As the nation's presidential campaign moves into its final weeks, perhaps it's time to take a collective, national breath and relax. While I believe that all people of good will need to heed this call (myself included), people of faith carry a greater responsibility for dialing back the vitriol.
After all, our Christian scriptures call on us to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19). Jesus commanded us to love others as self and to do to others as we wish others would do to us (Matthew 22:39 and 7:12). These are not just nice Sunday School phrases. As this election cycle has shown, our words matter.
Unfortunately, zealots on both sides of our presidential contest have attempted to wrap themselves in the Bible and claim that real Christians would only vote for their candidate. Appeals to fear typically warn that if the other candidate is elected, Armageddon can't be far behind. Such statements actually betray a lack of faith in God's sovereignty and power.
If God is at the mercy of every political leader who comes along, can that God be as omnipotent and eternal as we profess? To put it bluntly, to imply that God is held hostage by our choice of a human leader seems to totter dangerously close to idolatry. This is a presidential election, not an every-four-year-Messiah-search. We Christians already have a Messiah!
In these highly-charged times, I offer a modest three-part proposal for civil and courteous political dialogue. First, if you disagree with someone, get to know that person. Don't instantly attribute evil motives to another. Each human bears God's image and is invested with infinite value. That person on the other end of your political debate deserves to be known and understood. Second, before you dismiss the other's viewpoint, explore it. Ask, "Why do you feel that way? Help me understand." Third (and this is the most difficult of the three), check your facts before you repeat, forward or post something.
Truth be told, much of the unkind speech bouncing around cyberspace and coffee shops is not rooted in meanness as much as it is rooted in laziness. To follow steps one, two and three above would require time and energy. Frankly, we don't like to work that hard. As someone wisely put it, "Some people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices."
Please. Let's take the time to listen, learn and think for ourselves. Remember the ratio which God has wisely built into our bodies - two ears, one mouth. Let's practice an informed civility. God is calling all of us to something higher and better.
Doyle Sager is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, where he has served since 1997.