引言

    在现代社会里，人们的生活节奏快慢各有不同，对有限选择下社交媒体的规范使用和人们的冷漠态度使得有效交流变得更加困难，自媒体加快了人们表达自我的进程但也拉开了人与人之间对共同价值观共鸣的距离，许多人尽量避免表达自己的观点，更是缺乏批判性思维，这不仅影响个人成长，也阻碍了社会和谐进步。本文探讨了如何通过教育改革、公民意识培养和个人行动来促进‘好友’间的有效交流，下面是一些具体的探讨。

一、历史与文化的影响

    根植于两千多年文明的儒家文化强调集体利益与和谐，导致个人权利和表达自由的弱化。在这种背景下，人们更倾向于遵守权威和集体意志，而非独立思考，即便会有‘灵光一现’也很快会被‘少数服从多数’的理念压倒。虽然儒家重视道德教育，但在现代社会中，儒家文化几乎成了‘中庸’、‘退缩不前’的代名词，它需要结合基督教的爱与宽恕来平衡个人与集体的关系。

二、历代以来的皇权统治

    2000多年的皇权统治带来了根深蒂固的影响，渗入到骨子里并形成了一套严密的社会控制机制，从心理、生理和系统保障上抑制了独立思考和表达意愿的能力。历史上反抗者通常遭受严厉的惩罚，这种惩罚不仅影响个人，还波及家庭和社区，导致普遍对反抗心存畏惧。

三、现代社会的因素

    新技术使得大数据AI可以更高效地规范人们使用现代汉语，人们不用担心说‘错话’，甚至不用担心‘意识方向’有误。社交平台的严格审查使得人们在发表意见时更加通俗易懂，经过大数据梳理的文章不用再担心有什么错谬。在长期的语言规范环境下，人们学会了自查自纠，慢慢忘记了想要表达的思想，讨论空间越来越集中于不敏感的区域，无形中避免了各种麻烦，人们有了更多的时间去关注家长里短。

四、社会结构

    虽然中国文化传统上重视集体，但现代社会的个人主义和功利主义逐渐兴起。人们更关注自身眼前利益，忽视波及后代的公共责任；朋友圈中的社交关系往往是表面的，人们更多是以功利为导向维持关系，而非基于共同价值观和社会责任感。

五、批判性思维的缺失

    长期的科考应试教育忽视了批判性思维的培养，学生更多是机械记忆和标准答案的应对，缺乏独立思考和质疑能力，直到亲历‘养家糊口’时才意识到所学非所需，就像好多司机在驾校的学习的套路一般。教育中缺乏公开辩论和讨论的机会，学生在成长过程中很少有机会练习和发展批判性思维。

如何做？

一、教育改革

    在教育体系中引入更多的辩论、讨论和批判性思维的训练，鼓励学生独立思考和表达。教育系统应提供更多元化的教育内容，包括哲学、逻辑学等课程，帮助学生全面发展。

二、公民意识培养

    通过社区活动和公民教育，增强人们对公共事务的参与意识和责任感，这是人与人之间增加关爱的关键一步；同时，鼓励媒体和公众监督，增加社会事件的透明度和问责机制。

三、个人行动

    主动获取多方面的信息（系统的学习，而非刷短视频），有时间可以浏览社交App里好友们‘在看’或‘点赞’的文章，关注自己的‘好友’都在看什么类型的信息，增强对社会事件的全面理解和分析能力，同时在安全的前提下，勇于表达自己的观点，培养独立思考和批判性思维的风格，远离‘岁月静好’、‘独善其身’的思想，避免堕落。

四、基督教在现代社会中的作用

    教会作为基督在地上的身体应有明确的态度，现代基督徒应学会将理性与信仰结合，既尊重传统文化，又保持理性的批判性思维，避免盲从和极端行为，在生活中实践爱与宽恕的原则，关爱他人，珍惜生命，以积极的态度面对生活中的挑战。

