How Labels Undermine Faith and Fracture Community

I was debating whether to write this post, but I’m going to follow my gut and share this commentary because it reflects what is happening in this country. If people are not discerning about what leaders are saying, their words can continue to lead us into dangerous territory.

This is somewhat of a Christian commentary, but it applies to any religion, philosophy, ideology, political affiliation, or other context in which a person feels superior to others and treats those with differing views as less than.

Labels are putting family members and neighbors against each other. Leaders know this and are using it effectively to create chaos and advance their particular agendas.

About a week ago, I was watching a video of a The Gospel Coalition panel discussion, where the theme was “Reflecting on 20 Years of God’s Faithfulness.” The Gospel Coalition was celebrating the 20th anniversary of the organization’s founding. I usually read their articles because they are informative and interesting. I have noticed that the organization has undergone many changes over the last five or six years, and in my opinion, this is because they are getting too involved in politics. The video I watched, and what I’m about to comment on, is proof of that.

The panel consisted of Ligon Duncan, Nancy Guthrie, Collin Hansen, Juan Sanchez, and Mark Vroegop, who moderated the discussion.

I’m not going to describe the entire conversation, but you can watch it here, and they include the transcript if you want to read it.

Ligon Duncan is an American Presbyterian scholar, pastor, and Chancellor of Reformed Theological Seminary, whose main campus is in Mississippi. During the discussion about the purpose of creating The Gospel Coalition and why Don Carson and Tim Keller saw the need for it, Ligon Duncan said the following:

“Colin will do a better job of answering this, but from where I was sitting, for the more theological wing of evangelicalism, however you wanted to define evangelicalism, we were in a place where there was there was no organization pulling us together, and Don and Tim wanted people with a high view of Scripture, a high view of God, a high view of grace, a high view of a biblical pastoral ministry that was aware and effective in contemporary culture in reaching all kinds of people with the gospel, especially people that are hardened to the gospel. How do you reach out in blue states? How do you reach out to skeptics, etc, with real truth exposition?”

I added emphasis on “blue states” because that is the part I want to discuss today. There is a lot of discussion about bias nowadays, both conscious and unconscious. I’m not an expert on bias, but I’m starting to see how damaging it can be if we don’t take the time to assess its root causes and how we might go about addressing them.

Being a leader is not an easy task, and it takes time to develop the necessary skills to lead effectively. Communication is key because leaders use it to influence people. When I heard this leader say, “How do you reach out in blue states?” it gave me pause. I wondered why a leader within the conservative Presbyterian denomination thought it was acceptable to say that. To me, it sounded like he meant that there are no Christians in states led by Democratic governors—which is strange, because I’m a Christian living in a “blue state.” Maybe he just needs to step out of his “bubble” and into real life.

I personally dislike the labels “Blue State” and “Red State” because they reflect the “us versus them” narrative affecting politics in this country, and really around the world. It’s wrong, and we need to start changing our behavior. Each state has Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Libertarians, and many other political identities. They also have Christians (as well as members of other religious groups, denominations, and faiths) who are affiliated with each of these parties. 

I want to give Dr. Ligon Duncan some grace and say that his comment was likely unconscious and unintentional. However, unconscious bias is still dangerous because it indicates that a person has not fully assessed their worldview to ensure it is fair and accurate. We are all imperfect humans with biases that we need to assess daily, but if you are a leader, you must think before you speak. Once a thought is verbalized, it is hard to take back. Yes, someone can apologize and do better next time, but the thought has already landed and may be embraced by others. If you doubt that, just listen to how regular people talk about “Blue” and “Red” states. People mimic how political and religious leaders use these labels—it’s divisive and dangerous.

Religious leaders using these labels are not advancing the faith, nor are they improving the church’s standing. They are merely providing evidence of how detached from reality they are, how they are not following true Christian teachings, and how they are undermining their credibility in society.

