Hate Came Calling

I didn't go to the rally for John McCain or Sarah Palin when they were in Fairfax.  Neither had I been to a Hillary or Obama rally, although I've been following all of the campaigns for what feels like f-o-r-e-v-e-r.  (As an aside, a serious contender for my vote would be someone who introduces legislation putting a one year term limit on campaigns.)  Early in the weekend just past, it was alarming to hear some of the ethnic assertions that are being made at certain rallies.  My hope and prayers were immediately asking that the racial prejudice that lurks in the corners of our society would not be invited to ferment and fill the room. 

Apparently, hate works faster than hope.  As I prepared to lead a Senior High Sunday school discussion on what happened at the PC(USA) 2008 GA, I was stopped by a parishioner who had come back inside from his car to show me what had been left in every car door in our church parking lot during our Sunday worship service. (see photo)

Hate came calling on a beautiful Sunday morning as we worshipped. 

What do we do when our opinions collide?   

The SS discussion revealed that Youth, and many older adults, find value in "staying neutral" and allowing everyone their own opinion.  This led us to reflect on other questions: How long can you stay neutral?  When has someone crossed a line that requires a response?  What's the best way to 'change' someone's mind on a position? By vote?  By getting to know someone as a fellow human being and then engaging in discussion without the ulterior motive of changing their mind.  Instead, we'd each ask ourselves, "What is God doing here, right now?" Maybe we'd each learn something. 

Hope takes longer because it takes more time and work.  Hate found it is easy to pamphlet a parking lot after producing some negative literature.  It's also easy to make some 'questioning' comments in a speech.  It's a lot harder to sit down and find out why someone with different opinions holds that opinion.  And - it's d*** hard to be open to the possibility that we might not be right.  

"Remember to take the time to talk about what you believe" was the message I've been giving upset parishioners over this 'incident'.  And - keep praying that hate gets scrubbed from all corners of our globe.