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<\/a>Some of us were told growing up never to talk about religion and politics over dinner. Perhaps that is why so many of us talk about sports at bars and grills. Sometimes churches even have Super Bowl parties with people rooting for the opposing sides. But how often will you find Election Night parties sponsored by churches made up of opposing views\u2014the elect and the reprobate (the latter being whoever champions the candidates I despise most, especially those who are pulling for the Cleveland Indians)?<\/p>\n
Of course, sports is higher (and politics more foundational) on Maslow\u2019s Hierarchy of Needs<\/a> as entertainment. Still, for many people today, sports is like a religion. Does that mean religion is now entertainment? If so, does it make it harder for us to talk about politics at church, especially if we would rather amuse ourselves to death than get caught up in conflict?<\/p>\n My hope would be that people across the political spectrum could talk about such pressing subjects as \u201cBlack Lives Matter,\u201d \u201cBlue Lives Matter,\u201d and \u201cAll Lives Matter\u201d at church in civil and open ways. While it is often the case that discussions on these subjects can easily become divisive in a culture where polarization appears to be the candidate of choice, is it not worth the risk so that we can learn how to engage in these pressing conversations? None of us see life from God\u2019s-eye-point-of-view; and all too often, instant replay is not readily available to us as referees when officiating the pressing political and ethical concerns in our society. So, we really need to listen to one another so that we can expand our perspectives and even develop more educated opinions.<\/p>\n Two upcoming conferences slated for next week help us develop greater understanding and exposure on the issues that so often divide us, one in Portland, Oregon (\u201cRedeeming the Soul of America: Race, Justice and Reconciliation\u201d<\/a>), and the other in Dallas, Texas (Mosaix 2016<\/a>). For the latter, one can attend remotely via http:\/\/live.newchurches.com\/<\/a>. In either event, the issues discussed are by no means subjects that we can easily discount by clicking off or changing the channel with the remote control.<\/p>\n Now for another very pressing and timely subject\u2014the World Series, which is not always a matter of fun and games, especially for Cubs fans. If my fellow Chicago Cubs\u2019 fans can finally forgive Steve Bartman for spoiling our team\u2019s chances of getting to the World Series back in 2003<\/a>, maybe we Cubbie Christians (and there are a lot of us long-suffering losers) can make space at church for those who would try to mess with our candidates\u2019 chances of winning the upcoming elections. However, we will first need to make sure their candidates of choice are rooting for the Cubs, and not the Indians. After all, our need as Cubbies for a World Series championship is probably physiological at this point\u2014the most basic of Maslow\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n