How do you have meaningful conversations and bond with people with opposite political views? Do you try to avoid people altogether with opposite political views? Sometimes, we do not have a choice with whom we interact (such as boss, pastor, neighbor, in-laws, etc.). I do not avoid people with different views, but now I am wondering if it is even worth the hassle to bond with such people (since they probably disagree with your views and so do not like you anyway)? The best solution is probably avoid some topics, but you really cannot bond with people if you cannot talk openly. I am facing some challenges with communicating with my pastor. We have communicated by email but I have avoided talking on the phone (which I believe is obvious to her now). We got along really well but then she became a bit political. It would be impossible to have a phone call and completely avoid political issues. What am I supposed to say, if she says that there is so much systemic racial injustice in our country. Personally, I believe there is some racism in our country but not so much so where it stops someone from accomplishing his/her goals? However, my pastor may take my views personally (she is African American).
I would like input from both sides. Please, no comments about female pastors.
Sister,
Christ said, if the world hates you be of good cheer, because it hated me first. If you were part of the world they would love you.
Look, Racism will never be stomped out completely until people change their hearts from self centered egotistical, to selfless humility. That is for any hateful stance from anyone. Tgis won’t happen till Christ comes back because people love the darkness over light.
Just like the war on terrorism will never be won because of the radicalization of some people. This is nothing new and has existed in religion.
For the most part I agree, most people are not racist. Nor is it systemic. That is rhetoric used to cut and divide people and drive them to a certain political end goal. If it were true how is there so many different races and religions represented in the leadership of the US? There is not one job that I know of that a people of variations of skin pigmentation or regions have been stopped from working or not held at this time. Has there not been a darker pigment man as President? Now a Vice President as they like to call black/or African American and female?
It is ok to stand for the truth. There is nothing wrong with that. Just do it in love and humility. Not from a stance of you are so wrong and I am so right. Remember how Christ accepted and ate with sinners? While those religious leaders of the day judged him for it?
Do it from the stance of open ended conversations of points and counter points. It can be exhausting but, they have a platform. Which means they probably impact what some people think and believe.
Maybe you might have to put up with some pain but, end up changing her mind. Who in turn changes her stance and tells the people to ch age their mind if it be the will of God. Either way, you will have stood for truth, and one day you might have to all the way to death.
Maybe you can ask her to define and show you the proof of the systemic racism? Given our current multi colored and cultural status in all jobs and aspects of life even now completing it with a female that they state is “black”. There are just bad people in all aspects of society from the top to the bottom in kinds all kind sod jobs. They do bad things, so times to people of opposite pigmentation. Where they truly racist?
Not that there aren’t those who are still raised to hate out there based on skin color but, you cannot ignore the fact that culture of hate and distrust not matter how big or small Is not associated to any single race/group but, does occurs in all colors and cultures of society. Just Like there is “good” and “bad” people in all races and cultures.
That is why I say if our government truly cares. Then they need to start the change. First by stop using the racial designations created by racists to identify and group people into black and white. That we the people need to stop identifying with one or the other of those groups associated with stereotypes. To stop treating the two groups differently. There are both poor “what’s/black” people. There are crappy places and schools they both live and attend. They’ both have drug dealers/users, they both have thieves. It is simply the way the government can try and sell control to keep people managed and fighting each other. Notice this is only a two party barritive what about “brown” people and others. Are they not destitute/poor too and successful/rich just like “black and white”?
If so, then what is the purpose of this black and white rhetoric?
there is truly only separation of classes, rich and poor, getting poorer....
Having them believing the narrative in order to separate and segregate the population from realizing they are trying to take your rights away
if you get the chance, ask her In private or a small group, have her define what is black and white? Who is what? Why? Is it an experience that makes them black? Which one? One that other people of different skin pigmentation/“black/brown/white” do not experience? Where is the cut off for skin pigmentation for black and white to establish one from the other? There are light skinned aka white African Americans so it isn’t just Africa?
I recently did a DNA test and found I am a Mutt with DNA from almost every nation. I am made up of all kinds of cultures and places. I am not “white”. I am everything. Yet physically most people would assume due to certain features I am white. Actually my celebrated curlier is mostly Hispanic. Yet I am also African, Arabian, Jewish, and Egyptian so how do I define me? Multi cultural. No specific race or nation. I am an American but before that I am of “The Way”, which is the original followers of the Christ.
So I am saying do not avoid, or be afraid of those people. Because they, or those like them, may be the ones who cause the changing of laws and persecution of the true believers to happen. Will you back down when that happens?
Love, A brother in Christ.
