There is something worse than who has won the US election. Much worse. That is the divisiveness that has been created around this election. It is within that divisiveness that I believe evil lurks. One of the greatest factors in violence is to see the world as “us” and “them.” It is how the greatest of atrocities have happened. It bothers me that this divisiveness has stomped, not crept, into our country. The divisiveness is a bigger threat to us than anything else that might be posed.
The divisiveness has caused all of us to insist on being heard. Not a good start to a conversation, for none of us are wanting to understand the other side. And as much I might disagree with the other person, they have something to say. In my insistence that they listen to me, and agree with me, the only response that makes sense is to simply get one’s back up.
To be clear, I am not advocating for people to simply and quietly accept the election of President-elect Trump. I don’t, and will not. What am I pointing out is that our little band of Christians cannot afford to be divided over this issue.
This past week I have seen a number of articles about how evil Muslims are if given half a chance. The difficulty with these stories is that they point out conflicts that have been between people, often longer than formalized religion has existed. They hate each other because their great great great grandfathers hated each other, not because of who they worship. The narrative is that we cannot trust those Muslim bastards, and they would persecute the North American Christians if given half-a-chance.
The greatest threat to us, Canadian Christians, is the person sitting across the aisle from us. It is the vitriol that we spew at each other and the world around us, that will be our undoing. Collectively, we Christians keep bumping up against issues that some will claim will be worth dividing the Church. Think about that for a moment, what issue could possibly be worth rending the body of Christ?
The only issue I see is not from outside of the Church, it is within. That issue, is our conduct in the world around us, and with each other. I am not suggesting that we submit to those we disagree with, I am suggesting maybe we treat the other person with the respect that we might want to afford our Lord.
One of the lessons I think Trump offers, is the futility of the entire Politically Correct efforts of our society. In shutting down the speech, did we really address the underlying biases? I think not. For me, it seems that in the end, we simply stopped the dialogue. To this, I would add, that some of the vilest stuff I have heard has come out of the sweetest mouths, and stated so nicely. If Political Correctness had actually changed how we viewed the world, could we have had Trump elected? We must engage those we find objectionable in dialogue.
So, how do we listen to each other respectfully? I encourage people to disagree with me. I have two things that I insist on. First, is that you are thoughtful. Do not tell me “The Bible says…” if you don’t read the thing, and have only heard it said that it is in the Bible. Do not quote a Facebook meme as fact if you have not actually checked to see if it is true. Secondly, be respectful.
So here are some ideas.
First, let’s afford each other the dignity of having our opinions. I should be just as interested in why you believe the way you do, as I am in what you believe.
Second, maybe we could afford those that we elect into office, the respect their position commands. Regardless of what I think of the person in office, they have had enough people who respected them to put them there in the first place. The only thing that I prove by name calling the person, or otherwise maligning them, is that my position has no foundation other than my own ignorance and arrogance.
Third, speak our truth quietly, clearly, and at times forcefully. I come by my beliefs very passionately. The damage to myself in not speaking out has been felt in my soul. While I refuse to no longer be silent, that is not permission for me to be ugly to others. I fear the greater loss of our humanity, and compassion, than of an argument.
Four, know what we are talking about. Our media is not interested in the truth, they are interested in continuing a story. I think the days of investigative journalism has passed. The outlets, which are all owned by large corporations, are interested in the sensational, that which will sell, not in the truth. The research I do should be more than just stockpiling ammunition; I need to be open to being wrong and learning more.
Five, let’s not speak rhetoric to each other. I am tired of seeing people using terms simply because they sound smart. In the end, we do little justice to ourselves, and we confuse the person we are speaking to.
Six, realise that the other person has legitimate and genuine concerns. Unless the other person is intentionally being an asshole, they have come by their concerns honestly. To be dismissive of that person’s stance, regardless of how objectionable, does no one any good.
And let’s remember we are playing to a greater audience, and for higher stakes.
