On Politics
January 14th, 2008 | by Scott |I know I’m in the minority. I know that. Probably 90% of my friends and family disagree with me politically. My vote come November probably won’t matter a lick in the grand scheme of things.
I was a fairly die-hard Republican for many years, serving at one point as President of my county’s Young Republicans. That has changed drastically over the last few years for a lot of reasons and a lot of times, outside of a few online friends, I often feel alone. I was outed this weekend at church on my place on the political spectrum and I know, that at a more judgmental place, it would be a major issue.
That’s a hard position to be in and I sometimes grow tired of having to defend my views. And yet at the same time I enjoy the conversation and debate. Especially when it is done civilly and remains focused on the issues. The nonviolence series I did a year or so ago is a great example of that rational and spirited exchange of ideas. For the most part I felt it was productive and although we did not come to consensus we were able to see other points of view.
But I shut down when I feel that people just won’t listen to my point of view and cloud the issue by resorting to ad hominem or phrases such as “I just can’t understand how anyone…” Having been on both sides of the political fence it is easy to see how both parties are gifted at vilifying, demonizing and castigating each other. As a result, major issues are often left unaddressed in favor of launching cliches and semantical sleight of hand in order to deflect any nuance in positions. Hillary Clinton is not the antichrist nor does the election of Mike Huckabee usher in the end times (although I’m strongly opposed to his election :D)
One of the biggest hurdles I had to face in my political shift was overcoming the incredibly false and judgmental notion that, in order to be a true and faithful Christian, one had to be a right wing Republican. That belief, as hideous and arrogant as it might be, was entrenched in my thinking. As a pro-life Democrat I acknowledge that both sides, when conflating politics and faith, often have to decide between the two. My faith informs my politics and I can give a spiritual answer for all of my beliefs just as my Republican brothers and sisters can.
I say all that to say this: we need one another. Christian Republicans (or is it Republican Christians?) need to listen to those who find themselves on the other side of aisle. Our claims that being pro-life extends beyond the womb are points that need to be acknowledged. Our concern for the least of these is worthy of discussing.
And likewise Christian Democrats (or is it Democratic Christians?) need to listen to the struggles with choice and their deeply held beliefs that their way of life is being jeopardized with the progressive momentum of society.
There is much that we can learn from one another and if we commit to raising the level of political discourse then the Kingdom benefits from our being able to agree to disagree without resorting to name-calling and dismissals of the others position.
America is a fallen nation and, like all fallen institutions, is unable to provide perfect solutions to life’s ills. Therefore no political position can make perfect what is broken. There is no perfect platform or unassailable position. The only way forward is for us to engage one another critically yet lovingly as we seek to be salt and light in a fallen world. To be the Kingdom come. If we operate under the assumption that our politics, our economic understanding, our own system of morality is normative for all then we miss out on what we can learn from one another and set ourselves up as mini-gods with the false belief that we are the standard bearers for all that is good and decent and right.
This election year I want to begin to lay out my political positions with the understanding that, in the end, no political position can redeem this world. Can we do so by engaging the issues and the issues alone? Let’s enjoy the discussion and use it as an opportunity to be better people.
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16 Responses to “On Politics”
By Mike the Eyeguy on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
I can handle you being a tree-hugging progressive. I just can’t understand how anyone could embrace the Arkansas Razorbacks and hate the Duke Blue Devils.
I’m sorry, but sometimes you just have to take a stand on the truth.
By Scott on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
Mike, there was no Duke Kool-Aid growing up in Little Rock.
By justin on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
I hope you can see where I’m trying to do better about being an ass, and trying to understand how people come to certain conclusions.
I do slip up occasionally, but overall, I’ve at least tried to change the tone of my arguments from condescension to questioning.
By Jonathan on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
I think discussion benefits tremendously from the inclusion of statements like “I can understand how…” and “admittedly…”. To acknowledge and (at least partially) validate another’s point of view and affirm that he/she is not a clueless idiot helps foster productive discussion rather than bickering, in my opinion. It’s very frustrating when the response to a point I make is simply another counterpoint without any acknowledgment of common ground or validity in the original point.
