I don’t consider myself a “blogger” in any way, shape, or form, because that implies some sort of frequency of writing, which I clearly don’t follow. I write when there’s a hint of an idea burning in my conscience that won’t go away. I think of it as a digital diary of sorts. Right now, the things I can’t seem to get out of my head are an amalgamation of the Presidential election, police violence against African American men, violence begetting violence, and how the church talks about and treats the LGBT community. I know, all light topics, right? Don’t you want to invite me to your next dinner party??

Each topic by itself is incredibly complex and nuanced, and requires a high level of maturity and decorum to engage with. And I think that disqualifies me in some instances, but I am hungry to be open and honest about it with people who I don’t agree with.

It feels like a cop out of sorts to write about these things because it’s a one-way form of communication, but here’s my attempt at starting the discussion on a few of these things:

1.) The Lesser of Two Evils

Tonight is the first Presidential Debate between what many consider two terrible choices. The negative rhetoric on both sides is compelling and convincing. No two candidates have been more disliked by both people in their own parties and the other side. Many people in November will go to the polls just to keep their most-hated candidate out of office versus voting in someone they believe in.

Regardless of whether you couldn’t be more uninvolved or are ready to die on a hill for what you believe, here’s the question: what should our response as thoughtful, loving people be?

I’d like to offer one suggestion. ALL of us should continue questioning what we see or read on mainstream media. We should challenge random “facts” thrown out by either side, especially during debates. We should do our own research, and form opinions based on a sum of values, not on one or two issues. We should run towards hope, not be mired by fear. We should engage each other respectfully in conversations with people we disagree with to gain a better understanding of what influences their positions.

And of course, as Christians, we should pray. Regardless of who wins in November, we should pray for our future leader that he or she would make wise decisions that honor and respect all people who call America home, while maintaining tact and diplomacy with our foreign allies and enemies alike.

2. Acknowledge White Privilege

We cannot deny the discrepancy between the percentages of police violence against our black brothers and sisters. Do not try to minimize the #BlackLifesMatter movement with a plea that all lives matter, or blue lives matter. That is given. We all believe that (to varying degrees). Start recognizing what the movement is attempting to do which is to bring to light the systemic racism that exists today.

Start studying, readying, being enlightened about the history of policies in the U.S. dating back to the emancipation of slaves that have prevented African Americans from living out the American dream. Stop the false narrative that people should just be able to “pull themselves up by their boot straps” because you did. Recognize that your experience has been shaped by the color of your skin, and if you’re white, that you have an inherent advantage over other ethnicities.

For an excellent explanation of this, listen to the “Black and White” episode of The Liturgists Podcast.

3. Violence Begets Violence

The tragic and senseless shooting of the police officers in Baton Rouge and Dallas reminds me of a strong idea that was conveyed in the movie “Munich.” That is, that you cannot meet violence with more violence and expect a clean resolution. I was glad so many community leaders spoke out against the shootings as being unacceptable and unhelpful. The deranged actions of one or two cowardly men should not and cannot be answered with retaliation, hate, or anything except the continued dialogue about the number of deaths caused by guns in our country. The stats truly are staggering, and of course, I have personal reasons for having strong opinions on gun restrictions for the mentally ill (read more here). That said, we all should feel a personal responsibility to have a meaningful debate over the gun ownership laws in the U.S. without getting defensive or simplifying the issue by quoting the Second Amendment. The issue is complicated, and literally deadly. It can no longer be ignored, and we must demand more from our elected officials.

4. How Christians Engage with the LGBT Community

I know this is no longer “news” but I can’t get it out of my head. The Orlando shootings brought out the best and worst Christian response to the LGBT community that I’ve seen since the World Vision debate a few years ago. While many prominent leaders condemned the act that specifically targeted a gay nightclub as heinous, others created a clear divide between “Christians” and “gay and lesbian neighbors” as those two descriptions can’t co-exist. Worse yet, a small but loud group tried to explain away the tragedy as a sort of judgement from God. This is not only hateful, it is extremely dangerous. It perpetuates a picture of a God who doles out “justice” through mass murder instead of highlighting a God who looks like Jesus dying on the cross for each and every human life. For a thoughtful perspective on what the Christian response should have been, check out Matthew Vine’s Times op-ed after the massacre.

Here’s the thing: I believe that all these nuanced-not-polite-dinner-conversation topics are all related. I know it sounds like I’m simplifying things, but it boils down to greed. In some cases, greed for actual money, as what I believe some of the gun rights debates are really about. In other cases, it’s greed related to status. That is, the influence in economics, politics, and culture that the current majority holds. There is a fear that change will lead to a lessening of this status, the way we view and assign worth to people who look, act, think, live, and love differently than us. And I am guilty of this myself, so I am speaking from a place of experience.

The truth is, though I hate to admit it, I am prejudiced against certain groups of people. (Prejudice as defined by “an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge.”) These groups include Trump supporters, people who don’t support LGBT rights, people who don’t understand white privilege, and more. There’s a whole list. And I judge them. Often without understanding or knowledge. This is like my virtual confessional booth, and I wish that a simple penance could be assigned to me, but the reality is that I am the worst of sinners in this regard.

“No one is free until we’re all free.” –Martin Luther King Jr.

And if I am not free of these preconceived, pre-assigned notions about groups of people, I can’t love them well. I can’t be at peace with them. I can’t live out the Great Commandment.

My only solution to my own prejudice is to start a discussion, and to those friends who are willing to engage with me on this, I want to say thank you. We might not agree, but I hope we can listen to each other.

[Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash]