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Two days before Saturday’s shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally sparked a national discussion about political violence, I was at a religious freedom conference reflecting on the issue of polarization – and how it can fuel political violence.
Conference organizers at the University of Notre Dame had no way of knowing their meeting would be so immediately relevant. But then again, it was already relevant. Even before this weekend’s events, it was clear that the country was losing track of how to disagree civilly.
Bishop Kevin Rhoades, who leads the Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana, spoke on this issue Thursday morning, describing the difference between healthy conflict and more toxic disputes.
When politics becomes toxic, Rev. Rhoades said, political opponents aim to do more than win political debates. They want to crush the other side and take all the spoils of war.
A healthier political system would still involve many disagreements, he added. But everyone would be focused on creating a better world, rather than hurting each other.
In a healthy culture, you may still lose in the sense that the proposed policy does not become law. But you would respect your political partners and truly believe that they also want the best for the country.
Reverend Rhoades said he believes it could take “generations” before we depolarize American politics and return to the healthy, pluralistic democratic system we should have.
I was very depressed to hear this, but the good news is that we can all start working on depolarization immediately.
Here are some steps we can take to reduce political violence and disagree better, according to Rev. Rhoades:
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Stay focused on the needs of your community, not why you are frustrated with your political opponents.
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Build relationships with your opponents outside of political context. Get to know them as human beings.
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Seek what is best for the country as a whole, rather than what is best for you and your political allies.
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Build your life around moral values and timeless moral truths, not around passing culture wars.
Deseret editor Sarah Jane Weaver was with me at the Notre Dame conference. Read her coverage to learn more about combating polarization.
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Term of the week: The Rev. Libras
Beloved fitness instructor Richard Simmons died over the weekend at age 76. He is being remembered for his silly but inspiring workout schedule, in which he played several memorable characters, including the Rev.
Reverend Pounds was “a man of the cloth—of the tablecloth” who said things like “Though I walk through the valley of linguine and clams, I will fear no evil,” according to The New York Times.
Simmons’ team tweeted about his portrayal of Rev. Pounds last month.
“I loved playing Reverend Pounds. I stood behind a pulpit with a stained glass window at the back. I talked about the harm of certain foods. I wore a white wig, a white tuxedo, held a pair of white gloves and a holy book in my hand,” the post he said.
What I’m reading…
Many Christian leaders took to social media following Saturday’s shooting at a Trump rally to ask for prayers for the former president. So many of the same people got together on a phone call to thank God for keeping Trump safe, according to Christianity Today.
A source close to Trump told The Washington Post that the former president is feeling spiritual after the shooting. “He thinks he received a gift from God. He can’t believe it,” the source said.
Earlier this month, I wrote about efforts to incorporate religious texts into public school curricula, including a new law that requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in Louisiana classrooms. In response to the same trends I covered, The Conversation published a helpful analysis of what the Supreme Court has said in the past about studying the Bible in public schools.
Offal
If you, like me, need something to lift your mood (or serve as a happy distraction) during this difficult news cycle, check out “Barbecue Showdown” on Netflix. It’s a cooking competition with an incredible amount of heart (and heat!).
The Olympics are about 10 days away. Let me know if there are any religious angles you’d like me to cover.
