Politics and religion

[dreamflower]

Sunday our pastor quoted one of John Wesley's own favorite quotations (which I believe may have originated with Augustine): "In essentials unity, in non-essentials tolerance, but in all things love."

And then this morning I opened my daily email from The Upper Room, and found this wonderful and much needed reflection:

Be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves.

- James 1:22 (NRSV)
Today's Devotional

A foul mood is spreading across our society and the world these days. Dialogue seems to have been replaced by name-calling that is little related to truth. Broadcasters fill the air with divisive labels designed to wound. Sometimes we see the same malice in the arena of faith and religion. This kind of talk reduces difficult issues to slogans and stops us from seeing others as worthwhile individuals. However, each of us has the choice and ability to move beyond labels and categories.

What changed for me is meeting people who are different from me. I discovered that they have hopes and dreams like mine. My study of scripture revealed that all people are of sacred worth. I learned that labels and categories can be used to lie and hide the truth, to injure and wound, to create fear and manipulate people. Words that make us suspicious of anyone who is different can make people into adversaries and enemies.

We read in Hebrews 13:1-2, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” This counsel allows no exceptions. Any label or category that diminishes the worth of another person also diminishes us. As believers in Christ, we are called to honor every individual we meet as a person of sacred worth — nothing less.

F. Richard Garland (New Hampshire, USA)

Thought for the Day: What labels limit my seeing and honoring people as God’s beloved children?

Prayer: O God, help us to love and respect one another as your children. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Prayer Focus: Political adversaries


I usually feel that when the Lord calls my attention twice to the same idea in a short amount of time, it's something I need to pay attention to. I frequently have found my own thoughts less than charitable lately towards those who disagree with my POV, especially when they are in the political arena; yelling "idiot" at the TV screen is not good for my blood pressure OR my spiritual development, and even worse is "thinking" it at someone I know in person who is talking about his/her own opinions that are different than mine. While I hope I have good manners enough to be civil in person, I have to realize that uncharitable thoughts don't do much good either, and it's hypocrisy on my part to be smiling at someone while inside I am seething at them.

For some reason, I don't have the same problem with my online friends, whether they agree or disagree-- I suppose it's being filtered through the written word that helps me organize my thoughts, so that we can have a civil discussion without my getting emotional?

I do LIKE debate and civil argument. I just don't like feeling that some people will never listen to ANYTHING I say, or worse, twist my own opinions into something they can ridicule. And I don't like being told I can't be a good Christian if my opinions on certain political things fall closer to the liberal side than the conservative.

The most important part of the first quote above is "in all things love". I wish that our leaders and lawmakers on BOTH sides of the political divide would remember that part.

Comments

[elasg.livejournal.com]

At the risk of sticking my nose in where I have absolutely no place being, can I say 'preach it, sistah!'?

[dreamflower]

Your nose is welcome. You are a friend, after all.

Mostly I was preaching to myself. But I do wish that words like "tolerance" and "compromise" were suddenly not considered "dirty words". Politics has grown ever nastier and nastier in the last few decades, and I wonder that ANYONE ever even wants to run for office considering what they will face when they do.

[the-mad-hobbit.livejournal.com]

I couldn't possibly agree more! Did you know that Sean has a new podcast out the main focus of which is civil political discussion? He agrees that things have gone off the civilized end and wants to return us to intelligent and respectful political intercourse.

I have, somewhere, a bumper sticker I got at my old church. It says, "God is not a Republican, OR a Democrat." For me, that says it all.

I happen to feel that my more liberal views are MORE Christian than some I have heard, but that is MY OPINION and my feeling. Since tolerance is a virtue we are taught to embrace, I will certainly try to get there in my own life and hope that others do the same.

Hugs,
Rach

[dreamflower]

Thank you! Do you have a link to Sean's podcast? I can't always access podcasts, but sometimes I can.

I like that bumper sticker you mentioned! So true!

[piplover.livejournal.com]

It took a long time for me to find a church that I felt comfortable going to, because it seemed to me that every church I found preached love and tolerance... but only if it applied to certain groups.

For me, it's the differences amongst ourselves that bring us together. It's the disparity of viewpoints that allow us to expand our own. The Fellowship wouldn't have been very good if it were made up of only Hobbits or Dwarves or Men. Only when we work together, and enjoy our differences, can we appreciate what we ourselves bring to this world.

I can't imagine a God who doesn't love all his children, no matter who they love or vote for. Those who preach differently, well, I seriously think they have a bad phone connection.

[pandemonium-213.livejournal.com]

I opened my daily email from The Upper Room

OK, this made me smile. How times have changed! I recall the paper copies of The Upper Room and how much I liked their covers as a kid. Now it's by email! Well, not all. My mother still receives a paper version.

