64th Edition
A by-product of the politicization of everything is that everything must have a label. Every group, subgroup, and subset of a subgroup gets a label. When labels are assigned, an assumption is made that everyone under that label has similar beliefs. This, of course, is not true. There are different viewpoints and even different core values within every group, yet we tend to lump everyone together. We do this in order to weaponize, and it happens routinely and powerfully as we label people across race, religion, and politics. Unfortunately, by doing so, we establish barriers to building relationships on a deep, personal level. Applying labels at the start of a conversation or relationship, which might not be completely accurate, often prevents the discovery of unifying values and the ability to compromise for the benefit of all.
Worse over, whenever there are disagreements within a group, what invariably happens is that the group splits. When further disagreements occur the groups split again. No where is this dynamic more evident than in Christianity, one of the five major world religions. According to Wesleyan University, there are a staggering number of denominations within Christianity, over 33,000 on a world-wide basis, and there is no expectation that this number won’t continue to grow. My question to all these denominations is simply this – What percent of your time are you focusing on what separates you from others and what percent of your time are you focusing on what unites you with others? It might also be fair to ask this question – In personal interactions are you more focused on serving or being served? And ultimately, are you searching relentlessly for God’s truth?
Should we not pose that same question to the two other areas prone to destructive labeling – race and politics? Are there not more characteristics and common values that unite people across different races, than there are factors that separate them? How often do we discuss that question? I’m guessing not frequently enough. Here are four common values the vast majority of people within different races believe in: One, they love their children and family members. Two, they value honesty and integrity. Three, they admire the brave and honorable. Four, they all search for joyfulness and self-fulfillment. How often are these four core values pushed aside as we concentrate on our cultural differences? If we acknowledge and embrace core values will we become more tolerant of cultural differences?
Emotions driven by political labels and differences are going to hit a fever pitch as we approach the November elections. That conclusion seems unavoidable. But is it? Are there core values that can unify the Left and Right, or at least establish some degree of civility in the political process? Let’s take a stab at that, using the same logic for race, that a core value has to be believed by the vast majority in each group. Again, the four aforementioned core values apply – love of family, a preference for honesty, personal integrity and courage, and a desire for joyfulness and self-fulfillment. It should not surprise anyone that the largest political party today isn’t Republicans or Democrats, but Independents.
A big part of the American Dream for all citizens has been the hope that our toil will produce a better life for our children as well as some reasonable degree of financial security as we approach retirement. Beyond that, we all enjoy individual rights and have demonstrated a willingness to fight and even die to preserve freedom. We all want the government to work for us instead of against us. While the devil is in the details in all this, these important common goals remain pillars of our society. They can drive the narrative as they say, but only if we focus on common values rather than our differences. There is no doubt in my mind that this will be a difficult challenge for all of us as the election rhetoric intensifies. Can we disagree without being disagreeable? Can we find common ground? Can we seek to serve rather than being served? I sure hope so. As a nation, haven’t we overcome greater challenges?
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Michael Kayes
*These views are my personal opinions and are not the viewpoints of any company or organization.