I am on the conservative side of our great political divide. I hope I do not lose any friends or readers because of that. You would not cease to be my friend if you told me you were on the other side. Approximately half of my fellow Americans are on the other side, and many of them have sacrificed much more to serve our great nation than I have. Many of my brothers and sisters in Christ are not on my side of this painful divide. I have good friends who are far to the left of me on the political spectrum. But we do not cease to be fellow Americans, brothers and sisters in Christ, and friends because of this. We are all complicated people with many faceted lives. We are much more than our political beliefs.
My understanding of faith and politics would put me on the same side as Charlie Kirk. I did not like everything Charlie Kirk said, and I did not always like how he said it. But I would agree with him on much more than I would disagree.
President Trump said that everyone loved Charlie Kirk. I am not sure what he meant by that, because many people hated Charlie Kirk with a passion, even to the point of rejoicing at his death. I read a few accounts of such rejoicing and dismissed them as isolated examples. Then, I began to read of many more people posting of their joy at his death. Then, I even heard of students at our own small town high school that were happy that this young husband and father of two was shot through the neck with a high-powered rifle in front of two thousand people. I am shocked and saddened by such rejoicing.
I always try to see things from the point of view of those with whom I disagree; you know, applying the old ‘walk a mile in the other person’s shoes’ principle. I tried to think of people with whom I have had strong disagreements. I thought of Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011). Hitchens was an outspoken, articulate, and powerful enemy of the Christian faith. What is worse, he was likable and widely read, and therefore, was able to do much harm to the faith of many Christians. I disagreed with him and disliked his work as much as anyone could. But when Christopher Hitchens died of cancer in 2011 at the age of 62, I did not rejoice, much less make a proud public display of my rejoicing. One more example. Melissa Hortman (1970-2025) was the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. In that position, she worked to pass much legislation that I did not believe was good for our state. But I grieved when she and her husband were murdered in their home last June. This does not make me a wonderful person. Every human being with a heart should have that reaction.
Charlie Kirk was an intelligent, articulate, and influential speaker. He was intentional about not only speaking, but engaging in dialog, taking the time to respectfully hear and respond to the beliefs of others. This is what he was doing when he was murdered.
This kind of debate and dialog is what we should all want. In a free society, it should be taken for granted that there be abundant opportunities for the free exchange of ideas. There must be such freedom of speech if a free society is to survive. We should welcome such dialog, not despise it. This is what Christopher Hitchens did, joyfully and respectfully engaging in debate and discussion with several Christian intellectuals. He was a friendly and likable fellow, and he became friends with many of his fiercest debate opponents. And as they debated, those who listened (including atheists there to cheer Hitchens) were given the opportunity to hear about Jesus from some powerful Christian speakers. That is what happens in a debate. Both sides can be heard.
I am not fond of Bill Maher as a person, and I agree with him on very little (though sometimes he surprises me; as I said, people are complex). But I do appreciate how Bill Maher will talk to anyone, have anyone on his show, and welcomes the opportunities to discuss and debate in the search for truth, without worrying about whose feelings might be hurt. Bill Maher had Charlie Kirk on his show, enjoyed the conversation, and said he was grieved at his death. Maher also said he is disgusted with those on his own side of the political divide who are rejoicing.
Charlie Kirk was good at making the case for what he believed. And one of the things he often had to do was “make the case for making the case” in a world where ‘feelings’ reign supreme. People would condemn him for making them mad or hurting their feelings, but he would respectfully try to show the need to get back to discussing the issue at hand. We need more of that, not less. That free exchange of ideas is what has made us strong. We must have the wisdom to continue in that freedom.
We have often heard that we should hate the sin, but love the sinner. In the same way, we may certainly hate the opinions of another person, but we can do so without hating the person holding that opinion.
That is what Jesus would want us to do.
—————————————–
“Too much agreement kills a chat.”
–Eldridge Cleaver
———
“I like the noise of democracy.”
Thomas Jefferson
———
“If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.”
Noam Chomsky
************************************
Matthew 5:43-44 — (Jesus said), “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Luke 6:27b-28 — (Jesus said), “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Romans 12:18 — If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
James 1:19-20 — My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
*************************************
O Lord, author of peace, love, and good will, soften our hard and steely hearts, warm our icy and frozen hearts, that we may wish one another well, and may be true disciples of Jesus Christ. Give us grace to begin to display that heavenly life in which there is no disagreement or hatred, but peace and love on all sides, one towards another.
Teach us as individuals and as a nation to forgive as we are forgiven, to love as we ought to love, and to live as we can with Thee and with one another. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
–Juan Vives (1493-1540)
Related Posts
