to be the norm today. This is why it has become more important than ever to make decisions based on our conscience rather than subscribing blindly to the prevailing narratives. I came across a wonderful book that really gave me a new perspective of acting inside of our conscience, rather than of our world.

In Adam Russel Taylor’s book, "The Road to Peace," he highlights the need for individuals, especially Christians, to be aware of the cognitive biases and psychological mechanisms that contribute to this division. He points out that our brains are often hardwired for division, with a flight-or-fight response that pushes us to see the world in black and white and confirm our pre-existing worldviews.

Taylor explains that one mechanism is confirmation bias, where we only accept information that aligns with our existing beliefs and disregard anything that challenges them. The other most common mechanism is what he calls the halo effect. This occurs when we strongly identify with something or someone, making it challenging to hear any criticism, as it feels like a personal attack.

Reading about these made me wonder what Jesus would be telling us right now. As a Catholic wife and mom, I feel Jesus would likely encourage us to approach these tendencies with humility, openness, and a willingness to confront our own biases first. Jesus always seemed to emphasize the importance of seeking truth, justice, and love over personal preferences or selfish desires.

Jesus would challenge our confirmation bias by reminding us to be self-aware and honest, recognizing that our own biases can cloud our judgment and prevent us from becoming a better Christian. It wasn’t that Jesus didn’t call for radical transformation, He did, it’s just that He demonstrated the importance of listening to different perspectives and engaging in dialogue when confronted with new evidence or insights. The gift of reconciliation is the mic drop here.

The halo effect, really? My immediate reaction was, is there any halo greater than that of Jesus but then I leaned into reality and realized, yes, I do that in areas I shouldn’t. Jesus would likely remind us that our ultimate identity is found in God, rather than in any individual or belief. He taught that humility and self-awareness are crucial to avoid becoming overly attached to external identities or personal ideologies. Jesus valued authenticity and honesty, knowing that our growth and transformation come from owning our imperfections and vulnerabilities.

Our Catholic Church is a place where people from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints can come together and have fellowship grounded in their shared Christian values, after all, Catholic does mean Universal. We are to use our voice to defend and define dignity. The body of every person matters.

"The Road to Peace," can give us a glimpse into what our world would look like, or even how our lives would change, just by leaning into the beauty of our conscience when making decisions, before judging others and in relationships with our loved ones. We might change and we just might help create a more peaceful and just society along the way.

My prayer for you today is that you are surrounded by those that view their decisions in the right halo, that they show you an endless love and understanding of vulnerability and empathy and that you are set free of any division that separates you. May you feel the peace God has for you today.

Together in prayer. Hand in hand.

Disclaimer: This post was based on my personal interpretation of Adam Taylor's book. Individual opinions may vary and readers are encouraged to explore the original texts for comprehensive understanding. This reference does not claim to represent the author's views or intentions. This was only written to foster thoughtful discussion rather than definitive judgments.