In the language of the New Testament, there is more than one word for time: chronos for chronological time, eschatos for eschatological or end times, and kairos for the right time. After all the political rhetoric of the election cycle we’ve just experienced, I believe it’s truly the right time for civil discourse.
Our citizenship invites – and even expects – our participation in deliberation that promotes understanding and public concern, fostering mutual respect, civic trust, and common ground. The Constitution guarantees freedom of speech, which upholds and makes sacred civil discourse as a primary aim.
But, true to form, I steered clear of much political conversation in the weeks and months leading up to Nov. 5 to avoid any inappropriate use of my position or title as a “bully pulpit” – a term coined by President Teddy Roosevelt. Then, since I remained quiet about my political leanings before the election, it logically follows that I will likely not initiate much conversation about the election after the fact. How about you?
Difficult conversations result when our memory takes us back to some experience in which something went wrong. Maybe a casual chat turned into an uncomfortable debate without a winner. The discomfort of that memory is enough to dissuade you or me from becoming vulnerable again.
Civil discourse requires that we subject our beliefs and values to criticism and, therefore, to feeling uncomfortable, threatened, or even angry. But being criticized is not the same as being silenced, and questioning someone’s beliefs is not to say someone has no right to their opinions.
Respectful conversations, on the other hand, edify and build up relationships not only if we completely agree with the other but also when our discourse is truly “civil.” Such discourse holds real potential for moving both from their extremism to understanding, especially when ethical human values are shared.
Spiritually speaking (since such speech is expected in each of these Eden Prairie Local News columns), we would do well to turn to the 8th Commandment to guide our conversations now that Election Day 2024 is behind us.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor,” Exodus 20:16.
In other words, in all our civil discourse,
“Speak the truth with love!”
Editor’s note: Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) contributor Pastor Rod Anderson also serves on the EPLN Board of Directors. He was the senior pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.
Interested in contributing a faith-based column to EPLN? Email editor@eplocalnews.org.
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