I keep hearing that we are living in unprecedented times. A global pandemic plus a presidential election amid some of the most divisive times in our country’s history.
While it’s true, times are incredibly tricky; they are not without precedent. Countries have experienced pestilence, politics, and protests for generations. It has been worse.
The Spanish Flu killed more people than World War I, and we’re likely only fairing better due to advancements in health care, testing, tracing, and social distancing. My husband, a history enthusiast, recently reminded me that ancient Rome handled political disagreements with a sharp knife and a dump in the Tiber River. And there was a time in this country that protests for civil rights boiled over into Civil War.
Lately, I’ve been looking into the Wesley tradition for some practical advice on conducting myself during this election season. John Wesley was once asked about how to handle voting, and this was his short response:
I met those of our society who had voted in the ensuing election and advised them
1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy
2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and
3. To take care, their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.
While this is a helpful outline for keeping discourse civil and voting once’s conscience, it has many holes. How does one define “most worthy?” Should I vote for the person whose policies benefit me the most or benefits society the most? Then again, “worthy” sounds like a judgment of character, not policy.
And what about speaking “no evil.” Sounds easy enough, but does that mean saying only good things to the exclusion of the truth?
Perhaps the most challenging piece of this advice is not to take things personally. To stay friends with people who voted differently than you did. This, I think, is the crux of the matter. As a privileged white woman, while this is challenging for me, it might not be impossible. And I’ve heard this wisdom a lot in the past. While we can disagree politically, we can still be friends personally.
However, politicians have turned so many personal issues into political issues. Government policies have blurred the lines between what is political and what is personal. Most divisive issues in the political landscape affect people on deeply personal levels. Policies around gay marriage, abortion, race relations have an impact that reaches deeper than our skin. Even issues like health care and war are issues of life and death.
I tend to think this is intentional. It’s easier for politicians to divide and conquer than unite and lead. We are being manipulated over a handful of issues and vote out of fear. If you watch political ads on tv, you’d think the world would implode if the opposing candidate won the election.
Nevertheless, how is it possible to address these personal things so dispassionately? How are we to remain friends with people who want to legislate beyond the boundaries of our bodies? How have politicians made us so so concerned with policing each other’s bodies? And since when does the government’s jurisdiction reach extend beyond our skin?
I appreciate the people who subscribe to Wesley’s third piece of advice, to remain friends with those of differing political beliefs. I’m not saying I disagree with Wesley, but we must realize how monumental this task may be.
For some people, it might mean simply agreeing to disagree. But for others it means forgiving a personal injury.
It might mean forgiving someone who voted in support of a policy that violates your own humanity. It might even be a policy that threatens your very life. Some might argue that I am dramatic, but I am merely trying my best to put myself in another person’s shoes.
Governments are fallible. Laws and policies that were once celebrated as just are now condemned as cruel. As a country, I pray we continue to seek Liberty, and Justice for all, knowing we’ll frequently fall short. When we do, I hope we do more than agree to disagree. I hope we forgive and ask for forgiveness. I can think of no better mark of Christ in politics.
Kena Hawkins Newkirk 