So how do we build bridges between different groups that
want to maintain their homogeneity? I know that I can be viewed at times as
being a naïve optimist that believes there is the potential for people to focus
on what they share in common with others instead of always fighting over what
makes us different. Is it possible for people of color to work with non-colored
people? Is it possible for people of vastly different educational and
socio-economic backgrounds to partner together? Is it realistic to believe that
someone that is a liberal almost socialist type can actually befriend someone
that is a conservative Christian that could be perceived as an extremist? Is it possible to disagree on the hot issues
of today, i.e. pro-life, pro-choice, LGBTQ community issues or economic reform
and actually be friends that can carry on a civil conversation?
I volunteered and served on the board of a local Habitat for
Humanity Affiliate for more than 8 years and discovered that it is possible for
a rather diverse group of people to work together. The founder of Habitat,
Millard Fuller, would say that the theology of the hammer was able to bring
together people that typically would fight over the most ridiculous things. His
salient point was that when we are actively engaged in doing something with our
hands and minds that we tend not to allow our differences to come to the
surface. This is why world relief organizations like World Vision or Food for
the Hungry can draw their support and volunteer pool from a far-reaching
population.
The real question which I face each day is whether I’m
willing to make a friend with someone that is very different from me? Is it
possible for an older ‘white’ guy, this is me, to befriend a bunch of African
American grandmas? I will even go further and talk about whether a conservative
Christian can purposely go out of his way to make friends with someone that is
pro-choice or someone that is actively promoting the LGBTQ community. I want to
believe that it is possible to do more than just coexist! Habitat and other
nonprofits have taught me that we can choose to purposely work together for the
common good and discover common causes.
My mom taught me so much about looking for the good in
people instead of focusing on our differences that I could view as being evil
in some contexts. I know that as a Christian I’m always pushed to see the
gospel, God’s love, as being inclusive and never beyond touching even the
person who is viewed as the most unworthy recipient. Yet, I have to be honest
that someone like Christopher Hitchings could write his book, ‘God is not great
and religion poisons everything’ and have ample proof that all religions have
done harm while attempting to help.
My dream and hope is to show that it is possible for a Christian,
a Jew, a Muslim, a Gay, an Atheist or liberal politician to work together to
see a marginalized neighborhood turned around or to raise up funds when a
horrific natural disaster happens. I also believe that we could become real
friends and actually enjoy life together regardless of our differences or
am I just being naïve and maybe coexisting is about as good as it gets?
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