For many of us, we are in the exciting season that is election season. For others, we are in the worst season. As a politics junkie with a bachelor’s degree in political science, this season is full of fun as I stay up late for every Super Tuesday, clear my schedule as much as I possibly can for party conventions, watch all of the debates, and fill out a Senate and electoral college maps - a politics junkie’s equivalent of a March Madness bracket.
Though I love election season, I am also aware that politics does not always draw out the best in us, especially for political junkies. I can easily fall back into wanting to prove a point more than genuinely hear an opposing opinion. I contribute to the unhealthiness of our current political climate of polarization through the in-take of hyper-partisan news sources that affirm but do not challenge my opinions. When looking at the inner workings of politics, foul play in one party is corruption, but in another party it is the name of the game.
This awareness affirms a hard-learned lesson from my “political behavior” class in college. People who are most like me in their political behavior are not those who agree with me but are less passionate and less involved. Rather, those who are most like me are people on the opposite side of the political spectrum but share the same level of passion and involvement.
“The other” or the “opposing force” and I are both making campaign contributions and rolling our eyes at campaign yard signs. We are taking in too much television news, and are conflating positions on nuanced issues with our moral compass. We are firm in our positions and our opinions do not frequently change. We spend too much time in the comment sections on social media outlets and online news articles. Yet, because of political polarization, “you all are a lot alike,” is a reality check, and an unwanted check. But it is good news.
Despite all the ways we separate ourselves from each other, at our core, we are not that different from each other. We all go to the ballot box with our family and future on our minds. And in a polarizing political climate, including swing-state Ohio, scripture calls us to find our commonality in Christ, as we break bread together (6ft apart), pray together, sing together, and simply live together.
A modern paraphrase,
“There is no longer Democrat or Republican, there is no longer liberal or conservative, there is no longer Trump voter and Biden voter; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Living into being one body of people in Christ is not easy when our political climate is polarized and simultaneously shaping our own personal identities. However, this lesson is an invitation to listen to others we disagree with, find commonality, and build one another up instead of tearing each other down. And it’s refreshing news as it reminds us that our God is bigger than the toxic political climate that we often find ourselves in.
I will likely need to remind myself of Christ’s inclusion and my shared humanity within 24 hours, because in a split second, through thought or word I may forget the good news. But living into one body is what I am called to do and to strive for. As the church lives into being one body in Christ, may we, mere persons, live into our shared humanity.
Your sibling in Christ,
Pastor Alec
(he, him, his)
P.S.: Have you planned your vote? With means of voting changing state by state due to Covid, it may be in your best interest to plan ahead.
Registering to vote:
- The deadline to register in Ohio is October 5.
Early voting:
- Early in-person voting in Ohio starts on October 6.
- You may vote early in-person at your county’s board of elections. (search for hours)
Absentee voting:
- The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 12 pm on October 31.
- Absentee ballots must be postmarked by the day before election day (November 2), or they must be turned in at the county board of elections by 7:30 pm on election day.
- OR: request your ballot now, fill it out and send it back as soon as you receive it.
- If you send your ballot a week or less before election day, make sure it gets postmarked.
You may also vote in-person on election day, Nov. 3.
For more information on voting in Ohio: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/