Unite
Tweet from House Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) 10:24 AM · Feb 1, 2021, “The Republicans have been calling Democrats the radical left. Time to call Republicans the terrorist right?”
Several years back, a friend was working on her doctorate in education. She was told by one of her professors that all the white students would be standing in front of the class and admitting publicly that they were racists. She refused, because she was not a racist in any way shape or form. In fact, she was a phenomenal teacher to all of her largely inner-city students. She loved them, treated them with dignity, and challenged them to be their very best. She was the kind of teacher you look back at 10 years later and realize just how big a part they played in your success. White, yes: Racist, no. She passed her class, remaining fierce in challenging what she saw as wrong, and never backing down.
A young man at a well-known Catholic College had to make the choice of weather to write what he believed to be accurate about topics like climate change in his academic papers or tell his professors what they wanted to hear. Looking back at all the environmental hyperbole that had been forced on him in his primary school education, he chose the former and paid a significant price in his GPA. His thinking was more in line with Michael Shellenberger, an environmental advocate and Time Magazine “Hero of the Environment,” who wrote the book Apocalypse Never after witnessing his daughter and her friends becoming distraught over end of the world environmental catastrophism.
Hasn't it become clear to all of us that whatever COVID-19 is, the panic around it has been overblown for political purposes? Look at all the conflicting information that has been presented to us as fact over this past year. What is the truth? Nobody seems to know. And yet, so many are wrapped in abject fear promoted in order to profit the powerful.
The above are all examples of real issues that have become political and at the same time expose the divided worldview that seemingly makes near term unity an impossibility. We are indeed a country with divided politics, but the politics is a symptom of the greater divide in worldview. The reality is that the country is made up of almost equally divided numbers of people with two sharply different perspectives.
One group has a communal view of the world. Their source of purpose and meaning comes from a feeling of belonging in something bigger than themselves, and their greatest fear is being ostracized (canceled) from that group. They have generally not been taught critical thinking skills in our schools and rely more on their feelings. Others have taught them that bad feelings have been imposed on them by oppressors. Most in this group want to believe what people around them believe and are willing to trust celebrities and experts without question if that enables them to be included. If the group moves in a new direction, they are more than willing to go along to remain part of the group. A meeting of these types of people might include “repeat after me chants.” Asked what they think of their political opponents, they are likely to call them evil, racist, or white supremacist and direct hate toward a particular set of individuals that have been villainized for that purpose. When they say “Unite” they mean that those who disagree with them should stop being so selfish and go along with the beliefs of their group.
The other group believes in the power of the individual, and thus includes many of the faithful from religions that believe in individual salvation. They mostly want to be left alone to go about their life without undue interference. Their source of purpose and meaning may come from their faith or from individual achievements like starting a successful business. The fear they most often share with those of like mind is being homogenized into a non-person. These folks are generally more skeptical of government, elites, and experts. Some have critical thinking skills and will research information that doesn’t sit right with them to see if what they are being told is true. They trust raw data for decision making but are finding it harder to access this in this environment of information manipulation. If their friends and allies propose something new, they will take time comparing it to the old before acceptance (thus the label conservative). They are not always in touch with their own feelings nor those of others around them. A meeting of these people could feel like a backyard BBQ, unless there are contentious issues on the table in which case it is likely to become a shouting match. When asked about their political opponents, they are likely to call them ignorant. They hate being called names like “racist” which doesn’t apply to them personally nor to almost anyone they know. Stretching the definition of racist to mean all white people, as some are now doing, only gets them angrier. To this group “Unite” would likely mean agreeing on a set of principles and concepts that all can work from. Someone presenting themselves as a leader in these circles would likely be questioned closely and asked to earn trust through their actions before being accepted.
Taking advantage of our divisions, as he will always do, is the enemy of our human nature, Satan. He loves divisiveness and hatred and all that come with them. Yes, underlying our cultural battle is the spiritual battle that has been on since the beginning of time, and it is currently raging out of control.
This cultural divide makes unity extremely unlikely right now, but is there room for some peaceful exchange? Some type of cross group reconciliation, or at the very least growth in understanding, had better be in the offing in the very near term if our county is to avoid a breakup, cold civil war, or God forbid an actual civil war. But how, with the divide so deep?
First and foremost, the time for watching the forest fire from the sidelines is over! Whether you are up for fighting the Devil or not, he is fighting you. He has literally surrounded all of us in a ring of fire, and the only non-catastrophic option left is to get involved.
Second, use the tools the Lord has given you, Love, reason, empathy, etc. Hate can only be overcome by Love and understanding. Ignorance is conquered by the application of solid reason (critical thinking) in the face of the falsehoods offered by the father of lies. These tools are at your disposal to encounter the other in hope, regardless of how far apart you seem to be. Honest questions are your friends in this endeavor, you will not close the gap with statements or accusations. Remember that you look at the world differently than those you encounter.
Third, find your particular purpose. Pray and ask God to show you the specific path He has chosen for you. This is your way to fulfilment and meaning. One hint here, the harder it feels the more you will grow and thrive. Once you are on your way, link up with those who share your mission.
Fourth, let go of your fear, it is the enemy’s favorite tool. You will overcome it by walking through it not by hiding from it.
Fifth, lead! We live in these times because we are the ones chosen for them. The leader you are waiting for is most likely you, so long as you are willing to walk humbly in the Lord’s footsteps.
You can play a part in changing the course of our country by whatever small act of reconciliation you can be a part of. You can help that teacher not have to fight so hard to remain true to herself. You can help that student not be penalized for politically incorrect speech. You can help free the people wrapped completely in the chains of Covid fear. You can tip the playing field away from the darkness of Satan and toward the direction of the Father of Light. Your faith filled quest is the answer to your questions of purpose and meaning. God is asking you to step up now!
Ask Jesus to show you the way, and He will not only do that, He will walk right by your side throughout, until one day when your purpose has been fulfilled He brings you home.