None of the Above

by

Perspectives

Oboedire | April 29, 2026

Thinking about the multiple-choice tests and surveys I have taken in my lifetime, I remembered how some of the questions included a “none of the above” option. It was for those questions where the listed answers were incorrect. Often, the suggestions related to the question in some way, making a “none of the above” response difficult, even though necessary.

I have come to believe we are at a “none of the above” time in dealing with the question, “What is wrong with the world today?” Reading across a spectrum of viewpoints, it is obvious that we radically disagree so far as an answer to the question is concerned. But almost everyone across the board agrees that things are not the way they should be. We all agree that things are really messed up.

And from our respective vantage points we set about identifying what we think the failures are and what should be done to solve them. Problem is, we create multiple-choice options which are not the real answer to the question. We propose options that are clearly in play in the dire straits in which we find ourselves, but “none of the above” adequately answers the question.

Examples abound. Here are a few. The problem is the progressives; the problem is the conservatives. The problem is the Democrats; the problem is the Republicans. The problem is the “woke” ones; the problem is the obscurantists. The problem is Muslims; the problem is nationalistic Christians. The problem is immigrants; the problem is ICE.  Etc. There is no end to the allegations. But choosing one over another (partisanship) does not resolve anything, but rather only widens the divide, amps up the vitriol and violence, and puts the world in greater danger.

That’s why I am increasingly feeling led to choose the “none of the above” option in our life’s multiple-choice test. This response does not mean there is no answer; it means the problem we agree on is not solved by the ones listed. The answer is elsewhere.

In my “none of the above’ choice, I propose that while we name evils caused by any form of partisanship, we look to the seven deadly sins as a conversation-starter for moving beyond examples to causes. If we limit our interactions to the divisive categories, we will not only keep the chaos coming and the harm happening; we will have settled for band-aid solutions to mortal wounds.

Instead, we mark “none of the above” and turn our attention to pride, envy, rage, sloth, greed, lust, and gluttony.

If we made these the lenses through which we look to address the problems we agree are damaging our relationships and destroying our planet, we would at least shift the focus of our conversation. We would engender a conviction that what we name as the wrongs are, in fact, failures of the heart, abandonments of what it means to be human beings made in the image of God.

The possibility is fascinating to consider: that  exploring the seven deadly sins is a better way forward than continuing the never-ending “othering” which only produces gridlock and hatred. And if an initial fascination morphs onto a confirmation of our instinct, then marking “none of the above” will be the best choice we ever made.

The Rev. Dr. Steve Harper is retired seminary professor who taught for 32 years in the disciplines of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies. Author and co-author of more than fifty books.. He is also a retired elder in The Florida Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.