Written by Mackenzie Grizzard | Staff Writer
Baylor University hosted a virtual civil discussion panel Thursday with several faculty members dedicated to finding compromise between the divide between American politics and Christianity.
Especially in a polarizing election season, the panelists urged Christians to take a step back from their bellicose attitude when it comes to politics and start listening to other points of view.
Dr. Leslie Harner, a professor in the School of Communication, participated in the panel discussion and said that love is the healer of conflict caused by politics.
Harner said, “To love those who disagree with us, even those who hate us, is an incredibly powerful commandment. And enacting this commandment… “We can heal broken political animosities.”
Harner emphasized the “nefarious” way politics has infected American democracy and the dangers of misinformation.
“There are millions of people who want to take advantage of our democracy, use our patterns of civil discourse to make us even more vitriolic and even more polarized,” Harner said. he said.
Hanhar emphasized the importance of positive interpersonal discussions that reflect “Christian values.”
“If we abdicate that responsibility, we allow people with nefarious goals to pursue whatever they want,” Hanher said.
According to Dr. Ellis Edwards, associate professor of religious studies at Baylor University, Christians have an undeniable responsibility to help shape the democracy they want.
“We have the opportunity to join in the ongoing efforts to strengthen democracy, ensure that the voices of others are heard, and to do everything we can in a way that is consistent with the dignity we hold within our Christian tradition. We have a responsibility to make sure our voices are considered,” Edwards said. “Our public discussion will only be about what we think.”
Edwards argued that if we want to see a different world, one free from political divisions, we must create it ourselves. Nevertheless, she warned of the dangers of mixing politics and religion too closely.
“I am a big advocate of the separation of church and state in some respects,” Edwards said. “Politics should not be used as a tool of the church, and the church should not be used as a tool of political power.”
Passion-based politics is common during election periods, especially during red and blue elections. Dr. Matthew Anderson, assistant professor in the Baylor University Honors Program, recognizes this as an essential part of democracy.
“Democratic systems need to fuel people’s passions to inspire us to volunteer, to win over our neighbors, to vote,” Anderson said. “Democracy thrives (and) we need turnout, which increases passion for things.”
These passions may unconsciously play a role in how political discussions are conducted and why they are often incredibly contentious.
“When dealing with people you don’t have direct common ground with, it’s usually best to establish common ground and then move on to more difficult or contentious issues,” Harner says. “This kind of relational engagement gives us a stronger sense of how to connect with each other across differences and not become combative in the moment.”
In moments of controversy like this, panelists said Christian love is the cure.
“In the Christian context, love is one of the greatest virtues and one of the most difficult,” Harner said. “This is an antidote to the political divisiveness we’re seeing.”
Harner also warned speakers that there are people behind the curtain who use discord as a means to promote their agenda.
“The division we face is unintentional,” Harner said. “It benefits political parties, and it benefits political leaders who seek to exploit our divisions to build their own power.”
Dr. Rebecca McCumbers Flavin, a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at Baylor University, suggested that all Christians start by practicing humility, especially when it comes to political discussions.
“Intellectual humility to recognize that a position with which you disagree is not a foolish position, and that there may be provocative and intelligent arguments with which you may disagree is (important).” McCumbers Flavin said. “You can listen to them and try to understand them while still maintaining your own personal beliefs and values.”
