THE PARTY LINE

Let’s start today with a word of caution: today’s blog will upset many. My apologies. I have no desire to upset you. My goal is simply to handle truth well and to dialogue respectfully. Sometimes truth upsets us, as it forces us to examine our thinking. Some of that thinking we’ve long held with solid, strong, seemingly confidently clenched fists; it is painful to admit some ideals have been wrongly - or perhaps, stubbornly - clenched.

Contrasting that pain, sometimes we are instead angered by truth, which usually reveals we may have most to learn. The wise man realizes there is always more to learn; the wise man knows his thinking should never be free from examination. Thus, I humbly offer one more nugget of wisdom: belief alone does not make something right.

In our inaugural November 4th posting, the following election learning was presented: “Jesus would not be a Democrat OR a Republican.” I was delighted to hear the echoing “amens”... even from those for whom “amen” is not included in their accustomed Sunday morning rhetoric.

Yet I wonder if we realized what truth our amens were affirming...

The paradox undoubtedly develops as each of us enjoys the public declaration that our so-called opposing party has yet to corner the market on righteousness (... note that self-righteousness also remains up for grabs). The clever sneer emerging from our un-pried lips forgets that our party falls into the same bracket of untruth. Some of us are so loyal to one political party, we ignore the fact that Jesus would most likely have a few issues with our platform as well.

For Democrats, my sensitive stab is Jesus would have a few problems with how they handle certain social issues. For Republicans, my equally sensitive stab is Jesus would have a few problems with how they handle certain social issues. And for both established parties, my not-so-sensitive stab is Jesus would be disgusted with the lack of respect they offer one another.

Let me not suggest that any of us have the thinking of Jesus entirely deciphered. That is exactly the point we tend to miss. But it sometimes seems as if we sell our souls for a decidedly greater good, instead of having the courage, integrity, and humility to admit that “it’s not all good.” For example, we know now that political earmarks are spending directives subtly inserted into legislation, designed to avoid both congressional debate and public scrutiny. We are outraged when millions of dollars are inserted by a member of the opposing party! But when the inserter is supposedly “one of our own,” we tend to either ignore or divert attention. Remind me what courage it takes to ignore.

We have failed to realize that loyalty sometimes obstructs integrity. Party loyalty often breeds both ignorance and polarization. Ignorance and polarization fail to comply with those who ask “What Would Jesus Do.”

What would Jesus do? Great question. Perhaps we should ask.

AR