Fig Tree - Editorial

Editorial

After election, it's time to rebuild unity undone by politics

Building unity in the nation after an election cycle and time of traumatic divisions can be informed by the ecumenical understanding of unity in diversity.

Unity is not uniformity of belief or thought. Ecumenical dialogue goes beyond the either/or mindset some media promote to cover "both sides." In reality, there are multiple perspectives, not just two opposite views.

It's true in political parties. Democrats include conservatives, centrists, moderates, center-left, progressives, liberals, democratic socialists and more. Republicans include Trump loyalists, Christian right, libertarians, neoconservatives, QAnon, the Tea Party movement, conservatives, moderates, the Lincoln Project and more.

Christians also have a range of Catholics, Protestants, non-denominational, inter-denominational, evangelical, pentecostal, orthodox, charismatic and spiritual congregations, parishes and centers, with divisions even within those groupings, as do many faiths—Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and more.

Many people of faith have learned that when they allow their differences to divide, rather than holding to the basic tenet they espouse—love—they discredit their faith.

It's hard to listen and love beyond disagreements, but ecumenical and interfaith organizations connect people of faith to engage in dialogue to seek common ground—like caring for the vulnerable, improving communities, protecting creation, making peace, doing justice, praying together and joining in worship.

In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden said: "History, faith and reason show the way of unity. We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. Without unity, there is no peace, no progress, no nation."

Vice President Kamala Harris has also said: "Our unity is our strength and diversity is our power."

We face divisions about masking, distancing and vaccines to overcome the pandemic; about finding alternatives to carbon-emitting fuels of the oil industry; about police use force against nonviolent protestors; about including people across the racial, gender, LGBTQ divides in a just economy—to name a few.

"We can disagree, but need to recognize our common humanity," former President Barack Obama said on Jan. 20.

Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, 22, also uplifted the need to bridge divisions:

• "Somehow we've weathered and witnessed a nation that isn't broken, but simply unfinished.

• "We lift our gazes not to what stands between us but what stands before us.

• "We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another."

Her words move us to create a nation that continually is working on healing and caring, seeking justice and equality, and living freedom and democracy.

While some may feel relief from ongoing anxiety, culminating in an insurrection, it's never time to sit back when an election is decided. Democracy takes continual work. It requires accountability. It requires laws, traditions and ethics. It requires listening, finding common ground and focusing on that, not just garnering power for the next election cycle.

We elect people to represent us to make laws, set taxes, build infrastructure and establish programs to benefit all people.

Believing unity in diversity is possible, there's always work to do to assure we have a government of the people, by the people and for the people—the myriad of diverse people who are the USA.