Speaking your mind
Canadians have been characterized as being polite and apologetic. The characterization has been the basis for many jokes. It is said you can always tell if someone is a Canadian if a slap on the back of the head causes them to turn around and apologize.
I liked this characterization. I always felt pride in this portrayal. Now I find myself grieving its demise, and I wonder if faith communities can play a role in its revival.
It appears that current public rhetoric is undoing this descriptor of Canadian identity. As a practically unrestrained platform, social media facilitates ill-mannered behaviour that would not be present during in-person encounters. People say things online that they would not say to one another face to face.
Open insults and blatant slander are also becoming more commonplace in political campaigning. It is said that the tone of political speech only ventures into the space that is already considered acceptable by common society. Disrespect is becoming a norm.
My sadness is even further intensified when realizing that this norm is becoming more routine in faith communities. The disrespect may be couched in spiritual platitudes, but any language that justifies an “us” versus “them” mentality fosters an unhealthy atmosphere where scorn and disregard can flourish.
Disagreement is an unavoidable feature of human life: we are all unique, so complete agreement on everything is unlikely. This includes understandings of God and what is considered faithful religious behaviour.
While disagreement is unavoidable, disrespect is not – especially within faith communities. Faith communities are conditioned to be able to embrace respectful dialogue. Sacred scriptures instruct us to recognize that all of us are created in the image of God (Gen 1:27). The apostle Paul implores us to display humility, considering others better than ourselves (Phil. 2:3).
The words of Jesus further positions love for others as the defining characteristic of faithfulness. “The world will know that you are my disciples,” said Jesus, “if you love one another” (John 13:35).
The distinguishing quality of a faithful community is not agreement, nor a shared knowledge or wisdom. Rather, it is the expression of love for one another. And love can be expressed even amid disagreement.
Faith communities have the opportunity to offer society a corrective example of public discourse. Rather than recklessly saying whatever comes to mind, especially in heated topics, faith communities can foster respectful exchange. They can enter conversations with a recognition that we all speak out of our limited understandings. And they can definitely be determined to treat others as they would like to be treated.
If political discourse only follows where the norms of society go, let’s be part of creating a society that cherishes respect and goodwill for all.
We should all be able to speak our minds, but that doesn’t mean we should do so with mindless disregard for our neighbour.
Speak your mind. But do so with dignity and respect.