Disagree God’s way

Today, I am writing to encourage a Biblical response to our country’s current political divisions. This column is not an attempt to move people toward either party, or even toward a middle group.

According to the headline of a Sept. 24, 2025, Quinnipiac University Poll, “Nearly 8 In 10 Voters Say the United States Is In A Political Crisis.” This suggests that citizens on both sides of the political spectrum, and most who are in the middle, believe the government is currently broken.

In his March 17, 2025, The Daily Article, Dr. Jim Denison acknowledged that divisions are inevitable in any democratic society. However, he goes on to say, “But the depth of partisan rancor we are experiencing today is not simply a function of democracy.”

President Ronald Reagan and Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill were political opponents but also good friends. In fact, when Reagan was nearly killed in 1981, O’Neill was one of the first friends the president allowed to visit. The speaker offered a prayer for the president and then kissed Reagan on the forehead before leaving his hospital room.

Unfortunately, today, political adversaries frequently see one another not as rivals but as enemies. Denison quoted a study that found 63% of Democrats believe Republicans are immoral, and 72% of Republicans view Democrats the same way. Perhaps most frightening is that almost half of American citizens view those in the opposing party as “downright evil.”

It is not wrong, or even unhealthy, for Americans to have a different point of view; however, those of us who are believers must not lose sight of the fact that those with whom we disagree are individuals Jesus loved enough to die for. We must not change what we believe to get along, but neither should we despise others with different opinions.

Jesus often spent time with those the religious leaders of his day saw as worthless. In Matthew 5:44, he told his followers to love their enemies. The Apostle Paul took Jesus’ words further, telling Christians, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:17-18, NLT)

I am especially moved by Paul’s statement, “Do all you can to live in peace with everyone.” Instead of being eager to take offense at what is said by someone with whom I disagree, scripture says I am to be more eager to get along than fight. I cannot help but wonder how much healing our country might experience if each of us committed to disagreeing without being disagreeable.