Happy August!
The Critical Role of Christians in the 2020 Election
Both political parties have completed their conventions this past week and now comes the final stretch of election 2020. If you’ve been following my sermons and our newsletter postings you know I’ve been concerned for the past decade that American was moving away from politics toward violence. As much you might think you don’t like politics, trust me the alternative is much worse. Humanity figured out a way to peaceably resolve differences through political structures and the rule of law.
When citizens no longer think they can have their issues resolved in the public square through civil discourse they take things into their own hands.
I'm concerned that we are entering into a time of mob rule. As Christians; we have an obligation to seek to play a peacemaker role and do what we can to bolster civil society.
After following this election closely and watching the two conventions, I’m convinced that both sides have now planted the seed that if they lose this fall, they will blame unjust practices by the other side.
Whoever wins in November, the other side will not accept it as legitimate.
This is a dangerous moment. When politics and elections are delegitimatized, we devolve to taking the law and disagreements into our own hands and that leads to acts of violence.
In our tradition, we are called to love our neighbor, even the ones we don’t know or like. This act of loving even when we don’t like them is loving God. There’s no loving God without loving God’s children.
The flip side in our tradition is that we are called to keep our self-love and narcissism in check. When we feel self-righteous against the flaws of others, we are called to look back at ourselves.
Having worked deeply in our political system I can tell you that that arena is dominated by narcissists. There’s little room for empathy, humility, or trying to see the world through the eyes of another. I’m not sure where it comes from, but it seems to be created by a deep childhood wound. A friend this week who is a therapist noted that often this wound is married up to their being seen as a “golden child” as well.
Narcissism is rampant in our culture and politics in ways I’ve never seen it before.
The Republican President is a case study in narcissism. Even in a brilliantly scripted convention, when the President had to hold conversations with nurses, COVID survivors, and janitors his questions reflected an inability to be curious or empathetic. He can only see things for how they impact him.
The Democrat Party’s narcissism manifests itself under the banner of social justice. The Black Lives Matter movement that held such hope and unity only a few months ago has morphed into a binary racist v. anti-racist movement between good and evil.
Failure to tow a certain line can easily lead to a charge of racism. Protests which had public support and had specific goals, now have morphed into virtue signaling. When people feel they are fighting for justice, it can free up a dangerous self-righteousness.
Looting, burning of buildings and cars is not okay and fans the flames of backlash politics.
Last week here In Washington DC this past week, social justice protestors traveled from restaurant to restaurant where people could finally eat outside and screamed at diners to raise their arm to show Black Lives Matter. When some didn’t they were threatened.
Virtue signaling obscures the had work necessary to bring true economic opportunity to the Black community.
If unchecked, this cultural narcissism in America is leading us to violence. When we fail to see it on our side, we perpetuate it. After another senseless shooting of Black man in Wisconsin, a 17-year-old boy was driven to the site by his parent with an automatic weapon. When he was chased, two of those involved were killed. I’m afraid these violent events are just the beginning of what could become a tit for tat.
As RNC members left the White House event last night they were chased by mobs screaming horrible epitaphs. And chanted, “If we can’t get justice, we burn it all down.” Those protestors may have accomplished what the RNC convention could not and pushed voters toward the President.
Fear is the most powerful motivating force and people are afraid now.
The mood of DC has changed has changed to fatigue. In my meetings with various members over the past week, I’m hearing a common thread of plans to leave the city. Other friends asked me about where they might find a place to escape to outside the city if things get violent.
The role of the church at this time must become a place the speaks against violence of all kinds and doesn’t fall into the trap of justifying violence when it aligns with our side. In addition to speaking against violence, we must continue to speak up for the underdog in whoever that might be.
I’m concerned that churches are themselves swept up in partisanship on both sides and only pointing out mistakes in the other. We’ve got to work to be a space that speaks the truth and welcomes all.
Where’s the good news?
I do believe the world is evolving into a higher level of spiritual development. To get there, we will need to go through chaos and uncertainty.
The key for Christians is to be consistent with our principles that we need to try to love everyone and we should be outspoken advocates against violence. We must be forces for good by tapping in the loving power of Jesus in our lives.
Church of the Holy City has an important role to play this fall as a safe space and a sanctuary for all. Thanks for being part of this important work. Our world needs your leadership.
Your Pastor
Rev. Richard L. Tafel
richtafel@gmail.com