If I were a Church leader, I would avoid politics and any public engagement meant to demonstrate moral superiority over non-Christians. I have said this before: Church leaders need to focus inward. Instead of trying to change the world, they need to change themselves to ensure they are following Christian teachings. The church has much work to do before trying to change the world. Church leaders and pastors need to ensure their members are being properly discipled and fully understand Christianity. This seems like a full-time task, and I don’t see how they can engage in politics when their members need so much help with the basics. Take care of the basics, and the rest will follow.

I want to highlight two things before concluding this commentary.

First, about a week ago, I read the following about the well-known Christian author Philip Yancey: “Author Philip Yancey Confesses Affair, Withdraws from Ministry.

Second, many people are aware of OnlyFans and the kind of content created there. I’m not arguing for or against it; people are free to create and monetize content as long as they are not breaking any laws. I think Dr. Ligon Duncan could benefit from reviewing the 2025 reporting on how much states in this country—both Republican- and Democratic-led—are spending on OnlyFans. You can find one of the reports here, or simply search for “OnlyFans 2025 statistics,” but If you do, be aware that some of the content might be offensive.

I think Dr. Duncan should rephrase his question. Instead of asking, “How do you reach out in blue states?” he should ask, “How do you reach out to Christians?” I am 100% certain that the Church needs more help from its leaders than it is currently receiving, based on the two things I highlighted—unless, of course, they believe that Christians are not paying for OnlyFans content, which again demonstrates how detached from reality some Church leaders are.

109 thoughts on “How Labels Undermine Faith and Fracture Community

  1. Thank you for an opportunity to get back on track.

    I sincely appreciate the point about red and blue states I’m in a blue state. But there are over 5 million registered Republicans here. I’m surrounded by MAGA neighbors. Several congressional representatives and many city governments are headed by GOP leaders.

    Unless we want to live in a culture of nineteenth century pirates, the focus should be on specific goals and behaviors. Example: “It’s not ok to use deadly force when…” Considered in this framework, our diverse views have more overlap than the megaphone holders might suggest. I always liked James Mannon, Ph.D.’s thought (emphasis added):

    “…there is a negative effect in …labeling processes. Once labels are affixed to a person’s character, competence, or values, it becomes exceedingly difficult for that person to be seen in any other light. All subsequent behaviors or actions of the person are interpreted solely in terms of the label and not in the context of her/his adaptive responses to particular situations.

    Source: Mannon, James M., Ph.D., “Improving the Care of the Burned: Sociological Perspectives,” Caring for the Burned: Life and Death in a Hospital Burn Center, (Springfield, Illinois, Charles C. Thomas, 1985,) pp.243.

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    1. Thank you for this wonderful comment. I agree that discussions should focus on specific goals and behaviors to address all concerns. We somehow need to find a way to return to respectful conversations and focus on solutions instead of finger pointing, which doesn’t solve anything.

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  2. I volunteer at a church that doesn’t practice includes everyday people in need of companionship raised as Christian I now have a Buddhist foundation of treating people with respect and kindness to manifest what you project. I’ve been honest with my children who are generous,kind and respectful all raised to believe in a god.ķnowing that they have the choice to believe empowers me to see the beautiful people they are becoming. Religious labelling is destructive

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  3. I am not religious, but AMEN to this: “Church leaders need to focus inward. Instead of trying to change the world, they need to change themselves to ensure they are following Christian teachings. The church has much work to do before trying to change the world.”

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  4. First, I’d like to say great commentary, Edward.
    I have been a “Christian ” from birth.. a true follower of Jesus and his teachings once I made a conscious decision to question organizational structure, biases, and dogma that divides, and church history itself. It was a very unsettling process. For me, I have always questioned the urge to bridge the gap between church and state. And it has been happening long before I was born. Somewhere in the late 1970s and 80s, the language, the teachings, the messaging, and the political alignment of evangelical churches became more aggressively pronounced.. (against the spread of communism, a good cause on the surface). When I looked back at these events in context, I could see the ripple effects of that compromise today. It is now a couple generations shaped and molded by politically aligned ideology and theology.
    What is the full impact of such actions on faith… on community… or national and foreign policy?
    It is perhaps beyond my limited understanding.
    But the impact on our personal relationships surface during politically charged moments. And the politicians play it to the max.

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    1. It has always been about money and power. You can see this in the Gospels, with Jesus preaching against the religious establishment. The same happened in the U.S. with the Moral Majority movement, which infiltrated politics with the goal of controlling the government in order to achieve financial gain and consolidate power within the ultra-conservative church. Sadly, many Christians can’t see the real purpose behind these movements, and the organized church is now feeling the impact.

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      1. Indeed. I remember the surge of the movement under Jerry Falwell. Its tentacles were felt all the way in Trinidad. A lot of believers don’t ‘read the room’ and, as such, remain willing sheep. The church doesn’t have a leg to stand on anymore. So sad.

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    1. Extremely sad. For most people, church is the one place they go to escape the daily grind, spend time in peace, and cultivate their faith. If churches continue to bring politics into their sermons, then it’s better to stay home or find groups where politics are not discussed.

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  5. Well said, Edward. I live in the blue state of California where, according to a 2023-2024 Pew Research, 55% of adults identify as Christians, 9% are other religions, and 33% are religiously unaffiliated. While I may be numbered among the 33%, the teachings of Jesus the Nazarene guide my footsteps and relations with my neighbors.

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  6. Agree 100% when you say this: “I am 100% certain that the Church needs more help from its leaders than it is currently receiving” …
    Labels, themselves, aren’t inherently bad, but when used to place ‘others’ in lesser/wicked/hateful categories, that’s where they go wrong. The way politicians and religious leaders use labeling has divided our nation.

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    1. Thank you, Rose. I really don’t expect much from politicians. They have been using labels in a manipulative manner for a while now. Religious leaders using the same labels that politicians use is problematic because people are listening to them both in and out of church, which negatively influences their thoughts. That, like you said, has divided—and will continue to divide—this country if we don’t put a stop to it.

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  7. very good – agree with you here! leadership of our country is being led today by emotions – much like it was leading up to the civil war and we need to pray that God will not allow another civil war. God bless you.

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  8. Excellent as always – the spending on OnlyFans reminds me of our gambling issues here in Australia – the money that flows in that direction is so disheartening (I can’t understand why the agencies are allowed to keep advertising on our TV when it is so addictive and destructive). Our church did a lot of community assistance, but more recently, it seems to have become entangled in rules (insurance etc) that are preventing impulsive assistance. Chin up – the world is still filled with amazing people. Linda xx

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    1. Thank you, Linda. OMG, gambling—that’s another one. Between casinos and online gambling, people are losing their minds and their money. Yes, there are a lot of amazing people in this world. I know this cool doctor from Australia, and she is pretty awesome. I hope I can meet her one day. 😉

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  9. You bravely get to the truthful heart of things, Edward. This is a well-thought-out post. Last year, our church did a study on the book, Rescued. The Unexpected and Extraordinary News of the Gospel by John Ricardo. One of the take-aways was that we can identify the devil and its works by chaos and division. I’ve been using that guideline, and I believe it to be true.

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  10. An incredibly well written post and you make an excellent point. I think the issue with modern politics is that it’s become “us vs them” and no longer about the collective and greater good for all. Regardless of what party a leader is from, they should want what’s best for ALL their citizens, even those whose views they don’t agree or align with because that’s what freedom is- the right for everyone to hold their own views without being penalised for it.

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  11. I love your posts, Edward, because they are so thoughtful and thought-provoking. I couldn’t agree more that, “Labels are putting family members and neighbors against each other. Leaders know this and are using it effectively to create chaos and advance their particular agendas.”

    And you do such a good job of providing a great example and posting a cohesive, healing response. It’s such a wonderful counterpoint from what so many leaders today are doing. Thank you, my friend!

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    1. You’re welcome, Wynne. I think it’s important for us to continue identifying these things and challenging some of the narratives out there. There are a lot of people following blindly, just nodding their heads in affirmation when the message is clearly the wrong one. Thank you for reading, my friend.

