I read a reader’s guest column in the local paper’s opinion pages today which made such sense, regarding religion and politics (the two main focuses of this blog, I guess), that I had to share a link to it so you can read it for yourself.
The author of that guest column, as you will see, is the pastor of a local congregation from a mainline Christian denomination. I haven’t been to his church and I’m not exactly sure what part of the city it’s located in, but I’m think about looking it up just to go by and tell him thanks.
The point of the column is this: We have been so caught up in arguments based on a false yes/no, black/white, right/wrong view of reality that we’ve forgotten there may be shades of meaning, complex points of view, and other factors which demand our attention. We can only give each other that attention, and find answers to such complex issues, when we make an effort to really listen to one another and really think about the issues.
I urge you to read the complete column, but I want to highlight a couple of paragraphs by quoting them here:
“Perhaps this happens because it is easier to set up simple oppositions and then demonize those who disagree with them than it is to participate in constructive dialogue.”
…
“Liberals and conservatives alike (if we even want to continue using these kinds of labels) can raise their voices to hammer home how “right” they are until the cows — or donkeys and elephants — come home, but until respect for the Other and in-depth dialogue become serious priorities, our collective future will be significantly diminished.”
It may be unrealistic to think that our radically polarized society can truly come together and “get along” so we can confront the complexities of war, economy, environment, and culture that threaten us all. But we certainly can take steps in the right direction.
Ah, well, what do I know? I’m just a guy who reads the papers.
Technorati Tags: political divisiveness, religious divisiveness, how to get along with others, bipartisanship, just a guy who reads the papers