I think the polarization problem we have is a vicious cycle bread out of a total lack of real communication. I spent most of my life in conservative religion and politics. After viewing the hostile climate building through this polarization I got sick of it. I felt the only thing I could was to reach out (across the isle) and stop being so fearful of the ideas I would find. I realized that all my conservative friends (and my self) had something in common.. they only conversed with conservatives, they only listed to conservative talk radio, they only watched conservative news programming, they only read conservative books (political and religious). There was no way they could be anything other than conservatives.

I decided to stop the insanity. I knew very well that there were intelligent liberals. They couldn’t be all idiots… could they? I bought my first liberal book. I had no idea what I was getting into, but I was determined not to pick apart their ideas but to understand there frame of reference. I wanted to be sure it was a person of faith (even if I knew I would disagree on specific issues). The first book was “I don’t care what the Bible says” by Kenneth Cauthen. That sounded controversial enough!!! Well, it wasn’t what I thought.

It turns out I have much in common with Cauthen. Our southern roots and our struggle to play out our faith in the deep south were points of commonality. Before I knew it I grew to admire him and completely understood why he left both the south and the conservative church. Soon I bought one of his theological books and that led to others like Marcus Borg and Bishop Shelby Spong. My view of God and my view of others will never be the same. My life has been changed because I took a step beyond my comfort zone and cared more about reconciliation than self-promotion.

I don’t want to give the idea this is a tale of turning to the dark side. I’m neither conservative or liberal. From a political perspective I could only vote for Libertarians. Both our major parties are corrupt beyond hope of salvation. Both parties (parties not people) should please die and go straight to hell ASAP before they comletely destroy our country! But I share this stroy wherever possible in a hope that people will come to realize there are valid reasons for all sorts of views on God and Politics. What is really important is to get to know the people behind the views before we judge them.

http://doghouseministries.blogspot.com/

The “Jesus Outed” article, while long, is a fun read (I hope).

I got your info from Rick Luoni’s site. He and I are locals here and he is a most amazing man.

The polarization is as you describe. I am wondering (aloud) if what we have not missed is simply, “the Center” who is Christ Himself.

I’m gonna peruse around here for a bit.