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  12. First of all, I appreciate the blue, red, and white of the American flag, regardless of religious or political affiliation. Your post highlights the danger of reducing people to political colors. When religious leaders adopt “red vs. blue” rhetoric, they risk prioritizing partisan division over spiritual unity.

    To offer another example and ensure we are on the same page: would you say this same fracture is visible when politicians such as Vice President Vance instrumentalize Catholic theology to justify “us versus them” policies? His narrow use of concepts like ordo amoris has been critiqued by both Pope Francis and his successor, Pope Leo XIV, for misrepresenting Church teaching—turning it into a tool for nationalism rather than universal fraternity. True faith should transcend these labels, shouldn’t it, rather than serving as a prop for political agendas?

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    1. Thank you very much. I really don’t want to get too deep into what VP Vance believes, but I’m going to offer the following. If you are a Catholic and the Pope is the leader of that Church, then you need to follow the Pope’s teachings. The same goes for any organization, such as the Masons, the Knights of Columbus, and others. A person needs to follow an organization’s membership requirements in order to be part of it. Jesus was not a political figure, as far as I know, so Christians should know how to separate their faith from politics.

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      1. In view to building on your reasoning about membership and adherence:

        If a person is a licensed psychologist in Ontario, and the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) is the governing body for that profession, then the psychologist is expected to follow the College’s rules and standards. Membership in that professional organization comes with obligations, including compliance with its codes of conduct. Just as Catholics follow the Pope’s teachings to be part of the Church, psychologists must follow the College’s regulations to maintain their license. Personal beliefs or opinions, like those expressed by Jordan Peterson, do not exempt a member from the rules of the professional body they belong to.

        In other words, joining a group—whether a religious institution, a fraternal organization, or a professional body—requires aligning with its standards if one wishes to remain a recognized member.

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  13. I almost wrote about this same subject the other day. I’m always disturbed by friends who will announce to me “I’m going to church now” as if they’re suddenly a part of a select group going to heaven. Some people do need the structure and community of church and I’m happy they find what they need but they shouldn’t assume everyone has the same needs.. I’ve studied many religions and most if not all have at their core, the mandate to care of those in need. Therefore religious leaders are bound by their faith to speak up if injustice is being done to the needy. The whole red state/blue state thing is just an excuse by the current regime to inflict cruelty. All states are purple. All omnipresent God based religions are at their core the same. How can they not be? (sorry for the rant!)

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    1. Thank you for your comment. It’s all about free will. It’s an individual choice, and there is definitely no need to force people into believing. I agree with you that all states are purple, probably a rainbow, because there is more than just blue and red.

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  14. As I’ve written before… Mr. Ortiz for president. Just had to suggest, after reading the logical and level-headed approaches and conclusions presented in your essay. The attitude of “moral superiority over non-Christians” is why I stopped participating in organized religion. However, from a parent perspective, I am glad I ensured that my daughter had many church experiences through the years with thoughtful discussions outside of the church environment. Thank you for this informative post. 🙏🏻

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    1. 😂 …VP? All kidding aside, your comment about having your daughter experience church and discussions outside the church is so important. It creates a healthy environment and a common understanding. The “silos of excellence,” as we call them in the Army, are no bueno.

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  15. I think the whole red/blue state rhetoric is a flaw of the US political system where an entire state is labelled one or the other. It just encourages that type of dialogue. Mind you, we see a lot of us vs. them here in Canada where we operate under a different system.

    I agree that church leaders should stay out of politics. There is so much injustice in the world and these organizations have the power to do good in their communities.

    As you know, I am religious and I am very involved in my church. I choose to embrace the sense of community and the good that goes on there. It’s far from perfect, but what in life isn’t without flaws?

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    1. Yes, and the rhetoric doesn’t make sense because pretty much every state has officials elected from both parties. In my view, it’s just laziness, an easy way to attack opponents. It’s wonderful that you are in community with others in your church. That’s the way it was meant to be. Thank you.

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  16. Since I am not familiar with OnlyFans, I can only say that your message of healing oneself, personally and institutionally, as a starting point, sounds like the right place for any of us to begin. Thanks, Edward.