I’m sure I do all of the above negative things all too frequently, but (in theory at least) I do try to remember to emphasize areas of common ground in addition to disagreement and not to pretend that my point of view is the only one that a reasonable person could hold.
By Scott on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
Justin, progress is all that any of us can hope for.
Jonathan, I think you are right that emphasizing areas of common ground is the correct way to proceed. So much of the political discourse is talking over each other. We can watch the news channels to see that the way to win an argument is to talk the loudest and be the most disruptive. I had an individual tell me recently that the liberal positions defy all common sense. It’s a shame when you dismiss someone out of hand like that.
By greg on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
To love Duke basketball is the only point of view that a reasonable person could hold. To not do so defies all common sense.
By justin on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
This thread is ripe with jokes.
I don’t care what letter comes after a politician or commentators name, if their understanding of things is nuanced, I will listen to what they have to say. If there’s a lack of nuance, meaning, if your argument is based in the other person being stupid, then there’s no use having a discussion.
And I feel like the Republican party, one that used to be about ideas, right or wrong, is now the party of platitudes and pandering. No better example than the debate in South Carolina where John McCain’s response to Ron Paul’s talk of trading and being peaceful with Muslim countries was, “I don’t want to trade with them cause all they trade is burkas”
Same happens with the democrats though. Whenever I hear “Rethuglicans” or “Democommies” or anything like that, I assume that no one in that situation wants to listen to the other side.
By That Girl on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
YOU’RE A DEMOCRAT???
By greg on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
Off topic - how far are you into Jacobs’ book? I just got notified this weekend that it’s now in at the library (I had a hold on it) and I’ll be picking it up later this week.
By Scott on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
Terri, no. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
Greg, I’m about 100 pages in. I should be further along but I’m not reading as much these days. It’ll pick back up. But it’s a fun read. Worth digging into.
By Lane on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
What I think is sad is the harsh correlation between religion and politics.
People still ask the sad question of “Are you liberal or conservative” around these parts. Why does it matter? I am searching for the truth in religion.
Same thing goes with politics. “Are you a democrat or republican?” Does it really matter? I want what is best for this country. I want what is best for the poor, the down-trodden, and those who are about to just plain give up.
I want someone to fight for the middle class, the poor, and the rich. We’re all entitled to the same rights. I want someone who is pro life, pro love, anti war, and will reach out to those in need. Unfortunately, Jesus isn’t running for President, although I recently heard a class by Shane Claiborne do a class on that very topic.
By Jason Bybee on Jan 14, 2008 | Reply
“That’s why you just shouldn’t vote at all,” said the David Lipscomb student.
By scott on Jan 15, 2008 | Reply
I think it does matter and I think there is some value in voting. As I said I believe that America and, by extension, our government are fallen entities. Yet God still works through fallen structures. He uses the church, for example, and He is not above using the nation-state. I see that exemplified in the life of Paul who was not above utilizing his Roman citizenship when the time came for it.
We operate within broken systems each and every day: church, state, schools, families and our decisions in each of these areas matter. It is how we engage and seem to transform and redeem. It is the mindset that we don’t emphasize “not of this world” over above “in this world” as we have so often done.
By Jason Bybee on Jan 15, 2008 | Reply
I was just kidding. Sort of.
By Tara on Jan 15, 2008 | Reply
Scott,
I think we are all nervous about November - so much is at stake. I’ve often thought if our sworn leaders served in a volunteer capacity instead of such high paid positions - perhaps things would be much different, and for the betterment of America and our children’s future.
I long for leaders who will return America to the wholesome principles our country was founded upon. I long to see our rights to freedom of worship preserved. I want my children to live in a safe community with clean air and water. I’m concerned the middle class may not survive under their tremendous tax burden, the outsourcing of American jobs overseas, the rise in costs of healthcare or lack of it, and the moral decay of society.
No one president, election, or political party will be a quick fix to America’s problems. Only One can Redeem, Revive, Comfort, and Heal. May God give us all wisdom as we prayfully weigh our political options and vote accordingly.
May God continue to Bless the USA and the world.
By Belinda on Jan 17, 2008 | Reply
from Tara, “I long to see our rights to freedom of worship preserved.”
I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Are we in danger of this happening?