Escaping the Culture War

Over the past 4-5 years particularly we have heard much divisive rhetoric from both the right and the left. Evangelical Christians have demanded their voice not only be heard but enshrined in law and represented by political appointment. Liberals in almost knee jerk reflex action have immediately assumed certain political and behavioral traits of Evangelicals. This has been described as "The Culture War."

It represents a type of polarization of society (and I am speaking primarily of American culture which I know best) that has resulted in a nation for which the motto "E Plurabus Unim" is an ironic joke. Although we give lip service to diversity, both right and left only want a nation filled with people just like them.

Ironically, the bulk of society does not fall neatly into one category or another. For instance, take the hot button issue of abortion. While national polls show that most people support the right to an abortion, they don't fully accept "abortion on demand" as an absolute right. They tend to agree that minors should not get abortions without parental notification. They are split on the idea of waiting periods. They generally oppose late term or "partial birth" abortions. But asked if they would support laws that virtually eliminated the abortion option, the answer is "No." So, where does this fall? Left (pro-choice) Right (parental notification, limits on abortion) or somewhere else.

I submit that many of us don't fit the neat categories useful for political discussion on the cable news networks. We don't take absolutists stands. And we are concerned about the politics of division and especially concerned when religion is employed as a tool of that division.

Just to clarify. I am a born-again, spirit-filled, Bible believing, Evangelical Christian. I believe the Bible from cover to cover to be the inspired and infallible word of God. But I also believe that folks from both sides of the political spectrum have co-opted scripture for their own purposes. I also believe that so much of the "culture war" has been an effective diversion by the enemy (that's Satan, in case you are wondering) to neutralize the effectiveness of the Gospel message by making it seem like a political agenda.

So in these articles, I'll be looking at the culture war and try to bring a bit more balance to the table. Sometimes that will mean looking like a flaming liberal. Other times it will mean looking like the most conservative of conservatives. But it should be thought provoking.

Now, I am interested in seeing "intelligent" and "respectful" responses. Any name calling or "You're going to hell" type of posts will be removed. But if you have a reasoned response or rebuttal I'm interested in seeing it. I may not respond to everything. But I will moderate the responses to maintain decorum. One part of the politics of division has been the language of division. I'll speak to that in a future article.

I am interested right now in what parts of the culture war concern you, not as an advocate of one side or the other, but in terms of what you see dividing our society and how we might be able to bring people back together even if they disagree.