I feel a deep sadness this week over the outcome of the US election. Although, actually, it really should be none of my business. It's not my country and I didn't get to vote there. What is hard to accept though is that it seems so clearly to me to be the wrong decision. Surely everyone can see that?
And yet some 73 million US citizens disagree with me! That is the danger of holding a view so strongly - that I can arrogantly insist that 73 million people don't know what they're doing and they need my help to get it right :) When I can write off the opinion of the majority like this, I have clearly entrenched myself so deeply in my view that there
is little hope of hearing anyone else's perspective.
This hardening of political (as well as social and religious) views all over the world is causing more and more polarisation in communities, making it that much harder to love our neighbours. How desperately we need to be more curious, open and gracious towards people who see the world differently from us!
And yet some 73 million US citizens disagree with me! That is the danger of holding a view so strongly - that I can arrogantly insist that 73 million people don't know what they're doing and they need my help to get it right :) When I can write off the opinion of the majority like this, I have clearly entrenched myself so deeply in my view that there
is little hope of hearing anyone else's perspective.
This hardening of political (as well as social and religious) views all over the world is causing more and more polarisation in communities, making it that much harder to love our neighbours. How desperately we need to be more curious, open and gracious towards people who see the world differently from us!