CROSSING THE AISLE

CROSSING THE AISLE

Political Identity May Be Making You Sick. This Can Help You.

TOLERANCE AND FORGIVNESS ARE TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT HUMAN ATTRIBUTES THAT MANY BELIEVE GOD INPLANTED IN US.


THEY SAY NOT FORGIVING IS LIKE 

DRINKING POISON AND EXPECTING YOUR OPPONENT TO DIE.

Self Inflicted Stress. What a mess.

The world can be a scary place. Especially, for those who don't have the secure belief and identity in a sovereign God, who created us and loves us deeply. Those who "truly" have their identity in God, tend to be more at peace. 


So, it's understandable that people who do not have this belief, will try to find comfort and security in a variety of other ways to make the world seem more controllable and understandable. Often, this can lead to a defensive pride, which can poison reasoning very easily, and cause a soul damaging self inflicted stress when others question these beliefs.

What if all people, whether they know it or not, are actually searching for the peace of (let's say a sovereign God) in their lives. What if It's just the way we are "wired". The need to worship something burns in our spirit. Many have tried to have a relationship with God but it didn't work out. So now what do they do? In many cases, they find an alternative. And there are many.


Sometimes, we look for this peace in the most surprising places such as honor, sex, drugs, people and pet relationships, financial security, pride, politics, power, and life's many comforts to name a few. Our IDENTITY can become wrapped in them. 

One of the "alternate gods" that has recently increased in America, is that more people than ever before, have made politics their de facto religion in place of more traditional institutions. This has lead to a serious problem when people with opposing political values, challenge these folks with their alternate opinions.


In many cases, the "challengers" are dismissed as foolish immoral people and are rejected. Even with their friends or family. They are sometimes considered enemies. It's as if those who oppose their political views, have somehow disrespected and insulted their "god". The god of government and political views.

This new type of animosity and separation of people living in the United States of America, is leading to a great deal of evil and heartbreak in the souls of many people. This is happening at levels never before seen. We must do something about it because people are making themselves sick over it. We were created and designed to love, not hate. It's just not healthy. And, we all stand to lose because of it.

Jesus Christ had a great solution.

Whether you are a Christian or not, the words of Jesus Christ 2000 years ago might be worth considering in current political times. 


“Love your neighbor as yourself.”


"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."


BUT WHY?

Closed ears. Closed mind.

Considering that Christianity changed the world in many ways for the good of mankind, perhaps we should consider what Jesus said above. 


(To see a list on 7 ways the world changed because of Christianity please CLICK HERE.)


It's time to realize that people who have different political views are not your enemies.

Ready to be joyful again?

YOU CAN DO IT.

So maybe, it's time to figure out if you are a happy person. 


  • Has political "worship" damaged your life somehow? 
  • Are you always angry and frustrated with "those other people"? 
  • Have you rejected family and friends? 
  • Do you always need to be right? 
  • Has being correct and winning the argument become the most important thing in your life? 
  • Have you lost the ability to forgive and forget and just enjoy life? The ability to love. 


If any of these things describe you, below is a list of suggestions that might help you get back on track to the old you who was perhaps more happy go lucky with less stress in your life. The you who enjoyed all the beautiful little things in this world without worrying about how to control every aspect of others human behavior and their ideas you disagreed with.


REMEMBER, IF WINNING THE POINT IS YOUR ONLY GOAL, YOU ALREADY LOST SO MUCH.


Are You Willing To Do The Work?

Everyone's political opinions come from a variety of experiences and events that happened in their lives, just like yours. And like you, other people with different views value what they believe. Being too quick to shut others down could be a sign that your identity is too closely tied to your political beliefs. Sometimes, we can actually get angry with people because they are revealing a truth we don't want to admit. By dismissing them, we don't have to think about it. And, believe it or not, YOU COULD BE WRONG. Try to find shared values. We are more alike than you think.       

Be A Good Listener

Open your ears. Hear what the other point of view is saying first. Then, if you CAN'T calmly convince another person with facts, (not a social media opinion) indicating that your views should be considered, then politely agree to disagree and walk away. If you need to resort to yelling or cursing, you probably DON"T REALLY BELIEVE what you are supporting or know why you are supporting it. Try to get more facts. Do the work. Ask yourself, "why does this make me so angry"? The main thing is to put your opinions into perspective and remember, they are just opinions.

To Question Is American

Always keep in mind that free people have been debating political ideas in America for 250 years. Both good and bad things have come out of it all. Mostly good or perhaps we would not be here living in freedom. Those who were in the heat of the discussion years ago are now gone, just as we all will be. Try your best to be a good steward of freedom, but always try to KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Life goes by very fast. Don't waste it on fighting with and dismissing others. Ask good questions and hear the answers. If you have real facts that can educate, then use them. But, if you are only stating an opinion, say so. America has always been about a diversity of opinions and we are praised for that.

