Out to Prove Ones Sanity

Recently I heard an interesting anecdote, maybe a parable, that reality promptly proved valid. It reads as follows.

A man had been held in a mental institute for fifteen years. Eventually, through good behavior and improvement during his sessions with a psychologist, the man was granted his freedom. Not dull, this man knew that once he entered the world at large, he would be judged poorly for his lengthy internment in a mental hospital. The impending judgment bothered the man greatly. In the weeks prior to his release, the man considered various options or methods he could employ to prove, undeniably, his complete sanity. Upon careful consideration, the man decided that upon his release he would express a confirmed truth. Once the world knew he understood truth, then no one would deny his sanity.

The day came and the man left. Having little money, he began to walk to the nearest train station. The streets on the way were crowded. In the middle of a particularly thick cluster of people near the busiest intersection, he decided to prove his sanity.

And shouted at the top of his lungs, "The world is round!"

Those nearest looked at him like he was crazy.

Thus ends the story.

A few days after I heard this story, I came across an individuals website. This individual claimed to be a Christian, and, in step with their perceived duty to enlighten the world, they viciously attacked anyone expressing contrary views. The individual made copious use of both profanity and bible quotations, mixed with libel and judgment, to spread their brand of the gospel. Now, I question nearly all of their proclaimed theology, but I question the method of persuasion even more. They are like the man in the story, only instead of yelling, "The world is round!" they declares it flat. What possible good will it do to present truth if it is packaged so carelessly that no one pays it any attention? Some people, like the individual on the internet and the man in the story, are really out of step with reality.