These are fantastic sentiments expressed through the quotes from the scripture and Garland's reflections (as well as your own)...definitely something a secular humanist and an active member of the UMC can agree on. :^)

[elasg.livejournal.com]

Well, I meant in regards to me not being a christian - though I have great respect for those who 'walk the walk' - a seemingly dwindling minority of the faithful from my observation, or perhaps it's just that those nastier folks are drowning out the more tolerant ones like yourself.

It always seemed to me that for a group who has 'written directions' for their religion, a lot of folks don't seem to have read the book. It's a pity. There's a lot of good ideas in there.

If you're looking for podcasts, I listen to one called 'State of Belief' by the Rev. Welton Gaddy who is the president of the Interfaith Alliance. His podcast is free and is, IMHO, the best advertisement for faith there is. http://stateofbelief.com/

[the-mad-hobbit.livejournal.com]

Here ya go:

http://www.toadhopnetwork.com/f/Vox

I get it from iTunes through subscription.

Hugs,
Rach

[dreamflower]

*bookmarks*

[dreamflower]

Thank you!

[dreamflower]

I can't imagine a God who doesn't love all his children, no matter who they love or vote for.

*nods*

[dreamflower]

I still pick up the paper magazine in the church foyer. I like having it to look at from time to time. But as for reading it everyday like I should, it works very well to have it popping up in my inbox every day.

Yes. I just wish we could get those folks on the two opposite extremes of the spectrum to at least consider unity, tolerance and love as a way to make decisions.

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

Ah labels... we do have/had a discussion about that for one and a half year regarding children with behavioural or neurological issues. Since sience has advanced thusly and we know how to reach out and help those kids, those who only hear the label but do not know what it stands for start to mock them, especially when a price tag is attached to it. Do they see and want to understand the children (and families) behind a label? No, it means that they get less of what they want and will do anything to undermine something that they do not fully comprehend. All they think: oh this is something I do not wish to pay for, but at the same time they will deny society the potential of what could have been. Certain folks are egocentric and to truly love and try to understand means that you have to let go of your ego and what feels safe to you, even if it means to stand in the shoes of another for a wee bit.

Now.. back to what was probably your intent with your entry.. your faith and trust in God gives you the safety (or will try to give you that space) to reach out, show compassion or even respect because you know that he loves them all and ultimately will care for them. If Jesus could forgive those who wronged him, so can you. I hope I am making any sense here.

[dreamflower]

You make a good deal of sense, especially casting it in terms of your own personal experience!

((((hugs to you and your darling kids!))))

[rhapsody11.livejournal.com]

{{{hugs}}} Oh and even I get occassionally wound up when someone is being very stupid on the telly. I think it's okay to have opinions, but at the same time I also know that they have theirs and no matter what I think of it.. it is their opinion, life will sooner or later tell the difference between both. A civilised debate is possible, just as long if you don't jump to conclusions too quickly. All I usually try is to show them how it comes across and let them make their own conclusions. And for me I get insight on how they think, reason. It makes me understand them better. Patience is the key.. I got barrels of patience ;)

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

This is one of the thing that has turned me off organized religion (er, not you but the intolerance you're talking about). It's really great to know people like you who embrace their faith but also spread the love outward. *hugs*

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

I keep feeling that so many churchgoing, good people have been spoonfed how important their political positions on one or two topics are in regards to their faith, backed by a list of a few Bible verses (some of them tenuous in translation) that they've forgotten how often the Bible tells us to leave judgment to God. And they've certainly taken to reading the Old Testament, and the tenets of the old covenant over understanding the news of the Gospel, and the tenets of the new covenant.

*sigh* Bible literalism is the worst thing that ever happened to faith.

[dreamflower]

It's one reason I like being a Methodist. Our motto is "Open hearts, open minds, open doors." Of course, that's not to say that some local church doors are not quite as wide open as others. My congregation here is much more conservative than the one in Mississippi-- but it is still much LESS conservative than most of the other denominations in town.

[dreamflower]

This is one thing I hate: being told that I HAVE to believe a certain way in order to be a "good" Christian. And nine times out of ten, it's not for any Biblical reason, it's for a political one.

*sigh* Whatever happened to "Render Caesar's unto Caesar, and unto God that which is God's"? Politics are something quite different to, and in many ways antithetical to Chrisitanity. Politics is about gaining and using worldly power. Christianity ought to be about expending all to succor the oppressed and not over exercising worldly power.

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

Sometimes I want to win the lottery so I can scatter the country with Billboards that say "Do you really want the Federal Government to tell you which Bible you're allowed to read?" with a picture of the NIV, the KJV, the Catholic Bible, etc. on it, and below that:

"Keeping Faith out of Government keeps Government out of Faith. Support the separation of church and state."

