Pastor's Perspective

Below is a message I delivered to the church I serve on May 13, 2012.  Maybe a little more scolding than I intended, but I stand by it.  And I had already heard enough hate speech (and speech that bordered on hate speech) flying around the community.  I hate doing stuff like this.  I'm disappointed that the times require it.  

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We 're all aware that there is an election in Wisconsin in June and a national election in November. We have all heard the political language this year get uglier and uglier. And it will probably get a lot worse before it gets better.

As an American you have the right to say whatever you want to whomever you want, as loud as you want, using any language you want. That's your right.

But as followers of Jesus Christ I hope that you will express yourselves politically with decency and respect for those who disagree with you. Every political discussion you happen upon is an opportunity for you to do so, AS YOUR WITNESS TO YOUR FAITH. When we engage in name-calling and hate speech we witness to a belief that the cross and resurrection of Jesus was for nothing; that nothing in the world changed; that the healing of the world through the coming of the Kingdom of God is not possible.

If, however, we believe that the power of Christ is real, we should reflect the spirit of Christ, even in our political speech. We should remember that the 8^th commandment is still in effect. Hate speech is not an option for us, even if your best friends engage in it. No one should hear hate speech in our sanctuary, in our Fellowship Hall, in our parking lot, or in our Thrift Shop.

Jesus calls us – not to legislate our faith, but to live it. We are to be examples of life lived in love – not bullies, not crybabies, not examples of hate. Our goal, as people of faith, should not be to lower our standards to match the times, to match the worst behavior around us. Rather Christ calls us, as a community, to be a light on a hill, leaven for the bread, to affect the whole – not by force, not through screeching or name-calling, but by being the adults in the room, being teachers of civil behavior.

What should you do if you hear someone badmouthing your side? “Those blah blah blah, they're all blah blah blah. Somebody ought to blah blah blah...”  If someone says that about your team, feel free to say something like “I heard what you said about me. And I forgive you.”