Five ways your church can avoid falling into the trap this election year.
In the beginning, God created man and woman in his own image. Every person on this planet is therefore born with inherent dignity and value, worthy of being treated with respect and honour.
Yet, when it comes to topics that touch on deeply held beliefs and personal experiences, like racism, religion and politics, tensions can run high – and with them, our emotions. It’s all too easy to fall into the trap of allowing our emotions to dictate our responses, often leading to heated arguments rather than constructive conversations.
The act of regularly recognising the divine image in others serves as a useful reminder for us to check our language when describing or sharing opinions about other people and their beliefs. When we use that as a starting point, we are more ready to engage with opinions that oppose our own.
Here are some simple strategies you can share with your church to help people better engage with challenging discussions and de-escalate tensions:
