By Blake Hart
Despite what many politicians and pundits may say, the United States is still deeply divided. Since the midterm elections several political analysts have said that “the American people” have spoken.
Some claim the country spoke with one voice calling for the repeal of “Obamacare,” defeat of “cap-and-trade” legislation and fiscal conservatism. They act as if the results of the recent election represent the overwhelming majority of citizens. That is simply not the case.
Very few victories could be considered a landslide. A look at election outcomes reveals that, in most instances, the candidates who won, both Republicans and Democrats, did so by margins of a few percentage points. Exit polls reveal complicated views of health-care reform, environmental regulation and government spending.
Why, then, the sweeping pronouncements by pundits? Maybe it’s because taking such division seriously would force us to admit the complexities of our problems. It is far more comfortable to build straw opponents by generalizing the issues.
For instance, often in previous elections we heard politicians say, “We want to be fiscally responsible,” as if their opponent preferred to burn dollar bills in bulk. Most people, however, believe in fiscal responsibility. Where we differ is how to practice it.
Why, then, can we not discuss our opinions and come to a compromise?
The answer is simple: politics. We are unable to compromise because nearly every representative or senator is making decisions based not upon what is best for the American people but upon what it takes to get re-elected. Meanwhile, little gets accomplished.
Yet it is too simple to point our fingers at the politicians saying it’s their fault. How many of our homes, churches and communities are riddled with similar infighting? Baptists know well the pain of churches and even denominations splitting based upon such over-generalizations.
Writing to the Philippian church, Paul called upon the members to imitate Jesus in their relationships. He told them to act humbly by not thinking too highly of themselves, but by instead looking after others’ interests first. Paul realized that the church would have to deal with differences, and the best way to do that was to move forward in humility, considering every other person as a brother or sister with a valid viewpoint.
This chord is struck also in Romans, where Paul says, “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Rom. 12:18). This leads directly to the heart of the matter. Such harmony is meant not only within the church. We are to live in harmony with everyone.
Jesus taught a lot about dealing with opponents. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives many important commands. Three are love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you and do not judge. These commands deny us the privilege of using divisive rhetoric against anyone, whether a brother or sister in Christ with whom we disagree or someone we cannot stand because they oppose our most heartfelt convictions. How can we love those who differ with us if, by our very language, we are insulting and dehumanizing them?
Some say such an argument denies the ability to take a stand on an issue. That is not so. Both Jesus and Paul had firm beliefs and defended them among their opponents, but they reserved their harshest language for those who truly were misleading people and causing damage. Even in such instances, Paul reminds that if we do anything without love we are just a clanging cymbal (See I Cor. 13).
Looking upon national issues it is easy to feel helpless. What can we do about our divided country? Perhaps the best thing we can do is to start conducting ourselves out of a sense of respect and love for all. If enough of us start living this way, hopefully our elected leaders will see the wisdom in working together instead of against each other. A house divided cannot stand.
May we, through wisdom, begin to cooperate with one another to better our churches, country and world.