五、引导子女树立正确价值观

    在儒释道文化土壤中成长的基督徒，应通过圣经的教导和言传身教，为子女树立正确的价值观、培养独立思考和批判性思维能力做榜样。遇事不盲从是批判性思维的关键，基督徒应学会独立思考，质疑不合理的传统和观念，依靠圣经和神的引导做出明智的选择。耶稣教导我们：“你们要谨慎，免得有人迷惑你们。”（马太福音24:4）

面对社会灰点的态度

一、关注社会正义

    基督徒应关注社会正义问题，积极参与社会进步议题。圣经中教导我们要“行公义，好怜悯，存谦卑的心”（弥迦书6:8）。这意味着我们要对社会灰点现象保持敏感，并采取实际行动帮助那些被蒙羞和受苦的人。

二、非暴力途径沟通

    面对社会灰点，基督徒应倡导非暴力途径，通过和平的方式表达诉求。耶稣说：“你们当爱你们的仇敌，为那逼迫你们的祷告。”（马太福音5:44）非暴力途径不仅体现了基督教的爱与宽恕精神，也有助于维护社会的和平与稳定。

三、教育和启发

    基督徒（教会）应通过教育和启发，帮助更多人认识到社会灰点的生活根源，并鼓励他们采取积极态度应对，而不是将自己的信仰‘离群索居’。使徒保罗在《罗马书》12:2中说：“不要效法这个世界，只要心意更新而变化。”这提醒我们要不断学习和思考，以更新的心态面对社会问题。

结语

    基督教的教义和价值观可以在现代社会中发挥重要作用，通过教育改革、公民意识培养、个人行动等方式，促进社会的健康发展。基督徒和教会bishop应关注社会正义，倡导非暴力途径沟通，教育和启发他人，积极响应国家号召，为实现更加公正和谐的社会而努力。愿每一个基督徒都能在基督里找到真正的安息和力量，并在日常生活中活出自己的信仰和智慧，愿每一个‘好友’成为灵里的好友，让我们为此祷告。

（如有建议敬请留言讨论，邮箱：[email protected]）

How Should Friends Communicate: Critical Thinking and Social Responsibility

Introduction

In modern society, people live at different paces. The regulated use of social media—coupled with a prevailing indifference—has made effective communication increasingly difficult. While self-media platforms accelerate the process of self-expression, they also widen the gap for resonating on shared values. Many people tend to avoid expressing their own opinions and, in doing so, lack critical thinking. This not only hampers individual growth but also obstructs social harmony and progress. This article explores how to promote effective communication among friends through educational reform, civic awareness, and personal initiative. Below are some detailed discussions.

I. The Influence of History and Culture

Rooted in over two millennia of civilization, Confucian culture emphasizes collective interests and harmony, which has led to a weakening of individual rights and freedom of expression. In this context, people are more inclined to obey authority and the collective will rather than think independently—even when they occasionally experience moments of insight, these are quickly overridden by the notion that “the few must submit to the many.” Although Confucianism values moral education, in modern society it has almost become synonymous with “the mean” or “timidity.” Its ideals need to be balanced with the love and forgiveness found in Christianity to harmonize the relationship between the individual and the collective.

II. The Legacy of Imperial Rule

Over more than two thousand years, imperial rule has left deep imprints on the social fabric. It has instilled a comprehensive system of social control—from psychological, physical, to institutional mechanisms—that suppresses independent thinking and the willingness to express oneself. Historically, rebels have usually faced severe punishment, which not only affected the individual but also their family and community. This led to a widespread fear of dissent.

III. Factors in Modern Society

New technologies and big data–powered AI now more efficiently govern the use of modern Chinese language. People no longer need to worry about “saying the wrong thing” or having their “direction of thought” questioned. Strict censorship on social platforms has forced public opinions to be more straightforward and simplified. With the extensive language regulation over time, people have learned to self-correct their words and gradually forget the deeper thoughts they wish to express. Discussions have become confined to non-controversial topics, thereby avoiding various troubles and leaving people more time to focus on trivial family matters.

