This svithe is a little late–both in the day and to the general party–but it’s on my mind and I’m going to share whether you want to hear it or not. Unfortunately I’m a bit rushed on this, so it may not be as well-written as I’d like, so I hope my point is clear.
As I prepare to teach the Gospel Doctrine class in my new ward for the first time next Sunday, I keep coming back to the following verses of scripture:
…Surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by God. There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God. –4 Nephi 1:16-17
It’s a description of the people less than a hundred years after the coming of Christ. Their happy state of being is contrasted shortly thereafter with these verses:
Therefore the true believers in Christ…were called Nephites, and Jacobites, and Josephites, and Zoramites. And…they who rejected the gospel were called Lamanites, and Lemuelites, and Ishmaelites… And they were taught to hate the children of God… –4 Nephi 1:37-39
Here’s what bothers me about these verses: we’ve got -ites and we’re teaching our children to hate the other -ites. The happiest people in the history of ever gave way to generations of war and destruction. Lately I have seen a lot of divisions among the people of our nation, and if anything is going to lead us to an apocalypse it will be this and NOT whomever is in office right now.
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Republicans are shouting that anyone who voted for President Obama is unchristian–even that they are atheists–and that their decision is going to lead our country to financial ruin. Democrats are yelling that those who voted for Governor Romney were idiotic, selfish, misogynistic white men–or women who are stupid enough to allow the patriarchy to tell them what to think–who are ignoring “real issues” because of blind faith in religion. Americans are throwing around words like “entitlement,” “socialism,” “intolerant,” and much much worse. On a more local level, I’m hearing Arizona residents who are perpetually divided over issues of immigration, calling each other “racist,” “heartless,” “anarchists,” and much much worse.
People I love, who are generally kind and thoughtful and open-minded, have made incredibly hurtful statements without considering whose opinion they are criticizing, whose answer to prayer they are dismissing outright. Maybe everyone really is concerned about the welfare of our country, state, county, city, etc., and has struggled to find a choice they feel confident is best. Maybe everyone really did vote for the person they thought would best serve our nation’s needs…and maybe they just have different opinions about which needs are most critical at the moment.
What worries me is that these polarizations will continue in the next generation. When good people feel it is appropriate or even necessary to slander anyone who feels differently than they do, that slander does not fall on deaf ears. Our children are listening to all this bickering and what do you think they are getting out of it?
Amelia may hear me talking about people who are different from me in political ideals, religious beliefs, physical appearance, or even just place of residence (because heaven knows I curse New Mexican drivers way more than I ought!) and learn to feel the same way about those people. Though we may have the best of intentions, we are inadvertently teaching my children to hate people, which I believe is truly the beginning of the end.
At the end of the day, Democrat or Republican, Mexican or American, black or white or brown or whatever you want to call yourself, we are all children of God. And that makes us brothers and sisters. And that should be enough to show love and understanding and good will toward one another.
Even when we disagree on every other point.
shirt: J Crew / skirt: ASOS / belt: GAP / tights: Target / shoes: Kenneth Cole / necklace: no idea because it’s super old
Couldn't agree more with this. We spend so much time on focusing on winning politics, driving, whatever that we forget that we're all really on the same side. Just be kind, everybody.
Exactly. Glad my babbling makes sense.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -Mahatma Gandhi
I stumbled upon this quote when I was searching for the second. It struck me at first as negative and I was puzzled. Then I found the quote I was searching for: "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." Well, I do think these two quotes pair nicely together, but this quote is the true winner. "Love one another, as I have loved you." – Jesus Christ
Exactly.
Oh, how similar things have been on my mind for a while now. It hurts my heart when I see comments that generally attack a given political group, religious group, or whoever that are obviously based on emotions instead of rational thought. To me it seems like everyone is searching for answers to the hard questions and instead of working together to find them, they get distracted by some comment and stubbornly stand on their soapbox and sling mud at their neighbors. It gives the next generation a bad example about how to treat others. I agree that we should focus on what we have in common and move forward with love. And faith. Faith in the fact that God is in charge of this nation, which has a divine purpose, is what brings me peace that is will all work out.
Like Sam said above, it's not about beating the other guy. If we stop finding fault with others and spend that energy working together instead–and praying for guidance for ourselves and the leaders we've elected–we may actually solve some problems. Then we all win.