Devotion - Wednesday, October 3

It is often said that polite conversation should never include religion or politics.  I suppose the reason is that these issues too often divide us.  And I guess I can see how they might, or do.

But this is not the way it ought to be.

In last night's bible study we came to the conclusion that it is only a sub-set of the family of God for whom "sharing the good news" means berating and belittling.  We know that God's Word is a word of acceptance and grace.  It is only impolite to speak of our religious convictions when our religious convictions are narrow and defensive.

Similarly, politics divide us when we pit ourselves against the other, when we fail to see the perspective of the other or fail to acknowledge the liabilities associated with our own.  The encouragement not to speak publicly about politics means we only whisper our thoughts to those with whom we know we have a high level of agreement.

We are hosting a viewing of the first of the presidential debates tonight, in the LCM Lounge.  It is an intentional effort to use the Lounge in the the same way it was used last night - to train us to speak publicly about those things which matter to us all.  We are sure that among us there is diversity of opinion.  We want to learn to speak about our shared future in a way which does not demonize the opposition, but allows compromise and cooperation.  

Eventually, Jesus' political opponents condemn him.  But he never condemns them.  He remains for us a model of how one remains true to God.