We have become a society that
thrives on absolutes—universal generalizations—stereotypes, and we tend to take
every statement personally, as if it were aimed directly at me.
Some people in one church hurt
someone, and that someone’s response is to abandon “the church,” or “Christianity,”
or religion altogether.
A person stands up for his or
her deeply held values and convictions, and disagrees with ideas, systems,
behaviors, and policies that collide with those deeply held values and
convictions, and the response is to chastise him or her for what is perceived
as a blanket, universal condemnation of an entire population (conservatives or
liberals, evangelical or progressive Christianity, etc.)
And as a society we are
increasingly intolerant of differences. “I’m right;” therefore, anyone who
disagrees with me is, by definition, “wrong.” In many contexts, “wrong” grows
into “evil,” and evil must be banished, and an end-justifies-the-means ethic
drives the wedge deeper.
Christianity is where I’m most
comfortable and knowledgeable, recognizing that the primary thing I know is
that I don’t know everything.
Religious Trama Syndrome (RTS)
has been identified as a medically and psychologically diagnosed disorder,
quite similar to PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and effective treatment
is available. While I am not qualified to diagnose or treat either disorder, I have
enough training to recognize some symptoms.
It has been documented that
the greatest sources of religious trauma emerge out of fundamentalist and
evangelical (conservative) Christianity.
That doesn’t mean that all fundamentalist and evangelical Christian
individuals or groups are abusive!!!
Several years ago, during
President Obama’s tenure in office, I undertook a project to find something
good about every US President. I began with Harry S. Truman, because I had just
finished reading David McCullough’s biography, Truman. I expected it to
be a daunting task; however, to my surprise, I found significant positive
contributions from every President, including Richard Nixon, whom I had held in
less than high esteem.
That doesn’t mean that every President was, OVERALL, a good and
effective Chief Executive!!!
There were moral rogues whose
tenure produced growth and justice and international goodwill. And there were
moral saints who fumbled the ball on occasion. There were charismatic
personalities who were popular but left the nation in worse shape than when their
tenures began, and there were bewildering personalities that left us better
off. Some were strong in economics, and others were better at diplomacy. Some
favored the wealthy and others favored the little guy. Some battled against a
legislature that was controlled by the “other party” and somehow managed to get
some significant things accomplish, while others worked with a legislature with
a majority of their own party and struggled to keep the wheels turning.
But none were totally good nor totally bad!!!
But see, here’s the thing:
there were partisan trends involved in every administration. Until the last two
or three generations, our democracy thrived on vigorous debate. But now, there
is little debate. There are only parliamentary games and legislation aimed at
eliminating opposition, because differences are not tolerated, and if you can’t
win the debate, get rid of the opponent.
Yes, I have strong and deeply
held values and convictions, and I do not apologize for them, nor will I cease
to advocate for them. Nor will I cease to challenge the ideas and ideals, or
the behavior, or the policies that work against the values and convictions I hold.
It is my hope and my intention that I will be reasonably respectful and open to
listening to opposing views; however, I also will continue to defend my own
perspective, and, in the process, that means I will stand ready to enter
vigorous but respectful debate.
I have encountered very few
who are willing to enter the debate; instead, if there is disagreement, I
generally am met with criticism and chastisement, most of which (not all) is
disrespectful and degrading.
That’s the way it looks
through the Flawed Glass that is my world view.
Together
in the Walk,
Jim
