In today’s world we are sometimes criticized for being too nice. I learned from my mom to 
always try to find the best in everyone and every situation; respect all people no matter who they are and what their background is; hope for the positive; have faith in people to do the right thing. I’ve been called naïve, a goody-goody, a Pollyanna. And my feeling about this is: So what? I’d rather see life through rose colored glasses, knowing there are some pitfalls and negative things and people out there, than to operate in a fearful, negative, looking for the worst in everyone and everything, stingy and meanness of spirit kind of way. Whew!
The other day I heard a friend say, “Christians can’t be Republicans” or vice versa. At first blush, it is of course a broad and controversial statement, but when you take a closer look it’s not so radical a statement, based on what we’re seeing everyday in the political arena. Recently there was a budget battle in Washington, D.C., with the Republicans against raising taxes (especially on the large corporations who are making incredible profits) and for cutting programs that are and would continue to help those who are at a disadvantage. On the other hand, a Republican president invaded a country and started a war that to date has spent $900 billion of US taxpayers’ funds. That war also killed between 100,000 and 110,000 civilians in Iraq (as reported by IBC, Iraq Body Count). Many members of the GOP consider themselves Christians but the heart behind the actions doesn’t align with what the first Christian taught his followers. Love your enemies, help those who are too weak or sick to help themselves, be charitable, turn the other cheek, blessed are the peacemakers, etc. So, is saying you are a Christian just a façade, something you think you should be because it’s the popular place to be today in America?
Think about it. Your comments are welcome.
Being a Christian and living a Christian life is FAR from being popular or the “in thing”.
Absolutely. That’s why it’s important to really live the life, right? That was the point of the message here. Thanks for your comment, Libby!
Very provocative! I wonder what the world would look like today if more people focused on the similarities we all share instead of the differences. This goes for our religions as well as many other areas of our lives. How different is a Christian Democrat from a Christian Republican? Can you be too kind? I think not. But it’s hard to be kind sometimes. It takes diligence, and sometimes even courage. And, I think, it takes the ability to drop one’s guard and dare to see that person who appears to be in opposition to you as worthy of your love–as mostly like you except in this particular belief or act–as your brother or sister in a very real sense.
I wish I could do that more easily. I’m trying.
You make some excellent points here, Gordon. I think you are right about our focus. It seems that we are in a time of great polarization – but then maybe it’s always been that way. That’s why we’re always at war – some place in the world – and always have been. The ability to respect someone for who they are, beliefs and all, and not judge them is SO difficult. It’s easier to snap back at them and walk away. Or think that our way is better or we are better. After all, we’re just human. All we can do is try. Thanks for your comments, Gordon.