Healing the Political Divide

I have been reflecting lately on how different belief systems keep us divided. In particular, I think that there are two major viewpoints that predominate right now, somewhat associated with the United States’ primarily political candidates for the upcoming 2024 election.

In an ideal world, these distinct parties would be able to communicate openly and share ideas. Of course, what we observe is a faction between parties without much productive conversation.

Broadly, we can look at these two camps by the following labels:

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activists
• Far right conservatives

There are many viewpoints that fall in between the two extremes, of course, but those are not often discussed.

How Dogmatic Worldviews Harm Others

I have a friend who is a lesbian woman. Her parents are from rural Alabama, and they are extreme conservative Christians.

They have spent their lives telling her that she is wrong for being who she is and feeling the way she is. They indoctrinated a view in her that she will burn in hell for eternity for the way that she feels. This is hardly how anyone wants to feel from her parents.

The issue, in my view, is that her parents prescribe their particular dogma on her. The challenge is that their religion posits a very clear idea that being gay means burning in hell eternally. Of course, the religion makes many other ideas clear as well.?

So, the fact that their daughter is gay challenges their religious worldview. They have spent their entire lives believing this worldview. It is easier for them to demonize their own daughter than it is to challenge their views.

If you really stop to think about, though, you can see that these, likely older, individuals would have to go through a major identity crisis if their view broke down.

For example, if being gay is okay, then what other ideas that constitute the religion are also wrong??

This is a slippery slope that will eventually lead to a questioning of the entire religious viewpoint. Thus leaving these older individuals in a major identity and belief crisis without good tools to repair that. Their unfortunate solution is to push away their daughter and shame her for being herself.

The Alternative Worldview

Younger individuals that see the flaws in this religious dogma are quick to jump to the conclusion that religion is wrong. Therefore, in their view there is no religion, and the idea of divinity is quickly thrown out as archaic hogwash. The failures of the church and the harms that it has caused are, justifiably, rejected.

Now, what you have, though, is a lot of younger individuals without any guidance offered from a belief system that is shared by society.

An alternative belief system has arisen to subsume the role of religion. That is one of scientism, and the holy institution of how science solves our problems through empirical rigor.

What is seen as ‘woo-woo’ is thrown out as fanciful garbage. Anything that cannot be seen or observed is not worthy of consideration.?

The power of science and technology to advance our civilization is worshiped as the guiding force. With that, intellectualism is paramount.

The compassion of caring for others, and the acknowledgment of the failure of society to have compassion for people of different races, religions, belief systems, sexualities, etc., is compensated for by this camp.

The conservative Christian types are held as the enemy for their failure to provide caring compassion and acceptance for others’ different views and expressions of self.

The Problem of the Divide

The problem, in my estimation, is that people don’t talk to one another. There is no God, no higher force, to guide people to want to communicate. In either case, people are drawn into the religious camp or the scientism & diversity camp. I am concerned when either of those views are taken as a guiding worldview, where any fault in that viewpoint would constitute a breakdown of the worldview.

Essentially, it is the same problem that I laid out in my example. Whether you are an evangelical Christian, or an atheist that is involved in a lot of DEI initiatives, the issue remains the same. That is NOT to say that I do not think your views are valid (if you have views that align with those I named or otherwise).

Rather, the issue arises when you identify with one camp and see any idea outside of the groupthink’s views as a problem. You get in an echochamber of your own beliefs.

This can lead to the same kinds of behavior that my friend has suffered. The camp that disagrees with you is condemned, and is seen as the enemy. Violence can erupt, harmful things can be said, people can be fired, and, in some cases, even worse.

The Solution

We need a solution. My solution is a spiritual worldview. A spirituality that connects each person to themselves and the greater community. A spirituality that does not shun others for having a different belief, but welcomes that into consideration. A growing conversation of dialogue and debate where we can collectively consider the ideas of others. This should be led from compassionate hearts, open to new ideas that may threaten your own beliefs.

I worry about the direction the world will go if we don’t see this compassionate, caring worldview for people that think differently. We need open and honest dialogue, where we can say things that offend others, while still holding compassion for that individuals’ human experience. We cannot silence, shun, or shame them, but we need them to be heard and seen.?

Everyone suffers. Will you deny your opposition their humanity? Or will you hold them, in love, and see their pain? Will you listen, and give them the benefit of the doubt? Or will you push them away as the threat, the enemy, the problem? Will you divide us further, or will you open your heart?

About the Author

Cole Butler, LPCC, ADDC, MACP is the Founder of Cole Butler Therapy and Integrative Care Collective (ICC). He writes about issues related to spirituality, health, psychedelic experiences, science, philosophy, and consciousness. In his therapy practice, he offers one-on-one counseling, psychedelic integration therapy, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Additionally, as a community leader at ICC, he helps to build relationships and offer support to other mental health providers. Learn more by checking out his therapy website or the ICC website.