Fun with Facebook Part 1

So I have been having some fun with Facebook over the past year or so, and I'd like to share some of the fun that I've had. I've been inspired pretty strongly by both Ben Palmer and the excellent books from Ted L. Nancy.

This will be the first of many.

Can't we all just get along?

I've noticed a growing trend within Christianity in America that I find rather alarming. As is obvious, the church is split on many issues; gun control, the refugee crisis, homosexuality, stem cell research, etc. And while it seems as though most of the positions are either For or Against, there actually runs a whole spectrum on each issue with people all over the place.

This is understandable, as we all have different perspectives based upon our experiences, our backgrounds, and the way we're wired. This is normal and expected. The issue that I see, however, is rigid militant arrogance on both ends of the spectrum for most of these issues.

Understanding that everyone is an individual and thinks about things differently, for the sake of discussion, I'm looking at two groups which encompass a lot of the passionate, albeit brash, voices out there: Conservative Evangelicals and Progressive Christians. This is not to say that everyone who fits in one of these camps (myself fitting into one of them) holds this attitude, but this is where it is most prevalent. Also, I am considering both of these groups as people who are genuinely trying to follow Jesus the best way they know how.

From the Conservative Evangelicals you run into the "The Bible says it; I believe it; so that settles it." mindset. I think it's the "so that settles it" part that is harmful. This stance doesn't allow for alternate interpretations of the Bible. It discourages questioning the meaning and role of the text. The person with this mindset assumes that their view is THE correct view and they cannot be wrong, because it's what the Bible says; it's what they've been taught; it's how they grew up. To them, people who hold a different view don't take the Bible seriously; they don't have strong enough faith; (some say) they aren't believers at all.

On the Progressive Christian side, you see "I don't know how anyone can believe that anymore." This group doesn't necessarily feel like they have all the answers, but since they generally (anecdotally speaking) come from the Conservative Evangelical background, they believe they know that the Conservative Evangelicals are wrong. They know what they DON'T believe. While they won't directly say it, they'll insinuate that the other perspective is ill-informed, ignorant, or even stupid. They will make sarcastic remarks about the way "the other side" thinks. They vehemently lift up "the other" while at the same time "othering" Conservative Evangelicals.

I don't think this is the intent of either group, but it's there.  Don't believe me? Read the comments section on any blog about any divisive issue. I'd like to chalk this up to the impersonal nature of the internet, but it happens between people in the real world too. I am guilty of having made sarcastic remarks about peoples' beliefs that I disagree with. While I feel like I'm more cognizant of it now, I'm sure I have quite a way to go.

Where is the grace? How can we encourage one another to live with humility and empathy? How can we see eye to eye even though we disagree with each other? While it seems simple, trite, and maybe a bit naive, I really think that answer is Jesus.

"O come desire of nations bind in one the hearts of all mankind.
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease, and be Yourself our King of Peace."