Can't We Just Talk Nice?

Thank goodness the 2012 election season is coming to an end.  Watching the news or listening to the radio has become an exercise in frustration.  It’s not just the endless string of political commercials, debates, and “expert” commentators.  It’s the tone and the tactics which make it very tempting to conclude that none of the candidates are worthy of my vote.

The endless stream of angry, inflammatory, misleading and rude voices and images used in an effort to convince people to support a particular viewpoint or candidate, or more accurately, why not to support the competition, paints a sad picture of the state of respect and civility in our country.  This has been amplified during this election season by the new protections granted to the “super PACs.”  I’m sorry, but someone will have to convince me that allowing people to secretly contribute millions of dollars to these groups so that they can pay for venomous commercials and advertisements is good for society. 

We can debate whether the media is the cause of, or a reflection of, this uncivil activity.  Either way, I fear we are losing our ability to listen to views other than our own, weigh arguments fairly, and make informed decisions.  Instead, our views are shaped by whatever biased “news” source we choose to watch or listen to.  Those who have different views are quickly labeled as wrong and evil.  Recently, I heard a radio commentator observe that he’s seen fewer political bumper stickers this year than in previous elections.  Perhaps we are simply afraid to share our support in this way for fear of getting run off the road (or worse) by another driver.

What’s particularly sad is when this dark side of American behavior seeps into our faith communities.  A number of my friends and colleagues have commented that they have different political affiliations than their pastor and the majority of their congregation, so they don’t share their opinions on issues for fear of being labeled somehow as un-Christian.  The Sunday worship service has often been referred to as the most segregated hour in America.   These days, perhaps this includes segregation based on your political or social viewpoints. 

There is an alternative to disrespect for other opinions and trash talk, of course, one that opens the door to great opportunities for the church.  Christ’s description of it is pretty straight forward: “Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)  Can we, as the church, demonstrate love for others by engaging in civil, respectful discussion of societal and life issues?  Can our churches be safe places for dialogue around difficult issues?  Can our day school and Sunday School classrooms be places where children are taught not only the words to the song, “They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love,” but how that message can be applied in our interactions with people whose opinions differ from our own?

I was encouraged recently by a visit to Epiphany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.  Pastor Charles Oberkehr and members of Epiphany are responding to God’s love by making it a place that encourages care, understanding and civil conversation among people in their diverse community.  The congregation is located very near a large U.S. Army base.  With the help of a grant from Wheat Ridge Ministries, they are developing a variety of programs to assist members of the military and their families, particularly those who were deployed in the Middle East.  They recognized a significant “disconnect” between these members of the military and local community members on a variety of issues, including the challenges faced by veterans when they return from deployment.  In response, they are sponsoring a series of forums inviting both military and non-military into open, facilitated conversations.  A great example of a congregation serving as a healing place!

There are countless examples like this as churches live out their role as centers of health and healing in their community in response to God’s love.  What are you, or your congregation, doing to promote and encourage civil discussion about issues of importance?  Post a comment below!  And, in the meantime, enjoy God’s blessings each and every day!