A Way To Disagree

Name calling and labeling those that disagree with you is exhausting and never works. One of the keys to happiness and joy is to let go of negative energy. Did Jesus know this? When he said to love and forgive everybody, perhaps he knew that with less tension, comes a peace that is hard to find anywhere else. Was he saying, in a sense, that forgiveness is THE PRICE WE PAY to get the true meaning of peace and joy on earth.

Exit Strategy

It's important to know "WHEN TO SAY WHEN". Some debates have no chance of being civil. It might be because one of the people involved is just having a lousy day. Or even a lousy month. All kinds of things can put us in a bad mood. If you find that the person you are debating with, (OR YOU) is on a nasty argumentative level at all times, it may be good to postpone this conversation. Try to have empathy for whatever they may be going through. In fact, why not ask them if anything is wrong and can you help in any way. 

Review

A PLAN THAT LEADS (TO LOVE)


  1. Start with shared values, not differences
    Open the conversation by identifying common ground, such as a commitment to family, community safety, or economic stability. This frames the discussion as collaborative rather than combative and sets a constructive tone.
  2. Practice active listening without interruption
    Let the other person express their views fully before responding. Use verbal cues like “I hear what you’re saying” to acknowledge their perspective, even if you don’t agree. This builds trust and reduces defensiveness. Know the difference between facts and opinions.
  3. Ask open-ended, curiosity-driven questions
    Instead of challenging statements, ask questions like, “What experiences shaped your view on this?” or “How do you see this issue impacting your community?” This encourages deeper dialogue and reveals underlying concerns.
  4. Avoid charged language and generalizations
    Replace labels and sweeping statements with neutral, specific language. Say “Some people interpret this policy as…” instead of “Your side always misrepresents this.” This minimizes emotional triggers. And remember, you might not agree, but you can forgive.
  5. Agree on a respectful exit strategy
    If tensions rise, suggest pausing with, “I value this conversation—maybe we can continue later?” Setting mutual boundaries preserves the relationship and leaves room for future dialogue.

WHO benefits from keeping us divided?

DON'T BE FOOLED. KNOW THE REAL ENEMY. 


There are people and governments around the world that have a vested interest in keeping America's people divided. They use the media and American institutions (including politicians) to their advantage. But don't be fooled. They want us divided.


Abraham Lincoln quoted The Bible when he said "a house divided against itself cannot stand". The time has come for America's people to stand closer together on the common things that unite us. If we are not willing to meet half way, on each others freedom inspired ideas (that we cannot factually reject), then we may be on our way to having others from around the world one day, dictate their point of view on us. Whether we like it or not. 250 years of freedom of ideas, could go down the drain.


We are better than that. What good is gaining political points at the cost of losing freedom and our country's soul. There is a reason that people around the world want to immigrate only here.

Comments

This is such a valuable area. Please don't waste it with messages of hate. That's just a waste of time that makes you feel justified, but no one really cares. Why not use this area to make a case for your point of view to people who view life differently. If you remove the anger and focus on the REAL facts, they just might learn something from you.


Here are some suggestions:


  1. Express you deepest fears or anxieties about our country and why other points of view might disturb you so much.
  2. Mention, if you can, where these fears might come from?
  3. Do you blame others (or yourself) for the negative way you see the country going? (Try to site actual facts as opposed to social media taking head opinions. If you are honest, truthful and vulnerable, many on the other side of the issue might relate, and out of love offer empathy.)
  4. Have you seen the things you want to change direction work elsewhere? (Again, try to site where and how you know these things have been proven.)
  5. If you disagree with someone's "facts" respectfully say so and give your reason without name calling. That never works. But something like this might: 


"I see where you are getting that from, I once actually believed the same thing. But because of ______________, I've changed my mind. Have you ever heard of this? I was really surprised after hearing it. Does this make any sense to you?"


OUR SAMPLE COMMENT:


"I am very concerned about the way young people today have lost their ability to confront each other's ideas about society without having some intense emotional response. I remember being a teenager in Brooklyn NY in the 1970s. My friends and I would argue over politics all the time. We had different ideas and came from different ethnic backgrounds and life experiences. But then we would say "hey, enough of that, lets go play some street punchball." Our worldly point of view never affected our friendship regardless of how we individually felt. That system worked for me throughout adult life. I'll tell you how I feel and you'll tell me how you feel and life goes on. I'm sure you have good reasons for your ideas as I do mine. I'm always glad to respectfully hear your reasoning. I might learn something."

Please leave a comment (with love) 

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