Paranoia and peace
I wish we could have conversations about who will get our vote.
What I mean is that I wish a table full of friends who are voting for different candidates could enjoy a meal and some nice wine and share their views without anything but creative tension in the room.
In the United States, our republic functions best when people can do just that. Enjoy listening and sharing opposing views. Enjoy? Yes, because when we are curious, open-minded, and secure in ourselves we can listen and take in different points of view with an appetite for growth. We can affirm and thank those who have a different point of view for helping us become more aware, more in touch with humanity, and more well-rounded. All of which makes us better citizens, neighbors, and servants. And, all of which makes us better Christians (if that’s what we are).
I want to share my vote with you–not as a challenge or a put-down or a threat–but as a gesture of interest and respect for you. I want to listen to you talk to me about how you will vote. And I want to have an intelligent conversation about it.
What does “intelligent” mean? To me, it means I try to see things the way you see them. It means I ask questions that help me understand you better and better. It also means you do the same for me.
In the end, we may not change our minds about what or who will get our vote, but at least we have greater appreciation, respect, and understand for each other.
And isn’t that really more important to our everyday lives than who is in Washington?
Anger is not the real problem in our present electoral climate in the United States.
It’s fear. More precise, it’s paranoia.
And it is this paranoia that is making it impossible for people to enjoy the free exchange of ideas during the election cycle.
What is the antidote?
Ancient Christians had a saying: “Love casts out fear.”
What if every person of faith could make it a rule starting today that love would be their rule for this election cycle? What if every time we encountered someone in person or on social media, we made it our rule to love and serve them first? How would it change how we treat others? How would it change what we say and how we say it?
What if we followed the way of Jesus Christ that teaches us that love is manifest in service? And that there is no greater love than loving enemies (and political opponents)?
Paranoia is polluting this awful, ugly, un-Christian election season.
Let love be what clears the air.
Onward and upward.