One of the nastiest earmarks of the "culture war" mentality is incivility. When we are embattled as culture warriors, we see those who disagree with us as enemies who must be delegitimatized and destroyed. We no longer see people, but opponents. I have always said that rising generations are crying out for a rapid infusion of grace and civility into a public arena where anger and hubris flow all too freely. This doesn't mean that we compromise our convictions, but that we articulate our positions in a more Christlike manner.
One of the most unique efforts to emerge on this front is the
Civility Project, spearheaded by
Lanny Davis, former White House Counsel for Bill Clinton, and
Mark Demoss, head of the largest evangelical PR firm in America. They are an unlikely pair, but they bring a refreshing message: we need to learn to
disagree without being disagreeable. This hinges on three commitments:
- Civility in public discourse and behavior.
- Respect for others whether or not you agree with them.
- Standing against incivility.
The Civility Project promotes a message that I know will resonate with rising generations of Christians who are weary of the cultural catfights. As the Apostle Peter writes in
1 Peter 3:15, we should always be prepared to defend our beliefs, BUT we must do so with gentleness and respect.
What do you think about the cultural bent toward incivility and this effort to counter it?
Anyone else tired of the shouting matches and name-calling? This healthcare debate has created a flea market for misinformation that has attracted hot-tempered patrons in record numbers. It is a debate that must be had, but it is nearly impossible to have it in the current environment.
