Half the country disagrees with you. Maybe even half of your family.
Twenty-twenty brought into sharp focus the viral ferocity that divides U.S. on life and death subjects. Systemic racism, pandemic mask-wearing, presidential politics, and the prolonged circus around the election results are just a few of the most obvious.
Every issue collided in the person of President Donald Trump. His lightning rod personality and unconventional Presidency compelled us to evaluate issues based on our opinions of his character, bluster, fortune, morality, motives, and policies.
The social media echo chamber amped up our convictions, and demonized those who disagreed with us. Whatever beliefs we fashioned were justified by our preferred chorus of pundits, pollsters, prophets, and profits.
In our Christian tradition, preachers on the left and right contorted scripture and filled pulpits with, “Thus saith the Lord,” proclamations in unwavering defense of their politics. Books were published, intercessions made, sacred assemblies convened, and laments cried. Viral YouTube prophesies attacked and defended the President. Perhaps your tweets, comments, or captions contributed to the chaos?
Now, just weeks after the most divisive election in our collective memory, we prepare to commemorate Christ’s birth at family tables that will likely include otherwise beloved relatives who passionately believe the polar opposite than us. We will likely share eucharist with divided congregations, and certainly with a divided body of Christ.
Political disagreements are not new. Even Christ’s birth was met with genocide from an egomaniacal king who felt politically threatened by the baby born in a Bethlehem barn.
The genius of America is a governmental system designed to function despite political factions. But the present level of disagreement has mired our government in an embarrassing state of dysfunction. Our leaders have devolved into partisan hacks who demonstrate only how to scream past each other while fomenting rage among their base. Worse, they have wedged brother against brother, neighbor against neighbor, donkeys against elephants, red against blue.
People are dying from the stalemate. Literally – 300,000 from COVID-19 alone – and emotionally from the thousands of burned-out friendships.
The Ten Commandments explicitly condemned physical murders, and Jesus showed how this applied to emotional murders that are committed within the heart.
In his historic “Sermon on the Mount,” Jesus said:
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. … Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-23).
In the midst of all this, what might Christmas offer that can help us manifest, “Peace on earth, good will towards men”? Even though right now we can’t stomach those who voted differently than us (let alone embrace joyfully), remember that our youth are still watching. What might the Prince of Peace say about our current Christmas calamities?
First, stop. Stop demonizing, condemning, and confusing as enemies those who disagree with your politics. Even if you have actual enemies, stop striving to defeat them. Try this instead: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).
Second, listen. Listen to the people with whom you disagree politically. Listen not as a tactic to ultimately win the argument, or to feign agreement. But because you want to rediscover their humanity and to relearn how to empathize despite disagreement.
Third, repent. Repent even if you didn’t mean any harm. Repent even when you had no idea that your ignorance might hurt someone. Repent on behalf of social sins you may not have directly caused, but from which you directly or indirectly benefit.
Fourth, release. Release the need to be right all the time. Release the power that holds you tightly. Release the possessions, prestige, and privilege you scrapped and clawed to obtain.
Finally, forgive. Forgive those whose demagoguery offends you. Forgive those whose arrogance caused you harm. And forgive yourself for resorting to your own basest human instincts in attempts to win political arguments.
If this sounds idealistic, meditate on Paul’s Christmas reflections:
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.”
The apostle then itemizes the implications of tender-heartedness:
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Paul points us to the sterling example of Jesus:
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:1-7, NLT).
Humility goes a long way in Christ’s kingdom economy. It’s the antidote to the hubris of self-righteousness that fuels disconnection. Adults, it’s the “same-attitude” as Christ mandate that will bring tranquility to times like these when our youth are looking to us to help make sense out of the nonsense.
A humble spirit is the key to fostering fellowship; cultivating tenderness and compassion; finding agreement; and working together. It inoculates against selfishness and prefers the interests of others. It relinquishes privilege and serves without expectation.
Humility just might be the Christmas vaccine for our viral dysfunctions.
-Jeremy Del Rio, Esq. is the Executive Director of ThriveCollective.org
