I am currently serving on the planning team for an event and through my contact with the members of that team I have been exposed to several new books and authors. One such author is Margaret Wheatley. One book was recommended by the group but another book of hers popped out at me while I was ordering the one that was recommended. Having never read anything by her before I did not know what to expect from either book. The second book is the one I want to focus on. The title is "Turning to One Another: simple conversations to restore hope to the future." It is a series of articles and quotes designed to help people start conversations with others. In our busy world we have stopped conversing with others and we need to relearn how to take the time to enter into conversation with people. When we do the world will be a better place.
One quote in this book jumped off the page at me: "it's not our differences which divide us, it is our judgements about each other that do." That statement spoke volumes to me. Having just gone through an election an few months ago the image which remains fresh in my mind is the amount of judgement that has been passed down on both sides of the political spectrum. But it does not stop there in our world today. Not only does one have to believe the same things I do but they also must follow the exact same action in executing those beliefs. If one does not the result is criticism and judgements. I receive a large number of e-mails from people on both sides of the political spectrum and both sides spend all their time judging the other and complaining about why the other is wrong and they are right.
There is a great scene in the film "Hotel Rwanda" in which the differences between the Hutu's and Tutsi people are described. It seems when the Dutch were running the country they created the division with the idea a divided population would be easier to govern. One of the groups had a lot more prestige and power than the other. When the Dutch gave up control they turned power over the other group making the once persecuted people the ones in charge. The result was those now in power began persecuting those once in power. A mass slaughter of humanity took place all in the name of getting even.
It is not our difference which divide us; it is our judgements about each other which do. When we make the judgement of right and wrong it creates a division which is very hard to mend. All it does is create an ever widening division in our world. We have to be right so we must do everything in our power to prove you wrong.
To be honest I have grown tired of the rhetoric from both sides. Because what I have seen is both sides have their supporters and detractors and who ever screams the loudest feels they have won. So the result is we scream and shout put downs and criticisms with the tag line one can not be a good person if they believe what you believe.
A wise man once said no one has ever converted another person to their side by way of an arguement. I might also add when judgement is passed on another it makes it harder to love that person in the way we as christians are called to love each other.