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  17. You mention a key aspect worthy of our deepest consideration, beyond even the religious and political context: “Unconscious bias is still dangerous.” Isn’t this the main problem of the contemporary world? Being unconscious of one’s unconsciousness? And yes, an unconscious leader will influence, in a very biased way, many unconscious people. Lead them into half-truths and segregation, which is exactly what we see all around. People blindly defending views that were unconsciously (in the best-case scenario) passed on to them, not even questioning if they are true. Discernment and critical thinking are essential to not fall into these traps. Both are closely related to awareness, no matter its depths. Besides, mixing faith with politics never led us into something good; from the Roman Empire to the Dark Ages, detriment was clear. Sadly, contemporary leaders seem to want to repeat history. A great post, Edward! Rich and pertinent, shedding light on what’s far from being reasonable. Thank you for being a voice of reason in the world! With respect and appreciation, sending you light and blessings, my friend, today and always! ✨🙏

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    1. Thank you, Susana, for this wonderful comment. “Being unconscious of one’s unconsciousness?” This is a good one, and I get goosebumps just thinking about it in terms of the things I don’t know — and that I’m not even aware that I don’t know. I’ll be doing some deep soul-searching for a while. You’re right that mixing politics and faith has led us through some dark times throughout history. The ego of some people who believe they can successfully mix both and do better than those who failed in the past is astonishing. Sadly, some people will continue to repeat past failures and inflict unnecessary pain on citizens until the next awakening. Then the cycle begins again. I hope that someday we will find a way to stop that cycle.

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  18. Hi Edward. There is a lot to unpack in this post. I appreciate the thought you put into it and the courage it takes to write it. I took a long time checking out Churches in my area and listening to the Pastors online before even walking in the door. The Pastor sets the tone, but even then you can’t tell how the people in the Church address the message.

    I agree with you that the labels of blue state/red state or even labeling left/right have a dangerous rhetoric. In my search, I stayed away from Pastors who preached against “woke” for the same reason.

    Basically, we have the choice of who we want to follow, what church we want to go to or even not go to church at all. In my humble opinion, I don’t care who you are – Church Leader or some other “leader”. If that person tells me to do something I know is wrong, I pray I have the strength to walk away.

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    1. Amen, Joni. I feel the same way. I heard a lead pastor once say that the COVID shot and the immunization card were the mark of the beast. I had been visiting that church for a while, but I didn’t go back after that.

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  19. I’m very thankful you wrote and published this post, because these things desperately need to be communicated and considered. Perhaps you could send this post to Ligon Duncan, The Gospel Coalition, church leaders, etc. Labels like red states, blue states, Democrat, republican…. divide us in ways that have become dangerous. In my agnostic 20s, I was repulsed by conservative evangelicals (I know, more labels), especially those who seemed to think they were superior. Finally, when searching in my early 30s, I discovered Christians (in the Episcopal church) who were welcoming, inclusive, and more open minded – a better fit for me. Otherwise, I might not have gone back to church. Maybe Mr. Duncan could ask, “How do you reach out (or welcome) people…. people who are questioning/ people who are searching/ struggling…. so many possibilities.

    Good work, Edward!

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    1. Thank you so much, JoAnna. The church would be a better place if church leaders just followed Jesus’ example. You would think that Christianity equals Jesus, but somehow people’s traditions got in the mix, and everything went downhill after that. Jesus provided an example for what you mentioned at the end. The Gospels show how He dealt with questioning, searching, struggling, among other things. My guess is that Jesus is not enough for some leaders, and they feel the need to add their own touch.

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  20. Great Post Edward… Division and labels pull us away from love, humility, and true discipleship. The Church must first look inward, speak with care, and reflect Christ above all else. I have experienced this firsthand and have been hurt by it more than once.

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  21. This is a brave, thoughtful, and much-needed reflection. You address bias, leadership responsibility, and the danger of “us vs. them” thinking with clarity and grace, without resorting to hostility. I appreciate how you balance accountability with compassion, and how firmly you call leaders back to humility, discernment, and the core work of faith rather than political shorthand. It’s a grounded, honest contribution to an urgently necessary conversation.