Not that it would make a dent in some blockheads. *sigh*

[dreamflower]

I find the political use of religion very disheartening. And it doesn't even have to be the government-- sometimes it's those who are not in the gov't but want to be who are the worst offenders.

(I am thinking here of how Republicans keep using fear of the government to win voters when they are the ones full of ideas for sticking the state's nose where it doesn't belong. At best it's disingenuous.)

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

At best. Although I think it's deliberate. Create a cadre of single issue voters and then promise to cater to their desires until you get into office, at which point you do what you wanted, which is to line your pockets.

I will say for the Tea Partiers who got into Congress that they actually have tried to pass laws that reflect their beliefs -- no matter who they step on in the process. I just don't find it very Christian of them.

[aearwen2.livejournal.com]

Political and religious discourse and civil discussions/debates are possible, but only when one respects the other person's right to hold a belief and/or opinion that is different from one's own and demonstrates a willingness to allow the other to speak as much as one expects those others to allow one to speak. Another thing that is necessary for civil discourse is a lack of money or power potential as a goal of the effort. When there is neither an ulterior motive nor money involved, people tend to behave in a more civil manner. Sometimes.

Unfortunately, money and power have become so prevalent in both religious and political life that most people have become polarized and now have lost the willingness to even listen to another point of view. Nowadays, even if power and money are non-factors, the conditioning is that religion and politics are taboo subjects to be avoided at all costs. Compromise has become a sign of weakness, not cooperation.

I'd gladly donate to your billboard campaign, regardless of whether it would actually do any discernable good. All it would have to accomplish to be worthwhile (IMHO) would be to get Just One Person using their head for something besides holding their ears apart...

Have you thought of joining organizations like the Interfaith Alliance or some other such? I'm certain they could use someone who is motivated and sincere and full of energy. (Mine's gone - 10 years in a pre-Internet Era Interfaith discussion/debate forum representing my faith to so many others means I've been there, done that. I'm ready to pass on the baton!)

More power to you! Preach it!

[elandulin.livejournal.com]

I'm late to this discussion, but I agree wholeheartedly. I recently became a lapsed Catholic (and I probably don't have to explain why.) I wonder how long it will take for Christian leaders to realize they are, themselves, the worst enemies of Christendom. No assault could be worse than their own closed hearts and minds.

[aspenjules.livejournal.com]

Well, as a Republican and an active Mormon, it appears I may be in the minority in this discussion, but I DO love the quotes you listed above. I have so many thoughts going through my head that I doubt I can make any kind of sense, so I think I will limit myself to this one.

A lack of civility has permeated our whole society. I don't know if it originated with a lack of civility in politics and trickled down, or if it somehow originated in society and is simply being manifest now in Politics as well as all other facets of community life. It is for this reason that I don't often turn on the news, especially during election times. I find the absolute vicious nastiness physically sickening.

While it is true that I feel like I must vote my conscience on certain issues where I may be called intolerant, it is only the issues I vote against. I have been called some very nasty names, in person, in general, and even by defacing my property, but I strive to love all people, recognizing that though I disagree with their views of what is good for our society, they ARE my brothers and sisters as we are all children of the same God. It's not easy, and since I am also at times tempted to yell such epithets at the television, and I agree that it is not good for my blood pressure or spiritual growth, that is another reason why I avoid watching such things all together. I have no desire to add to the atmosphere of incivility.

Thanks for letting me speak my mind and for sharing your devotional.

[dreamflower]

Being Republican or Mormon is no problem for me-- you have never been anything but civil in any of our interactions, and I am the last person to condemn someone for holding different opinions to mine. That would be to do the same to them as what I complain of in others.

See, what gets me is those who try to put me in a box. If I am Christian then I have to be conservative in ALL things according to them. But that's not how I am. I do have conservative opinions on a few things, and I have liberal opinions on a few more things-- so I'm closer to liberal than I am to conservative. But truthfully what I really am is a moderate.

And that's why I feel so threatened; it used to be that "liberal" was bad, but now "moderate" is bad too?

We all should be voting our conscience. But what we should be doing is definitely voting OUR conscience-- what WE ourselves decide (with prayerful consideration) is the right position for us. Not what someone tells us OUGHT to be our conscience.

I'm a Democrat, and I'm a Christian, and I'm a little bit liberal, true. But I should hope that it would still be possible to have a nice reasoned and civil debate with a friend who holds a different position without jeopardizing that. And yet the demagogues in the media don't want that; all they want is drama and conflict-- even in mainstream media it's like politics is a sport rather than a means to achieving a civilized government-- it's all about who's winning, who's losing and what "points" they are making. And drama. Let us not forget the drama.

Anyway, thank you for commenting!

[dreamflower]

As I said, it's one reason I like being a Methodist. "Open hearts, open minds and open doors". Not that we are perfect on that score, but at least it is a part of our tradition.