This or That

A good friend who was once a political consultant told me how a political race is often run. He said the goal is to find an issue--it doesn't really matter what that issue is--about which people disagree. The best issues for this are things that cause deep emotions, but, actually, anything will do, because the emotions can be heightened later. The next step is to choose your side on this issue (it is telling to me that the choice of which side comes only after the divisive issue is chosen). Once you have chosen your side, the thing to do is drive a wedge between yourself and the opponent. The wider the gap, the better. As you are doing this, be sure to make your side look good and the other side look as bad as possible.

He didn't say this, but I imagine using the worst possible rhetoric is preferred. Comparing people to Hitler or Stalin or using other deeply loaded terms is a good thing for getting your political views to be heard and to get publicity toward being elected. But in reality, it's all nonsense. That isn't to say that every bit of those political views is nonsense, but the idea that there is no tenable view somewhere between the two extreme views is ridiculous.

I hesitate to even use any examples, but so many news stories have these kinds of issues in them. What is alarming to me is to know that when we are incensed about these issues, when we are stoked to great passion, passion enough to hate others over their views, it is all a type of theater. One thing about being a citizen of democracy is, I think, the idea that we can come together and solve problems together, joining forces and sharing wisdom. But the current climate is less rule by majority than force your will on the minority. I don't think it is healthy, and I don't think it can last.

Speaking from the position of pastor, people leave churches over disagreements over things in the church, sometimes seemingly small things, because there seems to be no way that different views can coexist in the same place. I had a friend lately who had been close to another person, but that person has decided to distance themself from anyone who doesn't share their political views. 

To me that is a sad commentary. How do we grow if we are never presented with alternatives to our own point of view? For churchgoers, is it really possible to find a place where everyone agrees on everything? If not, will it be a revolving door of moving from community to community, checking out once the pastor or someone else in the church says something you disagree with?

I don't think our relationships are supposed to be that shallow. I think there are alternatives to the this or that way of thinking. There are positions in between. There are thoughtful ways to coalesce different ideas of morality. There can be acceptance among different viewpoints as long as each party is willing to be respectful and listen.

My hope for the future is that we can leave the gap creating, wedge driving type of public rhetoric behind and have some meaningful, respectful conversations. We don't have to follow our elected leaders into hatred, disrespect, and divisiveness. There is another way.

At least, that's the view from where I stand today.