Demonization 2

Having reflected yesterday on the issue of demonizing others, I would like to spend a bit more time wrestling with other aspects of the issue.

It is clear, that in many cases our conflicts are the result of this tendency in all of us to make those with whom we disagree 'the enemy.' Not everyone does it. I have been told that I do it alot. So....

Two things which make this process proceed more vigorously are the tendency to argue to win (rather than REAL dialogue, i.e., ponder together to seek the truth). Winning is so consuming that we make that the goal. (Sort of like those constestants on 'The Bachelor' who seem to forget that marriage is not a tennis match) If the desire to win is a problem, then the tendency to create 'teams' only magnifies it. As we form coalitions to "fight! fight! win!" we become less willing to be reflective. In the name of "togetherness" we gloss over our stuff and focus on their stuff with laser precision.

I know this is a fact. I have seen it in myself and others. And I have especially seen it in the people with whom I disagree! [Because seriously, isn't what 'they' do always easier to see?] At this point, with soft music playing in the background, I am making a plea for genuine dialogue and actual listening and honest evaluation. But that is where the breakdown occurs.

In the Epsicopal Church the word dialogue has long been held up as a value. In reality, in too  many cases, the dialogue is a smoke screen. While we talk and talk, unfortunately, some folks are acting on their beliefs. No consensus needed when you have the reality in place. I recall several years ago (2005ish) when our clergy got together I said the following," You say we are trying to discern together what our future will be. But if I am doing marriage counseling and the wife says she wants figure out where they should live, and I later find out she is moving furniture into a house ten miles away, well, I would say that the decision is already made." Even the Liberal guys admitted that, in fact, the time for talking had passed. So dialogue, which really is a good thing, is probably no longer a viable word to use. And with good reason.

Last week, a very important person in America was bemoaning the behavior of the other side. He basically said that those guys are playing politics and refuse to do what is best for the country and support what I want. It was a clear example of what I am talking about. "They" are bad because "they" won't do what I want....

However, there is another problem. Sometimes we are taking a stand against evil. The abortion debate is a crystal clear example. Killing an unborn baby is evil. Are there ever times it is necessary (say in a tubal pregnancy)? Perhaps. But as a means of birth control it is morally evil. Now, we live in a land where thousands and thousands have terminated their pregnancies in this way. Some people hold up the right to abortion as a good thing. While there is much room to discuss moral culpability (in this environment some people really do not "see" or "get" it. They are truly ignorant) and there are also other co-related issues (pro-life has to address issues of supporting mothers/children with special needs, basic care, food, etc. In other words once they are born then what?), in the end, the issue of killing babies is fundamentally about killing babies. With the recent decision to go after the Roman Catholic Church and force them to fund abortions (I am using shorthand here), I think the moment of dialgue ended. Is it demonizing the position that some in our government have taken to force the Roman Catholic Church to do this? Is it fair to say the policy is evil, even demonic? Is it fair to claim that while some (maybe many) are truly acting in ignorance or are blinded by other factors it is also likely that there are some who understand exactly what they are doing and are intentionally doing it?

My opinion is that abortion is The great evil of our society. I also believe that there is a demonic element to it. And like the man in the synagogue, those under satan's control are themselves, to some degree, also victims. Which brings us back to prayer. It is most important that we love and pray for those whom we have discerned are in the throes of demonic possession/oppression/influence. Exorcism is a gift given to the church. First, we need to seek it for ourselves to get free. Then, we need to employ it as we engage a world which is still, in some places, under the (mis)guidance of the Prince of this World [and I don't mean Jesus!].
Listening to one another and loving one another is the goal, but once you have heard the other and are clear that the other (whom you love) is doing/advocating evil, then the loving thing to do is to confront. Always remembering that in that confronting you are always a potential tool of demons yourself.