Navigating a Difficult Political Season
I was stopped by a couple of church members this week anxious about the current political climate and navigating their Faith groups (classes, circles and Sunday school) with people that believe or vote differently than they do. So I decided to focus on this topic in my blog to help us find a way forward together that doesn’t fracture or destroy the body of Christ at Faith UMC. I want to start with a few things that we already know from previous cantankerous political seasons.
1) We know that whichever party is NOT currently in power will demonize the party that is currently in control. This is the way we have functioned for decades. Those out of the presidential office will try to convince us that it will be the end of the world if we don’t make a change. And more recently in history, those in power will try to convince us that the potential enemy of the other party must be stopped or it will be the end of the world as we know it.
2) We know that most Americans all want the same things- safe communities, happy children, access to good health care and a comfortable life. We are pretty basic regardless of race or economics.
3) Social media has taught us that blasts of verbiage is an acceptable form of communication and there is no requirement to do any listening. We have failed to learn how to listen, understand or empathize with the other. We have stopped dialogue that requires a back and forth of speaking and listening. People will most likely dig in rather than have their opinion influenced or change their mind.
With these things in mind, I ask you to NOT ASSUME that everyone agrees with you. Because I guarantee you that we have Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, Moderates, Progressives, Conservatives and more in this congregation. We are a beautifully diverse body of Christ. If someone in your group starts down the politics trail, please say to them “Pastor Heather would like us to focus on our faithful responses to what is happening in the world rather than which party or candidate that we support.” I am not asking you to bury your head in the sand, because that is impossible. But I am asking to to focus your conversations around “What does Jesus say about __________ ?” This could be justice, poverty, immigrants and refugees, how we treat others, etc. I want you to focus on what does Jesus say and what is a faithful response as a follower of Jesus to these things. .
Until November our social media, phones, mail boxes, radios, news stations will be filled with messages to sway us. Often these are messages of doom designed to motivate us with fear. Statistics say that 60% of people are motivated by fear. Politicians know this. Marketing teams know this. Pundits know this. It is all intentional. My husband and I have started listening to the BBC for news because it offers us views that are not tied to American politics. We have also discovered 1440 news which appears to be unbiased to us as well.
I trust you Faith. You are a congregation of thinking, loving and faithful people of God. You will not all agree, and that is ok. During this season, let us not be moved by fear but by faith. Faith in God and faith in each other. May we love each other and support each other even if we vote differently. One of our members, Sharise Smock, posted on her facebook page this quote “Don’t damage friendships over politicians who don’t even know your name. You can have differing political views and still treat each other with kindness and respect.” by Yolanda Clark. If you need to, I encourage you to unplug from media as much as possible and surround yourself with people who are kind, respectful and affirming. Rev. Adam Hamilton is focusing on Do Unto Others for this season. He is asking his congregations to focus on the Golden Rule to get us through. I think that is a great idea.
May God give us strength and hold us together through this difficult political season.
