The Terror of Division

Yesterday I wrote a post on Facebook regarding my feelings about the latest college shooting. As a rule I keep my posts light. I am not certain that social media is a place to try to be a change agent. So I post pictures of AnnaBelle. I mean really, who doesn’t love a great picture of a cleft lip bulldog puppy. 

But I felt as though I needed to say something in reference to yet another mass murder in our country. So I posted this:

But following is what I really wanted to say. It was buried so deeply within my heart that I could’t get the words to bubble up to my fingers and type them into my blog. But I feel as though in an effort to move forward I need to extract these words.

April 19th marked the 20th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing; the largest act of terrorism on American soil by an American. On that day I realized something profound but I didn’t have a voice to speak my heart. 

Four years later, in a suburb of Denver Colorado the first act of terrorism in a school that made national headlines happened at Columbine High School. Twelve student were murdered. I consider this an act of terrorism because as I place myself inside that school I am certain I feel terror.

Since those two turning points in American history we have had a plethora of terrorism hit America. Most of which has been perpetrated by other Americans. Not just guns were used to kill. Let be clear, I don’t love guns personally. The power of a firearm frightens me and I have no desire to carry a gun but I have a son that hunts, shoots on a pistol and trap shooting team and sees a future in law enforcement. I am thankful he is responsible with a firearm. Bombs have not been the favored choice of murder nor has airplanes colliding into buildings.

The biggest weapon utilized in terrorism is a divisive spirit; you against me, them against us, I am right and you are wrong. When extreme sides are formed on any issue the wall built obstructs any opportunity for discourse. In Proverbs 18:13 we read, “He who answers before listening – that is his folly and his shame.” Earlier in this same chapter there is a pointed evaluation of those who would rather talk than listen: “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions” (18:2). In the New Testament, James 1:19 says “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger:” St Francis of Assisi stated “grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand.” 

Mental health issues not with standing, most conflicts can be resolved with conversation. Unfortunately today even within my own clergy/religious ranks I see far too many lines drawn in the sand. What we are saying to the unbelieving word is, “We can’t agree on what God calls us to do and who to be, so clearly we are not qualified to impart any reliable wisdom for you.” What the “Other Believing” world (other religions) see in our broken discourse is that we have no idea of what the Truth is from Our Creator. I can't even imagine what those who have lost hope in Faith see in our actions toward each other. 

I remember a time when my mother didn’t like the current president. I only know this because she told me who she voted for and why. But when, at the brilliant age of 17, I bashed the winner, Jimmy Carter, my mother immediate stopped me and explained that President Carter was elected by a fair vote of the people and as the elected president he deserved my respect. If I was truly unhappy I should vote accordingly in the next election when I was of age.  I learned something that day. My mom taught me that unity is more important that being “right.” That respect is a gift we give and gifts aren't earned. She taught me that learning about both sides of any issue or electoral candidate helped me understand decisions and processes. It also helped me tolerate life when it didn’t go my way.

What I have watched happen in our country in politics, religion, industry and even relationships is that we humans are more vested in being right that we are in being righteous. We are not at all interested in working together and understanding others unless the other is just like us unthinking and otherwise. We waste no time in learning all sides about an issue or even learning the truth of an issue. We are quick to "re-post" anything that we read that confirms our position, truthful or not. Even talk show psychiatrist, Dr. Phil knows, "no matter how thin you make a pancake, there are still two sides."

When we no longer see similarities on others we place them in a category that no longer matters to us. When lives no longer matter, we can bully, hate, revile, and yes, even kill those that no longer matter.

I don’t like everybody and don’t agree with many but I try my best to see all sides and love even those that make no sense to me. I don’t reduce others to labels or categories. But I can’t do it on my own. I am limited by my humanity to love others, to see other positions or beliefs. But I know this, I don’t have to be divided from those in which I don’t agree with. God can and will fill the gap. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches us that two are better than one. There are strength in unity and the cord is most strong when the Divine Third strand is woven within. Unity is the only thing that can bridge the divisive sprit of terror.