The supposed clash between different political groups in the United States has been described as a “culture war.” The painter and author Makoto Fujimura has described such a war “as a polarized mindset, viewing culture as territory to dominate rather than a common space Christians share with their neighbors.” (Quoted in “Defiant Joy,” Cosper, Mike; Christianity Today, December 2022)

In fact, we are all subject to human frailties and incompleteness. Jesus may be “the answer,” but none of us completely comprehends that answer, much less lives it. Thinking that we do, that people must see things the way we do is to choose the way the religious critics of Jesus did during his time on earth.

They ended up collaborating with the Romans to kill Jesus, just as too many people calling themselves Christians have taken part in religious wars to slaughter their “enemies.”

Perhaps we start with gratitude that God gives us the ability to think and ponder and observe and learn. We are each imperfect but with wonderful possibilities. We can look at those with whom we disagree as possibilities for our own learning.

We listen to them and converse and examine ideas. If they ask questions, we answer them with compassion and humility, grateful that we are talking, not fighting. We look to learn from them as well as share our own convictions.

Jesus spent much of his time in conversation with people, listening to them and answering their questions. People followed him because he attracted them and inspired them and gave them hope of a better way. They talked to him and listened to his answers and sometimes were changed. Surely, if we’re going to follow his example, we are called to that same way of interacting with the world.