As we are about enter a new era of American Life we stand at a crossroads. The political climate is poised on a precipice and we have a choice to make. Do we practice politics as usual or do we transform our methods.
Over the last 16 years we've seen incredible schisms in our culture in the arenas of politics and religion. During the administration of President Clinton the political and religious Right distinguished itself by opposing everything he tried to do and searching and waiting for any little reason to blast him and in the end impeach him. In this way they became mostly irrelevant. During the administration of President Bush the Left took over that job and likewise rendered themselves ineffective and irrelevant by opposing any and every move he made.
Today we stand at the precipice of a new and historic time in our country. On Tuesday we will inaugurate the first African-American President in our nations history. Barack Obama will make history no matter what he does. Will the Right again choose dogma over effectiveness?
There have been two Christian men, one from the Right the other from the Left, over the last several years who have managed to live very relevant lives. Billy Graham has been one of the most prominent voices of conservative Christianity for more than half a century. During that time he has been friends with every President, Republican or Democrat. He has not added his voice to chorus of rants from other Christians and so he found himself inside their circles of influence. He has led very influential life.
Bono the lead singer of the rock band U2 has been a powerful voice from the Christian Left. Like Graham he has been willing to work with leaders on the Left and the Right. He has taken flak from many of like mind for sitting down with leaders on the right like Rick Santorum, Rick Warren and George W. Bush. Because he was willing to work with people he may not always agree with he too has led a very relevant life.
I write this post as someone who not too long ago considered himself a member of the political and religious Right. I don't really consider myself right or left at this time and definitely not religious. I want to urge my friends on the Right to try a new tactic. Let's not cling to dogmatic and divisive ideals. Lets choose our battles wisely and more importantly lets find common ground where we can work together and make history as people who were willing to work together and not as those opposed everything our first African-American President tried to accomplish.
I have included a video of Bono receiving the 2007 Liberty Medal from George H. W. Bush as evidence of a relevant life. Let's make ourselves relevant too!
The Deepest Love in the Darkest Place
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2 comments:
Paul:
The word that comes to mind is fear which is grounded in immaturity or impure love. I am always reminded of our Founders when I think of the examples you gave of irrelevance. Some of the most spirited debates in our nation's history occured between the men who unanimously pleged "...their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor" yet they were able to do so without schism and with great positive effect.
At some point, we have to remember that we should be bridge builders. If we allow our belief systems to be a bulwark against dialogue we will be as effective and as irrelevant as the Great Wall was at keeping the Mongols at bay.
Fearless means having conviction while also being able to relinquish an impure belief developing understanding while still standing on principal. Earlier in our history this was known as statesmanship.
Ironically if we hold a narrow view we can only be a voice to people or groups we already agree with which as you say leads to non-influence. The very nature of influence means exercising suasion over those we do not fully or partially agree with.
Excellent post, my friend!
That's good stuff Donovan. I don't want anyone to read this and think I mean we have to agree on everything, just be civil in our disagreements, and search for places we can agree.
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