Discussion Topic: Talking Politics
[Editors: One house-keeping note before we get started. In response to feedback from our readers we are going to reduce our posts to 2-per-week for the time being. Hopefully this will give everyone more time to read and ponder the posts we do put up, and possibly increase the opportunity for conversation in the comments (i.e. by not coming late to an old discussion).
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There are a number of you out there reading each week, and we realize most folks prefer to read anonymously than venture public comments. Foolhardy as we are, though, we’re going to venture to coax some of you out of silence with regular discussion topics. So be of good courage and join in. Right now we’re focusing on Christianity and Civic Life, with Greg Thompson guiding our discussion. We’ve chosen this topic both because we are fast approaching an historic inauguration in American politics—one that’s provoked new levels of rhetoric from all parties—and because often our denomination seems to reflect in its communal life the broader political and cultural divides of our country. We think this is worth discussing. As we do so, please keep Greg’s first post in mind, as well as our guidelines for discussion.
On to some questions to get us started:
1. What are the majority political commitments and climate of the immediate community in which your church ministers?
2. What is the tenor, in your experience, of political discussion (either formal or informal) amongst Christians you know?
3. What is the tenor, in your experience, of political discussion between Christians and non-Christians you know?
Posted: January 9th, 2009 under Cultural, Ethos, General.
Comments
Comment from chris giammona
Time January 10, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Living in Orange County, CA there is only one acceptable political party and that is the Republicans. It is cool to be a Christian and supporting “christian” causes is the norm.
I would assume that the vast majority of our congregation (90%) is Republican, but very open minded. Democrat is not a “dirty/bad” word. While the discussion at Saddleback this fall was evenly balanced, the majority of the audience was Republican and pro-life in particular.
I would agree with Jamison that the spirit of the conversations are civil, generous, and thoughtful. There is less animosity then ever before and people generally believe that Obama can deliver on his promise of a “better America”. People are more excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in the midst of very challenging times.
Comment from Ken Pierce
Time January 12, 2009 at 8:50 am
1.) The congregation is conservative and Republican. The surrounding community is overwhelmingly African-American and Democratic.
2.) Many Christians tend to be concerned most about the sins that would never tempt them –cultural sins– and less concerned about personal holiness and charity, mercy to the poor, etc. This colors their political conversation.
Still, we need to be careful to avoid the: “When I say it, it is well-reasoned political discourse; when you say it, it’s rhetoric and sloganeering” approach.
3.) Conversation across political lines is difficult –to hear what one another are really saying. My view is that the church ought to be cultivating principle, and the Christian ought to keep a jaundiced eye on both parties. When you say that, it sometimes softens the other side.
The best thing the Christian church could do is not to shy away from politics, to be silent or neutral, or state that God is unconcerned with political truth, but to deal humbly with principles and not be sullied by parties –to be prophetic against all the ills of the culture from abortion to exploitation, etc.
Comment from Jamison Galt
Time January 10, 2009 at 11:27 am
Here in Park Slope, Brooklyn, I’d guess that something like 75%–95% of our residents are staunch Democrats. And fiercely committed ones at that. Our neighborhood is wonderfully notorious for its civic activism and concern. These are not folks too busy with their own lives to be unconcerned for others, that much is for sure. Lots of non-profits and such. On Halloween the costumes of choice for young kids were Obamas and Joe-the-Plumbers- and Bridges-to-Nowhere—no joke. And when Obama won my 4-yr-old daughter was awakened at 1 a.m. to spontaneous fireworks and celebrations going off in the streets below us.
We have a wide swath of political commitment in our congregation, from Democrats to Libertarians, and it has been really healthy so far in terms of loving discussion and disagreement. I thank God for that peace and mutual challenge/edification. I hope that part of the reason this is the case is that we try to preach the gospel in both its personal and communal dynamics, and remind everyone that Christ is King, not any particular political party.
I can only speak of my own experience speaking with non-Christian friends from the neighborhood. Our conversations have always been civil and generous. I think that’s because they come in the context of friendship and mutual concern. We all feel like we’re on the same side with regards to raising a family in the city and caring for and serving our neighborhood. So friends are sometimes surprised at how much we have in common in our political hopes, and even more so at some of our very strong disagreements. I think—hope, at least—that we look like a ‘third way’ in that regard.