Intelligent People Disagree
Now, there’s a phrase I wish I would hear more of. It is election season, and that just brings out the fight in some people. I find myself living in a town and attending a church where my political views are not accepted or even respected. People who dare to put a certain candidate’s sign in their yards here will wake up to find it missing. Bumper stickers are peeled off of cars, if you are lucky. If you are one of the unlucky ones, your car will be keyed.
I will admit that this all baffles me. Is disagreement that dangerous? Does the majority here feel so threatened and unconfident in their views that they must destroy those who disagree? Or at least destroy the evidence of the disagreement. The fact that I may vote differently from others around here does not mean that I am a threat, or that I am stupid, or uninformed, or that I am an unbeliever.
Let me give you some examples of verbal attacks and arguments I have faced over the past few weeks. I have a Facebook account. One of my Facebook friends was in a discussion/debate with a girl who likes Obama, but who could not back up anything she said. My friend had some clear, legitimate reasons for liking McCain. But rather than depend on those reasons and just trying to win her over to his side with logic, he kept adding, “…and besides, you CANNOT be a Christian and like Obama.”
Well, that bothered me enough that I posted as my Facebook status, Chewymom “is wondering why people say you can’t be a Christian and vote for Obama. Um, I believe that Christianity is about Jesus death on a cross, not our voting record!” And THAT, my friends, prompted some real ugliness. Not all irected at me, but also directed at a friend of mine who does not even claim to be a Christian, but who is open about her pro-choice views, and directed at Chewydad. Christians hopped on my page and said things like, “Or would you rather have a president who may turn out to be another Adolf Hitler?” and “Supporting Obama is essentially supporting the murder of innocent children.” and in response to a pro-choice statement, “Thats about as pagan as it gets….I cant believe you would be in such defial of Gods very words.” and “HAHAHA! why should SINFUL people start worrying about making the world a better place.”
I could go on and on, because the comments went on and on, but I won’t on that issue. But in another place on Facebook, Chewydad was subjected to this remark because he did not think Palin was doing well in the debate. “I don’t like either candidate. However, I cannot and will not support any one who is a staunch supporter of abortion, period. There is not a lot of difference between the two in other items other than abortion. Obama is a NARAL poster child with a 100% rating including partial birth abortions. McCain is not.. The commandment: “Thou shall not kill” is not a suggestion. Supporting abortion is supporting murder, period. There are no other commandments that are as specific, period. Therefore, I can’t support anyone who has a Poe choice stance. Say what you want, there are no other choices.” Followed by this, “Right on…. Incredible that people think it is OK to ignore this. Willfull ignorance?”
And you know what? I REALLY RESENT this attitude! THIS is why disagreements divide us, and why people lose friendships and leave churches and such. It is such a pompous attitude to say, “I am right, and there is no room for disagreement. Anyone who disagrees with me is a pagan or ignorant, or an unbeliever.”
Y’all, it would be so much more productive to listen, with an open mind…and no, your brains won’t fall out, as that not-so-hilarious bumpers sticker states…to what others believe and why. I have posted about why I no longer feel compelled to always vote pro-life. Mainly, I think the movement is ineffective and often those who claim to be pro-life often do it to win votes, not because they are really going to DO anything to help the pro-life cause. You may argue that I am wrong, but nobody has the right to tell me that my name is not written in the book of life, or that Jesus’s blood no longer covers me, because of the way I choose to vote.
Another issue that recently came up, not politically, but in religious circles, was the issue of women. I heard someone teaching about the role of women and men in marriage. Frankly, I disagreed with what was said. I kept my mouth shut and didn’t say anything. I don’t have a problem with people teaching stuff I disagree with - in fact, I pretty much know that I’ll get that in my denomination. My problem is the attitude behind the teaching.
It could have been prefaced with, “this is what I believe” or “this is what our denomination believes, but this is one of those issues about which genuine believers disagree.” But instead it was peppered with “this is a very hard teaching, and if you disagree, I hope you can get past it and accept it because it is in the Bible.” There was no room for disagreement. No concession that fellow Christians disagree on the issue. The assumption was that if you don’t agree about submission, you must be immature, or you must not value Scripture, or more likely you are a strong-headed woman who is unwilling to submit. Y’all, I agreed with wifely submission for most of my marriage. I’m not sure I agree with the method of interpretation any more. I don’t want to turn this into a post about why I disagree, because that’s a different post. But I just want to hear some concession from those I disagree with that it is OKAY to think differently, and that it doesn’t make someone an unbeliever or a hard-headed woman, or someone who does not value Scripture and is refusing to submit to certain parts of it, or a poor, uneducated believer who just has not been taught well. Genuine, Bible-believing Christians disagree on the issue!
But that is not what I am getting on any front. The assumption seems to be that disagreement is dangerous, and those who are not in lock-step must be either rebellious, dangerous, or pagans. And therefore I am all of those things. Period.
