A Nation Divided

I am concerned about what will happen to our country after the 2016 Presidential Election, not because of whom may be elected but because of the passionate opinions of the voters. Never have I witnessed so many people voting from hatred for the “other” candidate rather than supporting the nominee who most represents their values. I am shocked by how vehemently people endorse or oppose the candidates. Friendships and families are falling apart over differing opinions. I have seen posts on social networking sites such as: “If you are going to vote for “X” candidate, then unfriend me now. I cannot be friends with someone who supports “X.” Whatever happened to respectfully disagreeing? Whatever happened to appreciating the differing viewpoints that make our nation diverse and distinctive? If we do not find a way to civilly discuss our disagreements how can we hope to teach the succeeding generations how to work through conflict and find resolution? How can we ever hope to “Make America great again”?

Then there’s the “race” problem, and yes, this is a reality. Too many people harbor implicit prejudices. If you don’t believe me, take the Implicit Association Test (IAT) developed by Banaji and Greenwald (2013). You can find the test by following this link: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html .  Research has proven that suppressed prejudices do occur in this country. Look at the case of Barak Obama when he was running for president and the hoopla over his birth certificate. You see, with suppressed prejudices, people justify their dislike for someone in the target group by covering up the biases they carry with other “valid” excuses because to be transparently prejudice is not socially acceptable. So, instead “he wasn’t born in the US” or “he’s Muslim” became the banner argument. In all reality the fact that he was a black man stirred emotional dissent in a lot of people who subconsciously harbor prejudices. If you don’t believe me, read the research that has been done for yourself.

And speaking of that, let’s take a look at police shootings. The most fascinating research that has been conducted on police bias was conducted by Correll, Park, Judd, and Wittenbrink (2002). Their experiment involved participants viewing videos of men (half of them were white; the other half were black) who were in realistic settings holding an item (half were holding nonthreatening items such as cell phones; the other half were holding a handgun). The participants won or lost points based on how they reacted. They gained 10 points for shooting someone who did have a gun, and if they failed to shoot someone holding a gun, they lost 40 points. They found that white participants were more likely to shoot when the men in the videos were black, regardless of what they held in their hands. This is disturbing!

Prejudices lie quietly below the surface until provoked and then they can be fatal, as we have seen too many times this year. Why aren’t police officers evaluated with an IAT test? If someone has implicit prejudices, training can be conducted in order to help the individual overcome those prejudices, which could very well lead to saving the life of another innocent black man. However, I am afraid this problem has been at a boiling point for far too long. Being black in this country is still a disadvantage in many areas. And please do not argue this point! Research proves my statements. Unless you can find peer reviewed, unbiased research that says otherwise, you are merely stating an opinion. My declaration is not based on my personal viewpoint but on hard evidence. I wish more than anything it were just an opinion! I have believed for far too long that equality was the reality, because that is how I feel. I have never judged a person on ethnicity, religion, or socioeconomic status. Therefore, I believed that my reality could be generalized to society as a whole. I was wrong.

We all should be praying for resolution and asking ourselves, “What can I do to change my little part of the world?” For a start, we can learn to cordially discuss our differences, come face to face with our prejudices, and then start the healing process. Otherwise, we will be a nation divided. 

I have watched with curiosity while the whole “Duck Dynasty” hoopla has played out.  I still have yet to read the whole article in question in which Phil Robertson is accused of being homophobic and racist.  I have only heard and read snippets of the interview, all taken out of context I am sure.  The Robertson family appears to be a family of strong, biblical faith.  I have seen and heard far more positive coverage of the family than negative.  I am convinced that Mr. Robertson’s comments have been sensationalized and his intent was not to be hateful or hurtful to anyone.

That being said, I would like to address the issue of what he is accused of saying and why I believe as a Christian he should have kept his mouth shut on such matters when being interviewed for a magazine such as GQ.  In Matthew 7, Jesus told his listeners not to give what is sacred to dogs.  GQ magazine is not a Christian publication which targets a Christian population.  Why would someone attempt to define what is “sin” with a periodical that clearly is not concerned with the definition?

Another teaching Jesus gave his followers in Matthew 7, is not to hypocritically judge others.  Why bother cleaning up your neighbor’s minute mess when you have a junk pile in your own back yard which needs to be cleaned up?  Before a Christian sits down and starts condemning homosexuality, he needs to make sure the sins in his own life are not weighing him down.  Romans 1:29-32, gives a comprehensive list:  greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful, disobedient to their parents, senseless, faithless, heartless, and ruthless.  I look at this list and realize there is so much work to do in my own life; I do not have the time to go around telling others what sins they need to take care of in their lives.  If someone comes to me and asks for guidance, I am more than happy to point him or her to the One who can help.  Why do we as Christians spend so much time judging the sins in the lives of others rather than nourishing the relationships with which God may bless us?  Instead of pointing to a particular group of sinners (by the way, we are ALL sinners) and saying, “You’re wrong;” we should be introducing them to the One who has the power to redeem everyone from his or her pain and sin and give new beginnings. 

1 Corinthians 5:9-13, makes it quite clear that judging people outside of the church is God’s work, not mine.  My job is to love those who are outside of God’s loving embrace.  Through my love they may very well come to know Him who loves them no matter where they are and who they love.  Perhaps next time Mr. Robertson is interviewed, he will remember all of Christ’s teaching. 

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:36-39