We must ask ourselves: When did politics become so polarized? When did the forces of hate and anger take over our lives? What is it that drives people to make lists of political enemies, either on the right or the left so that murder becomes an option? It doesn’t matter whether the targets are abortion care providers, judges, or scientists. The idea that you can solve your political grievances with a gun has taken over our lives.
Melissa Hortman, a legislator in Minnesota, and her husband were on a list of political targets; fortunately, another on the list survived. We’ve been stirred into such a frenzy of righteousness that we can’t discuss our differences anymore. Throwing rocks and burning cars solves nothing; such actions only gives those in power an excuse to become even more repressive.
This is not to say that we shouldn’t be angry at injustices we see or work to end them. It is to say that we need to find ways to bridge divides so that political violence becomes unacceptable. Demonizing the opposition leads to violence no matter who is doing the demonizing.
Prayer for the Day
Forgive us, O God, our anger and our hubris,
As we have believed we are always in the right;
Forgive us, O Lord, when we wish disaster on others,
As anger has become the governing factor in our lives.
Temper us, O Holy One, even as we work for your justice,
Nor destroy our desire for your kingdom on earth.
In the name of the One who is our guide,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Violence is shrouded in justifying myths that lend it moral legitimacy, and these myths for the most part kept people from recognizing the violence for what it was.
American writer, pastor
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict – alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.
Dorothy Thompson, American journalist (1893-1961)
Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, God’s ears open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against evildoers, cutting of their remembrance from the earth
Psalm 34:13-16