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cover of episode Is 'Do Unto Others' the way to bridge the political divide?

Is 'Do Unto Others' the way to bridge the political divide?

2024/11/27
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Consider This from NPR
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People
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Bob Lewis
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Frank Langfitt
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Patty Goyette
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Steffi White
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Tommy Longnecker
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Tony Rita
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主持人
专注于电动车和能源领域的播客主持人和内容创作者。
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牧师Chris Morgan
Topics
牧师Chris Morgan：在宾夕法尼亚州郊区的一座基督教联合卫理公会教堂，面对美国日益严重的政治分歧，牧师Chris Morgan发起了一个名为“己所不欲，勿施于人”的布道系列。该系列旨在通过强调基督教的仁爱、尊重、爱、谦卑和同情等价值观，来帮助教区居民在政治观点存在差异的情况下，依然能够和平相处。他认为，无论选举结果如何，教徒都应该展现这些价值观。他分享了自己在一次长途自行车旅行中因缺乏食物和水而被困的故事，以此来比喻人际关系的维护，强调沟通和倾听的重要性。 Tommy Longnecker和Bob Lewis：两位邻居，一位是特朗普的支持者，另一位则对特朗普持保留态度。他们通过“己所不欲，勿施于人”的标语，在政治观点存在分歧的情况下，找到了共同点，并进行了积极的沟通，增进了彼此的理解。 Patty Goyette：一位教区居民，她分享了该布道系列如何帮助她改善了她与伴侣的关系。她表示，牧师的布道让她改变了视角，开始思考如何修复与伴侣之间的关系，并通过倾听和理解来解决问题。 Tony Rita：一位教区居民，他对该布道系列持批评态度，认为它鼓励了人们在教堂公开表达政治观点，破坏了教堂的宁静，尤其是在特朗普险些遇刺之后。 Steffi White：一位教区居民，她认为该布道系列没有充分谴责特朗普的仇恨言论，未能充分区分两党在政治言论上的差异，这导致了一种虚假的等同性。 Frank Langfitt：记者Frank Langfitt对该布道系列进行了报道，他认为该系列在个人层面取得了一定的成功，帮助一些人从基督教的视角看待问题，并以更平和的方式处理政治分歧。但他同时也指出，该系列的参与度可能不如预期，而且其影响范围有限，弥合全国范围内的政治分歧需要更广泛的努力。 Mary Louise Kelly：主持人Mary Louise Kelly总结了该布道系列的尝试，并指出弥合美国政治分歧需要长期而广泛的努力，可能需要一代人的时间。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why did Pastor Chris Morgan initiate the 'Do Unto Others' sermon series?

To address and help his congregation navigate the political divisions ahead of the November election, providing spiritual tools to show kindness, respect, love, humility, and compassion.

What was the immediate context for the 'Do Unto Others' series?

A day before the series began, a man nearly assassinated then-candidate Donald Trump, leading Morgan to ask for prayers for Trump, the victims, and the shooter's family.

How did the 'Do Unto Others' message impact individual parishioners?

It helped some, like Patty Goyette, to manage personal and political divisions by changing their perspective to focus on kindness and compassion, rather than confrontation.

What were some criticisms of the 'Do Unto Others' program?

Some, like Tony Rita, felt it encouraged political opinions in church, disrupting the peace and quiet intended for spiritual closeness. Others, like Steffi White, wished it had openly criticized harmful rhetoric from political figures.

Did the 'Do Unto Others' program have a noticeable effect on community relations?

Yes, it facilitated meaningful conversations between neighbors, such as Tommy Longnecker and Bob Lewis, who discussed their faith for the first time despite differing political views.

How widespread is the 'Do Unto Others' approach among churches?

It is part of a broader effort among United Methodist Churches, though it remains localized and requires many similar programs to potentially bridge the national political divide.

What is the long-term outlook for bridging the political divide in the U.S. through such initiatives?

It could take a generation, requiring numerous efforts and programs across the country to make a meaningful impact given the deep and wide divisions among voters.

Chapters
Pastor Chris Morgan introduces a sermon series called 'Do Unto Others' to help his congregation navigate political divisions. The series aims to promote kindness and civility amidst political tensions.
  • Pastor Chris Morgan planned the 'Do Unto Others' series to address political divisions ahead of Election Day.
  • The series includes sermons, t-shirts, and lawn signs promoting civility.
  • NPR's Frank Langfitt visits the church to observe the impact of the series.

Shownotes Transcript

On a Sunday in mid-July, Pastor Chris Morgan welcomed worshipers to Christ United Methodist Church in suburban Pittsburgh with a simple message.That Sunday was particularly difficult.A day earlier, a man had nearly assassinated then-candidate Donald Trump forty miles north in Butler. Morgan asked people to pray for Trump and those killed and injured in the shooting, and asked the congregation to pray for the family of the shooter.Morgan had already planned a sermon series, called Do Unto Others, to deal with the nation's — and his congregation's — political divisions ahead of Election Day. NPR's Frank Langfitt went to Christ Church the weekend before Election Day – and the weekend after – to see if the efforts there made a difference. As Americans prepare to come together at Thanksgiving, how do we bridge this country's political divide? And can we? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org). Email us at [email protected]).Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)