IV. Social Structure

Although traditional Chinese culture values the collective, modern society has seen a rise in individualism and utilitarianism. People are increasingly focused on their immediate interests, often neglecting the public responsibilities that affect future generations. Social relationships (for example, in one’s “friend circle”) tend to be superficial; people maintain relationships mainly out of utilitarian motives rather than shared values or a sense of social responsibility.

V. The Lack of Critical Thinking

The long-term emphasis on exam-oriented education has neglected the cultivation of critical thinking skills. Students are often taught to rely on rote memorization and standard answers, with little opportunity to think independently or question established ideas. It is only after entering the workforce—when one is “earning a living”—that many realize what they learned is not always what they need. Like many drivers who follow the rote routines learned in driving school, there is little chance during one’s development to practice and hone critical thinking.

How to Proceed

1. Educational Reform

• Introduce more debate, discussion, and critical thinking training within the educational system.
• Encourage students to think independently and express their ideas.
• The education system should offer a more diverse curriculum, including subjects like philosophy and logic, to help students develop holistically.

2. Fostering Civic Awareness

• Increase participation in community activities and civic education to strengthen people’s sense of responsibility for public affairs—this is key to deepening mutual care.
• Simultaneously, encourage media and public oversight to enhance transparency and accountability in social issues.

3. Personal Initiative

• Actively seek out information from multiple sources (engage in systematic study rather than merely scrolling through short videos).
• When time allows, review what your friends are “reading” or “liking” on social apps to understand the types of information that resonate with them.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding and analysis of social events, and, within a safe environment, be courageous enough to express your views.
• Cultivate a style of independent thought and critical thinking; steer away from the mentality of “everything is calm” or “I only care for myself” to avoid stagnation.

4. The Role of Christianity in Modern Society

• As the body of Christ on earth, the Church should have a clear stance.
• Modern believers must learn to combine rationality with faith—respecting traditional culture while maintaining a critical mindset.
• Avoid blind conformity and extreme behaviors.
• Practice principles of love and forgiveness, care for others, and cherish life while facing life’s challenges with a proactive attitude.

5. Guiding Children to Establish Correct Values

• For Christians growing up in the cultural soil influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, use biblical teaching and personal example to help children build correct values.
• Cultivate independent thought and critical thinking skills from an early age.
• Remember that avoiding blind following is key to practicing critical thinking.
• Believers should learn to question unreasonable traditions and viewpoints and, relying on the Bible and God’s guidance, make wise choices.
• As Jesus taught, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4).

Facing Social Gray Areas

I. Focus on Social Justice

• Christians should be sensitive to issues of social justice and actively participate in matters that promote societal progress.
• The Bible teaches us to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). This means staying alert to injustices and taking practical actions to help those who are shamed or suffering.

II. Communicate via Nonviolent Means

• When addressing social gray areas, Christians should advocate nonviolent communication and express their demands peacefully.
• Jesus said, “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Nonviolent methods not only embody Christian values of love and forgiveness but also help maintain societal peace and stability.

III. Educate and Enlighten

• Christians (and the Church) should educate and inspire others to recognize the roots of social issues, encouraging them to adopt a proactive approach rather than isolating themselves from their faith.
• As Paul states in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” This reminder calls us to continually learn and reflect so that we can approach social problems with a renewed heart and mind.

Conclusion

The teachings and values of Christianity can play an important role in modern society. Through educational reform, cultivation of civic awareness, and personal action, we can promote healthy social development. Believers and church leaders should focus on social justice, advocate nonviolent communication, educate and inspire others, and actively respond to national calls for a fairer and more harmonious society. May every Christian find true rest and strength in Christ and live out their faith and wisdom in everyday life. May every “friend” become a friend in spirit. Let us pray for this together.