What an eventful two months we have had in America’s political system! Since June 27th, we’ve had perhaps the most impactful presidential debate in modern American history, an attempted assassination on former president Trump, President Biden’s decision to step down from the nomination, Vice President Harris’ elevation to the top of the Democratic ticket, two vice presidential picks, and two conventions.
Unfortunately, none of these events seem to have improved the toxic polarization that stains American society. The Pew Research Center regularly releases information about these divisions; an August 26, 2024 release is typical: “The Political Values of Harris and Trump supporters: Wide differences over cultural issues, role of government, and foreign policy.” The Political Values of Harris and Trump Supporters | Pew Research Center
They write, “Some of the widest gaps between Harris and Trump supporters are on issues that have divided Americans for decades, such as the role of guns in society, race, and the legacy of slavery. In addition, voters who back Harris and Trump have sharply different views on immigration, gender identity, and whether society should prioritize marriage and having children.”
These differences of opinion make it difficult for us to enjoy time spent with loved ones, colleagues, and other members of our churches. Spending time on social media makes our blood pressure rise. Is it too early yet to dread Thanksgiving dinner and the relative who drives us crazy? All too often, conflict escalation is a much more typical path than reconciliation.
And yet, Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5 that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. “God was reconciling the world to himself through Christ, by not counting people’s sins against them. He has trusted us with this message of reconciliation.” The Holy Spirit both calls and equips us to work for shalom in the midst of toxic polarization.
To help you live into this call, the Synod is partnering with Science for the Church (www.scienceforthechurch.org) to offer two webinars called “The Psychology of Polarization” between now and the election. Science for the Church engages the hard sciences and Christianity to strengthen the church. In past years, they have offered workshops on racism and mental illness, and they have been excellent.
Although all of the details are not yet complete at this newsletter’s press time, we are hoping to provide two midweek zoom workshops during the first three weeks of October. Each workshop will be an hour and a half, with a presentation by and Q&A with a scholar with recent work on polarization, and then a facilitated conversation about how the church can build our capacity to defuse toxic polarization. I encourage you to watch the Synod’s facebook page and website for details, which should be available as soon as next week.
Your partner in ministry,
Rev. Charles B Hardwick, PhD
Executive
309-530-4578
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