You can listen to this week’s Devotional here
Author: Kaudie McLean
As we approach what is likely the most contentious presidential election of our lifetime, what can we do to foster a greater sense of peace both among and within us?
In July, Congressman Joe Neguse encouraged us to open ourselves to conversations with strangers and truly listen to what they have to say, attentive to the possibility of connection that deep listening creates. And earlier in the year, during the weekend of the MacKenzie lecture, we had some lively discussion about the possibility of conversations with people whose political views differ radically from our own. Two of our panelists in the Saturday session encouraged us to connect with people through our hearts, to listen without judgment and offer understanding. Dr. Butler countered with the need to approach these issues with our heads, lest we settle for connection without also engaging in action aimed at social justice.
In a culture that tends to think in either/or terms, we might be tempted to pick one position—head or heart, justice or connection—and stand firm. But I think all three speakers were right, and the best approach lies in holding their positions in creative tension, with the flexibility to blend and move between them based on context.
That said, my own approach takes as a starting point the call to connect with heart; and for me, this is a practice of empathy, something that seems to be sorely deficient in our political climate.
The surface of our political reality is rancor, division, entrenchment, and othering. I’m sure I don’t need to point out that none of these is a spiritual disposition, no matter how justified or righteous we feel about our own beliefs. If we approach those with whom we disagree as opponents first and fellow humans second, we have already lost.
So how do we get below the surface to the things that inform our political views and preferences? If we are willing to ask questions of others and listen—really listen—with genuine curiosity, kindness, and humility, we may get to hear the thinking logic behind their views. That logic may well seem weak, distorted, or even illogical to our own way of thinking. Or we may be surprised by its thoughtfulness and vulnerability. Either way, it’s a beginning, and one that may allow us to go deeper.
There is always an emotional economy—a feeling logic—below cognition, one that speaks to the deepest yearnings and fears that we each hold inside. What people want for their family and friends typically aligns with what they want for this country—basic things like safety, opportunity, well-being, freedom, prosperity/sufficiency. And even if we disagree about how to reach those things, we may find therein the points of commonality from which we can embrace the human vulnerability and longing of our disagreeing neighbors and begin meaningful, healing conversation.
Now mind you, I don’t think this is always easy or even worthwhile. I believe there are folks whose hearts are so hardened that we won’t be able to connect with them, people whose self-justification comes only at the expense of others. I think we’re better off spending our energy where there’s still some openness, however slight.
Again, for me, we best invite that openness by connecting to the humanity of others—or, to put it in theological terms, by seeing the image of God in everyone. Of course, we hope to change the hearts and minds of those whom we perceive to be neglecting the greater common good. We hope to help bend the socio-political arc toward justice. But I don’t think we’ll ever be particularly persuasive if we don’t cultivate empathy. When we refuse to objectify another person and choose instead to offer connection and compassion, we also make it less likely that they will objectify us. And therein lie the seeds of nurturing community over division. I believe this is what our faith calls us to.
As we face this fraught election, we can each do our part to change the tenor of the political and moral conversation. Many, many people will be disappointed with the outcome of the election, whatever it is, and we need to become spiritually limber to face the challenges around both the next month of campaigning and election results. May God grant us the grace to bridge the divide with empathy even and especially as we commit ourselves to the pursuit of justice for everyone.
As an aside, if you’re interested in having conversations around differing political viewpoints, I encourage you to check out Braver Angels, a national organization building community on the foundation of what they call patriotic empathy.