The American political landscape is ugly. A battlefield of slander, deception, and mudslinging leaves scars on most involved at the national level. However, political agendas from both sides of the aisle have become damaging to the people. One of the clearest ways this is seen is in the ways the political Left and political Right dehumanize others. What should Christians think about this?
Seemingly every time one turns on the news–or, even worse, scrolls through social media in search of political updates–someone is on the screen yelling at or about another person.
This behavior has become far more normal than it ever should have. How did it get this way? One can argue that society's culture simply mirrors Washington and the country's representatives.
Heavy-handed partisan rhetoric only stokes the flames of discord and disunity within this country's politics. It damages cross-party relationships, weakens democracy, and causes even more problems than America already has. According to studies conducted by the Pew Research Center, a majority of Americans affiliated with a political party believe those who are on the other side of the aisle, without exception and without consideration of getting to know them, are more lazy, more immoral, and more dishonest, while being less intelligent.
These thoughts also serve as a means of dehumanizing others.
The importance and value of individuals as human beings, even those who sit on the opposite side of the political aisle, is something that has been lost on many. In light of the Imago Dei and God's love for mankind, Christians should challenge this dehumanizing culture.
In a slight deviation from our normal format, we will discuss how the US Left and US Right fail in this regard, and then what the Bible has to say on the subject.