Differing Views

A World of Disagreement

Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, people have disagreed with each other. History has countless examples of how disagreements have led to war, death, and destruction.

Disagreements don’t need to be a terrible thing; instead, they can and should lead to healthy discussion and cooperation. It’s not easy, though!

In a world full of sin, how can we handle differing views?

Factions

In the United States, one of the biggest disagreements is between factions, which are known today as political parties.

James Madison described a faction as, “A number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or a minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.”

Political parties aren’t necessarily bad like many think. They’re designed to be a good thing, allowing those with similar beliefs to work together toward similar goals.

The ability to align ourselves with a political party is a right outlined in the Constitution, specifically in the First Amendment. However, when this right isn’t practiced effectively, difficulties arise. When political parties can’t work together it becomes meaningless to have them.

John Adams said it well, “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.”

James Madison said this about the division that can come from factions, “The latent causes of faction are thus sown in the nature of man; and we see them everywhere brought into different degrees of activity, according to the different circumstances of civil society. A zeal for different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points, as well of speculation as of practice; an attachment to different leaders ambitiously contending for pre-eminence and power; or to persons of other descriptions whose fortunes have been interesting to the human passions, have, in turn, divided mankind into parties.”

Factions can be a good thing, but, when we get too worked up about them, we lose sight of what is truly important.

Living Together in the World Despite Division

It’s vital as Christians that we stand firm in our faith, but that doesn’t mean we can’t listen to others’ views. Listening to others provides us an opportunity to share Christ and His truth with them. It’s sad that many people refuse to listen to someone else because their views are different.

Without hearing a different viewpoint it’s hard to think critically about what we believe. We need to be put in situations that cause us to contemplate what we believe. Having our beliefs challenged helps us to be convicted of them.

Engaging in political discussion doesn’t need to involve extreme opposition and hate. Instead, healthy debate can be used to unite our country and make it stronger.

In the 1968 film, ‘The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band,’ one of the characters said, “There’s a time to stand up for what you believe in and there is a time to join hands and work together.”

Often, the best thing we can do is accept that there are differing views, hold to our convictions, and focus on reflecting the light of Jesus to the culture. This doesn’t mean we’re going to change people’s minds, but it allows us to effectively live in a world of division.

What Can We Do?

Working together with people we don’t agree with is easier said than done and it’s very easy for tempers to flare.

To have a successful conversation about differing views in areas such as our faith, politics, morality, creation, or family, we must respect each other’s opinions. Being respectful allows everyone to speak, and share their opinions, leading to meaningful discussion. Doing this allows us to gain a new perspective and learn how others think.

Talking with someone we disagree with starts with listening. Without listening there’s no ground for discussion.

Next, we need to think about what we believe, and what truth is. (The Bible is a great thing to reference for this!)

Before stating our view, we must acknowledge that we heard what the other person said.  

When we start our “side” of the conversation, we must start with the evidence for what we believe. Once we give evidence, we can use it to explain what we believe and why we believe it.

Give these steps a try next time you’re talking to someone with different views. You never know what you’ll learn!

Conclusion

I hope this post was helpful and gave insight into engaging with those we disagree with. I pray that each of us will take the time to talk with those we don’t necessarily like or agree with and use it as an opportunity to show Christ’s love. God can show us some beautiful truths amid disagreement. Maybe we’ll illuminate the truth for someone else, or, they just might illuminate the truth for us.

This article tells the incredible story of Thomas Jefferson’s and John Adams’s incredible friendship despite disagreement. https://totallyhistory.com/john-adams-and-thomas-jefferson/

Until next time…

“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.”