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  22. Heavy sigh.. yes.. labels have definitely gone beyond being boundaries and turned into walls… I think that we have come to this place because of an intense need to feel connected .. to a smaller group which feels like a family.. but then turns into excessive gate keeping by which one attempts to prove that they are truly worthy.. truly part of the group..

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    1. Great point, Kimberly. That sense of “belonging” can be a problem if forget about sharing life with others. Jesus was criticized for sharing with others and for not staying within the confines of tradition.

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  23. Thanks for sharing your faith and insights in an open, balanced way Edward. I’m not religious and don’t identify with any religion, although I think there is wisdom in many. Churches should stay away from politics, especially since our country was founded on religious freedom and separation of church and state.

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  24. I hate labels as well. You’re right that bifurcating the country as “red states” and “blue states” is divisive and dangerous. If we’re ever able to get rid of the Electoral College, I wonder if that would render the terms obsolete. As far as “Christian” labels, I will never forget the memory of being in elementary school and being informed by a classmate that I was going to burn in Hell because I was an Episcopalian preacher’s kid and not a Roman Catholic. I ran home crying to my mother, and as I think back on it now, she did a remarkable job of self-control as she comforted me without condemning the nuns who had put that idea in my classmate’s head. My dad would have rephrased Dr. Duncan’s question as “How do you reach out to Christians to enable them to help those in need.” (I’ll confess that your essay touched a nerve. And rightly so.)

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    1. About the Electoral College, the term will probably become obsolete, but you know people will come up with a new term because, for some, the “us versus them” mindset needs to stay alive. What happened to you in school was terrible, and sadly, the nuns probably had something to do with it, as we have learned from the history of American Indian residential schools. I like your rephrase, definitely better than what I came up with. Thank you, Liz.

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  25. Thank you, Edward, for this revealing and informative article. I don’t know if I have used red/blue state labels before, but believe I have said it in personal conversations, which now that you’ve brought it to my mind, I will refrain from.
    Synchronistically, I just watched a YouTube video yesterday about how different people are in Northern California from those in Southern California (politically speaking). So much so that some have called for splitting it in half!

    I have never believed preachers had a right to preach politics from the pulpit. I have left such churches.

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    1. You’re so welcome, Sheila. There are similar discussions in Illinois, where some cities want to be part of Indiana. I really blame politicians for that and for their lack of addressing people’s concerns. It doesn’t matter which party wins, the governor needs to hear and address the concerns of all citizens as much as possible. Yes, Jesus didn’t preach politics, so I’m not sure where pastors are getting that from (rhetorically speaking, because I know exactly where they are getting it from).

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  26. This is a very well written piece. I am not a religious person, I am a follower of Jesus Christ and have been for many years. In my opinion politics does not belong in the churches. We are called to minister to others and lead the lost to the Lord, not preach politics in the church. Politics divides, the love of God unites. Thank you for sharing this.

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  27. I love what Beth said…feeling the same. It only takes one experience of seeing the duplicity or half-truths from church “leaders” to throw me off. Organized religion…it’s just not for me…and I think your observation, Edward, “Church leaders need to focus inward” is so spot-on. There’s plenty of soul work, repair work to do to lift folks up without becoming embroiled in blue/red, blah, blah, blah. With you! 💝

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    1. Thank you, Vicki. Indeed, there is plenty of work to do: …lifting up church members from poverty, addressing sexual abuse, marriage crises, drug addiction… Pastors and church leaders should be exhausted at the end of each day.

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        1. Yes, they do. You know what the sad part is? Jesus taught the same thing. I was reading Matthew 12, when He was admonishing the Pharisees, and He said: “If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.” I guess for some church leaders, “mercy” is too simple, so they feel the need to add “sacrifices and human traditions” to make it seem more profound.

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        1. Yes, that part sounds wonderful, and I personally know a lot of Christians are actually doing it. But some church leaders are stuck in the “planning” phase. They need to start focusing on the “doing” and lead by example. “Deeds, not words” is a better plan, if they want to really reach out.

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