And the problem I have is that this attitude elevates certain views–abortion, male-headship–above Scriptures that tell us that we are to be unified as a body. It places theology above the idea that one part of Christ’s body cannot function without the other. That we are above all to put on love. And that these are the things that will show the world that we are truly in Christ and will woo them to Him. Being “right” about abortion, or gun control, or economics, or wifely submission are not the most important aspects of Christianity. Love is.
I urge all of us to put on love. Whether we need to guard our tongue (or fingers) as we type on blogs and Facebook accounts and such, or whether we need to have a conciliatory attitude when we speak on difficult subjects, or whether we just need to get that darned plank out of our own eye so we can help remove our brother’s speck, I encourage all of us to put on love.
October 8th, 2008 at 5:24 am
So sorry you are experiencing such a backlash just for stating a divergent opinion! I feel for you, as I come from a small town and my relatives all live in Alabama. We’ve gotten some flack at family events just for saying we’re not voting for McCain (even though we’re not voting for Obama either!). We hold somewhat different political opinions from our parents, and so have tried to keep the political discussions to a minimum, but it still creeps in. On Facebook, too, I’ve tried to stay out of joining political groups just because I’m tired of the same old discussions. So I know a bit about the attitude to which you are referring, ESPECIALLY among Christians.
As I was reading your post, I kept thinking of thia quote: “In the essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” This is, of course, referring to our beliefs as Christians and I would definitely consider politics a non-essential. There are, of course, differences of opinion as to what constitutes essentials (which is why so many get fired up over something like abortion), but I think as far as beliefs go, the essentials are “knowing Christ and Him crucified” and those things held in the creeds. Other than that, show charity!
Thank you for your post and I wish more folks would heed Paul’s encouragement to “put on love.” Treating others who hold different opinions on anything, even the essentials, with respect and grace makes the internet (and the world in general) a much more pleasant place to be.
October 8th, 2008 at 6:41 am
I love your posts and this is a great one. I find it really interesting, especially coming from a ‘different but similar’ culture in the UK. Here the tie in between religious belief and political affiliation isn’t so strong, though it’s certainly still there in some quarters. And I’ve really struggled over the years with the attitude of some fellow-believers who give the attitude that you need to leave you’re brain at the door when you become a Christian, or to go on with the Christian life. Likewise with abortion. I’m absolutely not pro-abortion, but I think there are so many other issues involved than just saying ban abortion. It gets into so many areas about attitudes to disability, support for carers of people with disabilities, support for women who find themselves pregnant when they don’t want to be - I completely believe all children are a gift from God, but that’s not always how everyone feels on finding themselves pregnant. (Hands up here - I have to admit I cried, and not from joy, when I found out about one of my pregnancies, and I’m a financially stable, supported Christian woman. How much more difficult must it be for some women in a more vulnerable situation?) Plus, I don’t think that banning abortion actually stops all abortion - we go back to illegal back-street abortions and the well-off or educated being able access abortion somehow. Sorry Chewmom, that’s my rant, but I hope that I never have the attitude you talk of. Here’s to healthy, friendly disagreements, tolerance of others’ views and lots of thinking!
October 8th, 2008 at 8:05 am
So… friends… (I count Chewydad & Chewymom as DEAR friends)… of course we can hold different opinions about American politics and not fear eternal damnation! We still live in a country where we have the right to vote our consciense & we can all agree that THAT is a good thing! As to Facebook… it remains a bit of an enigma to me. The whole ’social networking’ thing is actually less of either it seems. When our ‘friends’ on Facebook, young & old (young is appropriate in this respect as the most vicious of the attacks on your status thread were from two young kids)get all up in arms over something we “say” on Facebook, we probably need a little more SOCIAL in our relationships. Some simple face time. So, Chewymom - when I get off this traveling treadmill I am currently on… shall the 4 of us carve out another of our long overdue dinners.
October 8th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Beautiful post!
October 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
This has just been the ugliest campaign, especially in the DS community. It’s frustrating, and I’m so glad that it will be over soon, one way or the other. I hate that people drag God and disability into it as absolutes, instead of focusing on all the issues. I admit, I am predominately a one issue voter — that issue is healthcare. I read so many blogs about kids — our kids with DS — whose families are struggling and it breaks my heart.
October 8th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Hi Chewymom! I’ve been following your blog for a few weeks now, and I really appreciate your perspective. I initally discovered you via a link on TulipGirl’s blog regarding some Ezzo info. Thanks for your writing about Ezzo. It’s good to know that other Christians are recognizing Ezzo for what he is - and isn’t.
This post is so interesting. I recently wrote a post along these lines on my own blog: http://notfinishedyet.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/question-judgements-not-motives/ I understand where you are coming from, because there was a time in my life when I, too, was one who thought it would be a good idea to steal candidate signs from the front yards of homes if I disagreed with the candidate. But, now I know that not only is that not a wise or loving idea, I know that the differences between candidates are not so simply defined anymore, and both parties are victims of corruption. I can understand what people find appealing about both candidates, as well as what people don’t like about both candidates.
