Is Passion Justified?

At this point, it shouldn’t surprise anyone when I say that I enjoy writing.  It’s a hobby I’ve had for quite a few years now, and I can safely say I’ve grown to love it.  I’m not sure, though, if I’d go so far as to say that I’ve developed a passion for it.  When people start talking like that, listeners tend to start raising an eyebrow.

I can’t say I blame them.  More often than not, people who say they are passionate about something, whether it be a film series, a music genre, or even just a hobby, tend to get involved in some very heated arguments with those who feel differently about it.  At their worst, these arguments can escalate into acts of violence.  This, unfortunately, is a common occurrence among those passionate about their religious or political views.

Who or what is to blame for all this?  Have we really gotten to the point where we can say that passion itself is no longer justified?  I’m sure this kind of assertion would enrage about 70% of the population-- not to mention about 90% of the online crowd.  Everyone, after all, has something that they especially enjoy, and many people can do so harmlessly.

So where do we draw the line?

One of the great things about having a passion for something is the spirit of inclusion.  This is why people on the Internet are extremely passionate about their interests, because they can find other people who share their points of view.  Thus, they feel as though they’re now a part of something bigger, and they get a strong sense of involvement.  This is especially true for the people who enjoy things that, when they were younger, most of their peers would look at as “uncool” or “nerdy,” like sci-fi films or fantasy games.  Finding others who share these interests could give them a sense of belonging that they may not have experienced before.

So where do the problems arise?  There are a couple of ways:  First, being able to share their passions with others could make people feel more powerful.  As the old saying goes, there’s strength in numbers, and even though they wouldn’t be physically stronger (unless the passion is exercising), they may start feeling like they can “take on the world.”  Unfortunately, there are more than a few people who simply don’t know how to handle such feelings of power properly.  They may tend to lash out at those who don’t share their passions just for the sake of being a bully, viewing them as weaker or inferior, and showing off their strength.

Second, at the other end of the spectrum, there are people who tend to get extremely defensive about their passions.  People who gain a strong sense of involvement, as I said, feel like they’re a part of something bigger.  At the same time, though, they may start feeling like their passions have become a part of them.  Therefore, if someone criticizes their interests, they might interpret that as a personal attack.  A statement such as “Your interest sucks!” would be construed as “I hate you and everyone who thinks like you!”  Naturally, someone on the receiving end of such a comment would not take it lightly.

Given all this, is it even possible to justify having a passion for anything?  I would say it comes down to another old saying, “Pick your battles.”  We need to take a serious look at the things we’re passionate about and ask ourselves, “Is this really worth fighting for?”  If you enjoy a certain genre of films, music, or games to the point where it becomes a passion for you, then it’s commendable that you found something that strikes a chord.  But the thing to realize is that it’s still just an opinion, and not everyone will share it.  You can explain why this interest means so much to you, but your words won’t be well-received if they come across as an advertisement.  If some guy was trying to sell you something against your will, would you want to hear him out?

People who are passionate about religious or political issues need to tread especially lightly.  Again, you can explain to others why you feel the way you do, but you need to be just as accepting if they have a different opinion to avoid escalating the matter.  Many people accuse the religious of being too fanatic about their beliefs, and that they’re the ones who incite violent attacks.  Here’s my philosophy about that-- and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way-- people who believe that violence is an acceptable way to defend their religion don’t fully understand what their religion is about.  These issues are certainly worth defending, as long as it’s in a civilized manner.

Then again, there are passions that are always worth fighting for.  Going all the way back to the dawn of civilization, the passion that a person feels for a loved one is especially strong.  In a healthy personal relationship, the people involved become a metaphorical part of each other.  So fighting to defend a loved one has been as universally accepted as self-defense, because in a lot of ways, it is.

So is passion justified?  Well, I would say that we're all enthusiastic about something to some extent.  Maybe you know where the red candle is located in The Legend of Zelda, maybe you know the capital of Indonesia, maybe you know who won Super Bowl XIV, maybe you know Pinkie Pie's middle name, or maybe you know what Ashton Kutcher had for breakfast on April 7, 2006.  Regardless, it all comes down to how you conduct yourself.  It's always nice to share your enthusiasm with other people, but just remember that having those people return your feelings is a privilege, not a right.