By James Wilson
I wrote in my first book, Living as Ambassadors, that I had never seen my country so divided – so polarized – as it was during the 2004 election phenomenon. Reality is the nation is much more polarized today. There is unbelievable hatred between two constituencies who radically believe the other robbed them of their due. This nightmare is escalated by the bizarre outcome of Hillary Clinton winning the nationwide popular vote while Donald Trump triumphed in the state-by-state electoral college vote. The latter prevails in our constitutional democracy and precedent exists in living memory. Its purpose is to prevent a few populated states from dominating the whole but it does nothing to ease the national tension.
Good news comes in the gracious attitude of both candidates the morning after. Trump offered reassurance the opportunities in his victory are for all Americans regardless of their attitude toward him and his vision; Clinton urged her people to view the victor with an open mind and support his effort at leadership. President Obama was likewise conciliatory; his scheduled fifteen minute meeting with President-elect Trump grew to ninety and exhibited maturity and goodwill on both sides.
Unfortunately numbers of American people are neither so gracious nor mature. Rioters – and peaceful demonstrators – have taken to the streets around major American universities following the election. Many thousands have signed on-line petitions urging President Obama to nullify the election and declare martial law. Universities have arranged counseling for students and faculty distraught to the point of suicide. Some have sunk from polarization into seriously arrested development.
I refer to the mobs chanting barnyard epithets at the president-elect as they set fires on the one hand and demand martial law – not against them but for their benefit – on the other. But I refer just as much to Trump supporters like the Shasta County high school student who handed out phony deportation letters to fellow students on campus. The rock throwers and fire starters are nothing but bullies who did not get their way and the racists who think their evil is now legitimated are just as reprehensible. Calmer and more courageous heads on both sides need to step up.
As difficult as it may be we need to act as what I call ambassadors of reconciliation in the aforementioned book. That means firstly – we who won this one – speak our convictions with passion and confidence. Those convictions are to uphold rule of law and orderly transition, passing power to those favoring a free market and minimal restrictions on life, liberty and pursuit of happiness – as opposed to the conviction half the American people have been robbed and government should compensate them. Included is the notion that life is for all God’s creatures regardless of development and social structures ought to promote rather than inhibit this idea – from unborn or declining life to technology to addressing climate change as a naturally recurring phenomenon.
Secondly, even in light of in-your-face behavior from those who lost, we need to hear their convictions with respect. We need to avoid the you-sit-in-the-back-of-the-bus mentality that so often converts defeated opponents into fanatical enemies. This rings true whether about climate change as human caused or the anguish of gays who deeply desire to marry. Giving respect does not imply a cave-in. Giving respect is just that, neither less nor more.
There is room for the victors to claim their turn. There is room for the defeated to say their struggle continues – within legal boundaries. But there is no room for the self-righteous assurance that ends justify means.
The third step is to permit King Jesus to re-frame the discussion. Reality is the rich are getting richer as the poor become poorer. Although they are among the least likely to suffer discrimination, gays are bullied and marginalized. While Christians are about half as liable to racial bigotry, we do it and we need to repent. We say we love the sinner while hating the sin but our hypocrisy is manifest at even the hint of sin – my testimony is personal on this one. We traditional values types are called by God to walk a mile in the shoes of those we oppose; now is a good time to get on with it.
We who supported Donald Trump’s election are hailing his victory as a beacon of hope for America. So it is – if we hold the bullies on both sides strictly accountable and accept this opportunity to work out our salvation in fear and trembling through ongoing repentance – understood as re-focus of our attention on God and His will for our land without pre-conditions.
James A. Wilson is the author of Living As Ambassadors of Relationships, The Holy Spirit and the End Times, and Kingdom in Pursuit – available at local bookstores or by e-mailing him at praynorthstate@gmail.com