I do not believe that God wants one particular candidate elected instead of another. God has promised to make everything work out for the good of his children, but he never promised to re-make nations into better, more Christian nations. In fact, we are told that the world is going to get LESS Christian the closer we get to Judgement Day. But, we’re certainly not alone in hoping that the government will become less corrupt and more Christian — even Jesus’ disciples often asked him when he was going to overthrow the Roman government. It’s important to keep in mind also that Christianity has often flourished under un-Christian governments!
Your final point about acting in love is heartfelt, but I would argue that “speaking the truth in love” means that both truth and love have to be held up equally. We can’t put unity above doctrine; both must be of equal importance. You are right in that we must put on love, and do everything in love, but at the same time we must not sacrifice truth. Even striving for Christian unity must not be put above truth, even though that striving must, as you say, be done in love.
As I see it, the REAL problem that you, Chewymom, are experiencing is not that certain political beliefs are being placed above the Biblical command to love. Rather, the problem is that political beliefs are being seen as divinely inspired, and promoting those political beliefs is becoming the mission of the church. Instead, we need to keep the mission of the church focused on the gospel, that gospel that says that ALL are sinners and in need of forgiveness, and that Jesus obtained that forgiveness by his perfect life and substitutionary death on the cross and resurrection on Easter. As you mentioned in an earlier post, the gospel is SO important! When you lose that focus on the gospel and lose that focus on heaven, the focus shifts to our lives here and now. The gospel reminds us that it’s not just about this world; the world to come is more important. But when Christians lose that focus, things become muddled, and fighting and name-calling begin.
In my opinion, both political parties are filled with corruption, and certainly neither one can claim to have any kind of mandate from God. I was raised believing that you always vote for the candidate promoting Christian morals, but, like you, I don’t know if that’s necessarily a good idea anymore. Plus, as I wrote in this post in my blog ( http://notfinishedyet.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/mixing-politics-and-religion/ ) I just don’t know if promoting Christian governmental policies is the best way to win people to Christ. And that’s what our lives are to be all about! We could create this wonderfully moral society filled with Christian virtues and traits, but if we haven’t shared the gospel with people (and instead have made them little Pharisees), then what good have we done them for eternity?
I feel your pain, Chewymom, and I hope you can continue to speak the truth in love to the people in your community.
Sincerely,
Emily
October 8th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
[...] her post Intelligent People Disagree, she talks about Christianity and politics, how they can cause problems when they are mixed [...]
October 8th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Isn’t it amazing how divisive WE can be when Christ was all about unity? It seems with that as the basic premise we can all see that we are doing SOMETHING wrong. HUGS my friend, I love you! And um….I agree with you.
October 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Thanks for the comments, y’all. It’s nice to know that I’m not the only person who thinks this way!
Glenn, I wanted to point out that there have been vicious comments from young and old alike. The interesting thing about those who have been especially ugly on Facebook is that with only one exception they are all both associated with our church and with the local Christian school.
You are not the first person to assume it is youthful exuberance, but I will tell you that I have over 300 Facebook friends, about 1/2 of whom are college age and below. NO other friends on Facebook are behaving in this way–at least not that I have seen. Somehow the others are showing more self-restraint, even though they may speak passionately about the candidates and the issues. They are able to do so without attacking others or assuming ill-intent. Also, it is not only young people - there have been several adults involved either in the ugly comments (and emails), or at the least supporting those who make those remarks.
I find the whole thing very disturbing…obviously.
October 10th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Loved reading this post.
October 20th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I’ve been reading here for awhile; I first came to your website a few years ago to read your take on the Ezzos which was very helpful for me. I’ve kept up with what you’ve had to say about the upcoming election. I would never be so foolish as to judge your relationship with Christ; that is between you and Him. I just read an article on mommylife.net by Huntley Brown called “Why I Can’t Vote for Obama.” I immediately thought of you. He articulates very well why many of us Christians cannot vote for this man. You’ve explained on your blog why you support Obama; please read that article to understand why I and many other Christians cannot. I’m sure you’ve been subjected to some ugliness by others who call themselves Christians. Please understand that that goes both ways as there are many who have been called racist simply because we do not support him. Thank you for your time.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Preach it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
October 28th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
[...] For further reading, check this fine piece of chewymom writing out: Intelligent People Disagree [...]
October 28th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
THANK YOU!
October 29th, 2008 at 12:46 am
I’m with Molly and say Preach It Louder!!
October 29th, 2008 at 8:28 am
[...] Christians, it is an issue that many use to judge the faith of fellow believers. As I said in a previous post, a vote for Obama is a vote against Jesus, in the eyes of [...]
October 29th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Fear drives this compulsion to force agreement. May Christ’s love compel us to do all things for His glory and Kingdom.
October 29th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I wrote a similar sentiment recently in a couple of posts that I’d love for you to check out. You can find them here.