Father and Joe E377: How to Guard Your Mind in a Divisive Political Climate: Faith, Love, and Responsibility

Father and Joe

In this episode of Father and Joe, Joe Rockey and Father Boniface Hicks tackle a pressing issue we all face today: navigating the hateful and divisive political climate that is so prevalent during election seasons. Joe shares his observations on how political advertising today is filled with negativity, hate, and division. He explains, “One of the responsibilities of building a successful society, of being holy, is to not spread hate. Hate being pretty much the opposite of love.”

Together, Joe and Father Boniface reflect on how we can protect ourselves from falling into these traps of negativity, starting with personal responsibility. As Father Boniface highlights, “When you notice something that is irritating, frustrating, or hurtful, rather than simply condemning others for it, you're asking the question, 'Am I doing that?' That attitude is already such a remedy. If we were all doing that, we'd be much better off.”

Father Boniface takes the conversation deeper by connecting it to the example of Christ, who "took responsibility for everyone, as if he were the one creating all the problems. God made him to be sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." He explains how Jesus' sacrifice invites us to take ownership of the ways we contribute to division, both big and small, while still acknowledging that we are victims at times too.

This episode offers valuable insights on how to break away from the toxic patterns of modern political discourse. Rather than demonizing others, we are encouraged to "try to understand the best of your opponent's argument. Rather than setting up a strawman argument, set up a strongman argument or an Ironman argument."

The conversation also touches on how shallow political messages have become, with Joe explaining that most campaign ads are “intellectual cotton candy” – designed to evoke strong feelings but lacking any real substance. He advises, “I think it’s more about the how than the who. Like, what are you actually going to do? How are you going to solve this question? Because at the end of the day, all I’ve heard is platitudes… they say you’re a bad person if you don’t agree with this, but there’s no substance to it.”

This episode serves as a much-needed reminder that, as Christians, we are called to live in love, even in the most heated and hostile environments. It challenges us to engage with politics and society in a way that reflects Christ’s teachings, seeking to spread love rather than hate, and striving to understand rather than condemn.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the negativity of modern politics and are looking for ways to stay grounded in your faith, this episode is for you. Remember, we can’t control everything, but we can control how we respond and how we contribute to the conversation. Let’s do it with love.

Tune in now to hear more valuable lessons on how we can transform today’s divisive environment into one of love, understanding, and healing.

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