"The George Avocado Society"
"Middle of the roaders urged to organize a 'George Avocado Society' by Writer" is the heading of Dick West's column in the LUFKIN NEWS, April 27, 1961. Mr. West's article was directed at that segment of society which cannot be "described as 'ultra' conservative nor as 'ultra' liberal" politically speaking. He suggests "that there might be a lot of people" who cannot be classified under either label simply because they "don't feel very strongly about anything." He then, tongue in cheek, suggests forming "an 'ultra' middle-of-the-road organization" to provide a place for those, "who never take sides of any issue, to hang our (their )hats."
As an appropriate name for the organization he first suggested naming it in "honor of the first man ever killed in an automobile accident while driving down the center lane of a highway." But then realizing the insurmountable difficulty of the task of learning the identity of that early middle-of-the-road martyr, he had to abandon that idea but suggested as next best the "George Avocado Society." In reading Mr. West's column, I came to suspect that he was actually glad that he couldn't identify that first martyr and thus had to make up an appropriate title. He says of the substitute title, "Note the extra bit of symbolism in the word 'avocado.' It fits our group because the avocado is neither bitter nor sweet. In fact, it is virtually tasteless." Mr. West continues in good natured irony to suggest as a motto, "Fence-straddlers of the world unite! You have nothing to gain but a callus."
This columnist did not have in mind the editor of the religious journal who has gone on record as having a fondness for the middle-of-the-road. His editorial was directed particularly at the people who are without political conviction, but his comments which I have quoted are so well expressed and fit so well the editor and those fellow travelers of his who are among us that I pass them on to the readers of the Gospel Guardian.
Men of strong religious conviction do not elect to travel the middle-of-the-road. Truth and error are the two extremes. They are represented in the scriptures under the figure of light and darkness. The middle of this would be a twilight situation that must be described as grey. If one truly follows the middle-of-the-road, he must accept a mixture of truth and error. In matters of faith, men of conviction will be found walking "by faith." They will be ready with a "thus saith the Lord" either in divine precept or precedent for every step which they take. Only in this way can they walk in the light. Lack of conviction is a characteristic of middle-of-the-road travelers.
Another thing which characterizes "our" average middleof-the-roader is vagueness in the terminology which they employ, e.g., "anti" and the ambiguous way that they use the word, "home." Along with this and closely related to it is the feigned ignorance of the true issue involved and of the fact of "sponsoring churches, benevolent societies, or centralized control." Like the legendary ostrich, they attempt to bury their heads in the sand in the middle-of-the-road. They seem to think that if they can close their eyes to the evil, it will go away. These things tie in with the in- ordinate readiness to be reassured, which is observable in prospective members of the "George Avocado Society." With them a denial of guilt is all the evidence necessary, even in face of a vast accumulation of FACTS to the contrary.
Isaiah used some rather hard words in describing some watchmen who would not admit the presence of danger and give the necessary warning regardless of the cost to themselves. He also pointed out the reasons for their failure to recognize danger and give warning. But here without further comment is the inspired comments of the attitude and behaviour of people who are unwilling to raise their voice against error. "All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind, they are all without knowledge: they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark: dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. Yet, the dogs are greedy, they can never have enough: and these are shepherds that cannot understand: they have all turned to their own way, each one to his gain, from every quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink: and tomorrow shall be as this day, a day great beyond measure." (Isa. 56:9-12)
Rather than calling the society "The George Avocado Society," I propose "The Dumb Dogs" as an appropriate title for spiritual watchmen who fail to recognize danger and sound a positive warning. I hasten to remind the reader that neither the title, nor the application of it, is original with me. If some feel that this is too strong language, it might be well for them to make an earnest reappraisal of their attitude to determine where the trouble lies!