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A science fiction message that is appropriate right now

RDKirk

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In one of my favorite television series, The Expanse, there is a scene in which two conflicting factions are only moments away from opening fire on one another. On one side, a Methodist pastor is speaking to one of the most fierce fighters on the side she's wound up with, a man who is determined to go down fighting. In that last few moments of calm, the pastor says:

"On every side of this we have people who have no reason to hate each other. Everyone here thinks they're doing the right thing. Everyone there thinks they're doing the right thing. If we get out of this, we have to find a way to understand each other...to explain why we made the choices that we did. That is the only way to let go of the hate. Hate is a burden. You don't have to carry it with you."

This seems appropriate right about now.
 

Bradskii

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I don't think it's hate that is the problem. It's the absolute certainty by opposing factions that they are right is the problem. There's no grey anymore. It's all black and white. There's no middle ground. There's not even any thought of compromise. Just check the first two of my signatures below for my view.
 
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RDKirk

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I had a Facebook friend who was promoting the idea of cutting off friends and family who didn't vote the way you did in the past elections. My response was essentially what I quoted, particularly when considering people who are actually long-time friends and relatives.

I learned in my military career that it's important in conflict to find out what the other person is afraid of, what they're trying to protect. Maybe their fear is valid, maybe it's not. And maybe your fear is valid, maybe it's not. Maybe your confidence that their fear is unsubstantiated...maybe it's your confidence that's unsubstantiated. Almost certainly your friend or relative has no interest in seeing you come to harm, and you have no interest in seeing them come to harm. That's what I told her.

Alas, her response was to unfriend me.
 
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MehGuy

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I have been trying to trim the intensity of emotions I feel regarding my own politics. Emotions do not just cheapen how I view other people, but also the ability to craft and adjust better arguments for my own political positions.
 
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d taylor

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Politics in satan's kingdoms are supposed to divide and create hate and i am sure as satan's time comes closer to it's end as The Bible gives prophecy to. People will hate more and fight more. 2nd Timothy 2:3

To bad this has also worked its way in to the visible church and i am sure even into the church Jesus is building which is made up of born again believers. As many of these born again believers have become like the prodigal son and gone the way of the world.
 
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