It is easy to stand for the truth when the people in one’s environment are in agreement, but the real test comes when we stand for the truth despite the pushback and ramifications that one will face for holding such opinions. Therefore,
A person is not virtuous for the popular opinions they eagerly promote, but the unpopular opinions they dare to proclaim.
To articulate this point below is a thought experiment from Professor Robert George of Princeton.
Professor: Imagine you are living in 1860 Alabama. How many of you would be on the side of the abolitionist?
Stu dents: Nearly all the hands go up
Pro fessor: Really? Can anyone of you name a single political stance you are currently willing to publicly proclaim that may cost you your life, liberty, or career today?
Students: Silence
We all like to think that we are not a byproduct of our environment and our norms, but consider that in 1860 Alabama 25% of free blacks even owned slaves. So to think that we would all be immune to such societal pressures and stick with the morals we have today, if we were living in 1860 Alabama, would be naive.
A trait of a believer is that they worship their Lord privately and publicly.
You shall worship your Lord publicly and privately; He does not love the transgressors.