"The Passion of Politics"
Sermon Presented October 10, 2004
John 13:31-35
I am a political animal, and refraining from open political debate (which I believe ministers should do) is most difficult. In my former life, I was active in political campaigns as my ex-husband served three terms as prosecuting attorney, my son, three terms in the Missouri legislature and I, two terms on the school board. I have attended political caucuses and sported bumper stickers and yard signs. It's still part of me because I skipped the sermon at the annual meeting on Friday night to watch the debates.
And yet, when I actively engage in partisan politics, I don't always like the way I feel. Oh, I feel good about participating in the political process because I want to make a difference in what I believe is Truth, but I have trouble separating passionate campaigners from the opposing candidates they support. Those who support my candidate are informed and wise. Those who don't are uninformed and foolish. I can become angry or depressed if my candidate loses. I have similar feelings watching the debates.
Knowing how political activity affects me has caused me to become increasingly alarmed at how the passionate expression of politics is affecting our country and in particular our churches, and this presidential election promises to be the most polarizing ever. Few voters are undecided. The September 27th issue of Time magazine addressed the political perspective of voters who are sure they have the Truth. "Red Truth looks at Bush and sees a savior; Blue Truth sees a zealot who must be stopped. In both worlds there are no accidents only conspiracies, and facts have value only to the extent that they support the Truth" (p. 24).
Whom we trust depends on what color we see. The television net work, radio programs, editorial writers, cartoonists, blogs, 527 groups, movie-makers and politicians that we support show our color. And when we feed only one perspective, we become further entrenched in the position we hold. People caught up in the world of red and blue often exhibit feelings more than thoughts.
This passionate expression of political views is churning up families, college campuses, neighborhoods, churches, cities and our nation. Cathy, my friend who visited last week from Marysville said that her sister-in-law is an "anybody but Bush" person and her brother is a Bush supporter. As the election nears, the political arguments in their home are increasingly intense. People leave churches when they hear political discussions that run counter to their beliefs. They become upset with the signage in their neighbor's yard or the bumper sticker on their coworker's car.
The passion of politics crosses economic boundaries. After Ed and I finished serving at St. Ben's last month we sat across the table from an African-American man who began talking politics to the woman beside me. The man was anticipating the first presidential debate to be held later that evening. He expressed concern about judicial appointments and affirmative action.
People are more vocal with their political views today than in the past, and this vocalization helps fuel the passion. My mom tuned out Dad's political verbiage and then canceled his vote at the polls. There were no arguments. Today families argue openly about politics. How families handle these differences is crucial to relationships. (In Marysville, the 16-year-old son of a prominent Republican businessman wrote a scathing letter to the editor of the local newspaper condemning President Bush and his Iraqi war policy. This caused major family conflict.)
One logical question is, if we are all Christian, why do we differ? Shouldn't we see alike on issues and candidates? (When I was in seminary in 1988, the seminary took a straw vote of the students and faculty on that year's presidential election. The students voted 82% for the Republican candidate and the faculty voted 100% for the Democratic candidate. I overheard one student say: "How can anyone be a Christian and vote for a Democrat?")
Why do we differ? To answer this question, we need to consider our core beliefs. Christians interpret scripture differently and take opposite positions based on these core beliefs. How we view the world and our priorities for changing the world are the lenses through which we look. Some people are most concerned with morality issues, while social justice issues take precedence with others. Your stance on abortion, the war in Iraq, gay marriage, affirmative action, education, capital punishment, gun control and universal healthcare will determine how you see the candidates and the parties. How a candidate measures up to your core values determines the likelihood of you voting for him or her.
Katherine Forrest of the liberal Commonweal Institute in California said: "People come to us and say they've been in a political discussion and either been screaming or practically crying (Journal-Sentinel 10-26-04 p. 10L)." Republican columnist and speaker Terry Paulson said: "In far too many political communications, people do not listen. Care enough to seek to understand the positions of others (Ibid.)" When feelings run high, there is no rationality.
We have a problem! How do we resolve it? Listen to what Jesus told his disciples the night before his death. We call these words the "New Commandment" and it is a command for us modern-day disciples as well as for the Twelve.
- Read John 13:31-35. -
What does Jesus command? He commands us to love one another, as he loves us. What does he say is the result of this kind of love? He says that by our love, others will know that we are his disciples. He didn't say that followers of Jesus will be recognized by their political party or the candidate that they support, but we will be recognized by how we love one another. But when we become angry over political issues and attack our opponents verbally, we don't show love. When we distance ourselves from those taking opposing views, we don't show love. When we attempt to make another feel inferior or stupid or un-Christian, we don't show love. When we are angry and internalize our anger, we don't show love and we hurt ourselves.
Here are some common-sense steps for "doing love" in our political interactions with others.
1. Recognize that you might be wrong and listen respectfully to the opinions of others.
2. Move the conversation away from slogans to ideas.
3. Ask questions in order to understand the position of another.
4. Acknowledge the other person's feelings even if you don't agree.
5. Personalize topics: "Has this affected you personally?" You can then respond with your own experiences and observations.
6. Don't pass judgment or allow your emotions to carry you away.
7. See people with differing opinions as parents, businessmen and women, bridge players, someone from a different culture, Christians, neighbors. You may find that soon neither will consider the other "the enemy."
8. If necessary, change the subject.
Here are some questions to determine if passionate politics is a problem for you. Do you get upset when you hear opposing opinions? Do you hold a grudge? Is your sleep affected? Is it difficult to work closely with those who argue against your point of view? A heated debate with a relative, friend, neighbor, colleague, or fellow Christian can damage an important relationship and prevent constructive dialogue now and in the future.
Here are some suggestions for us to deal with our feelings:
- Recognize and admit your feelings.
- Agree to abandon - or at least begin to work through feelings that are destructive.
- Talk to a trusted friend who can listen to you and to God at the same time.
We didn't need to read last month's Journal-Sentinel to know that churches struggle with dissent (9-20-04.) Arlo Reichter, our Executive Minister stated that 25% of ABC churches in Wisconsin are experiencing conflict. When conflict arises, people tend to choose sides: "I'm right and you're wrong. My candidate is good and yours is evil." It's unacceptable to fire Bible bullets at one another and forget Christ's admonition to love each other as he loves.
Jesus calls us to live in the world. The task of the Church is to be as thoroughly in the world as Jesus was. To do this we need to be educated citizens and voters. We need to support candidates that we believe best characterize our Christian beliefs. We need to be prepared to express our positions with gentleness and respect. Being passionate about politics can be positive when we work for the greater good in a loving manner.
James Wall, a regular writer for Christian Century (9-21-04 p. 61) is quoted as saying: "Without sensitivity to others, we leave ourselves locked into a national self-centeredness that blocks us from hearing any but our own voices. We defeat ourselves with our inability to hear how others feel."
Christ's command to us doesn't say "Don't hate," it says to love. It doesn't say to "tolerate" but to love as Christ loved. He doesn't tell us that we all need to think alike and vote the same. The important command is that we love one another in the midst of our diversity. Red and blue coming together in Christ to be one in the spirit of love is the goal. We make a statement to the world by how we live in relationship to one another. Are we united or divided? Do we love as Christ loved?
By doing acts of love toward those we disagree with, we can transform our lives and our relationships. This is the divine way of relating to one another. It's the way that changes us and that changes the world. It's the way to have a loving family and congregation even though we don't agree politically.
How do we love one another? Do we have unity in diversity? Jesus said we are to love as he loved his followers. That's Christian! That's divine!
