Few things are more uncomfortable than being pressured to choose sides in a conflict that you’re not a part of.
It can happen at the individual level when family or friends have a disagreement.
It also happens at a societal level when authorities are pushing for war.
In either case, we’re likely to encounter people making passionate arguments and demanding that we choose which side we’re on—right now.
The pressure can be amped up with vivid stories or images that are intended to cement how wrong the opposition is and the unquestionable righteousness of those who are pressuring us.
If we don’t agree with them and choose their side, the implication is that we are a coward or a monster for siding with the enemy.
But what we’re being offered is a classic false dilemma.
We’re given two choices as if absolutely no other choices exist.
And the pressure to make a choice—NOW—is intended to get us to commit without stopping to think.
It’s easy to see why so many people fall prey to this tactic.
To avoid being trapped in this false dilemma, we must recognize when it’s being used on us.
When we start to feel unsure of ourselves and joining the crowd appears to be the safer route, that’s usually when we’re being manipulated.
This is when we must develop the habit of pulling back mentally and taking time to think about our alternatives rather than making a hasty commitment because we’re uncomfortable.
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