Several people have commented, over the last few months, about the stark division in our country. Whether the issue is race, politics, economics, same-sex marriage, the legalization of marijuana, immigration, free college, minimum wage, military involvement, taxes, or a cornucopia of other issues, we are a nation split. That was certainly borne out in the election just concluded.
Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed their outrage toward their own parties, with the Dems nearly rejecting Hillary Clinton is favor of Bernie Sanders and with the GOP voters turning its back on life-long politicians in favor of a billionaire businessman. And, in a stunning upset, voters rejected the career politician and chose the businessman.
Stocks plummeted when it appeared that Donald Trump might actually win and then soared when he actually did. The pollsters, the pundits, and the media types wondered aloud how they could have possibly been so wrong. President Barack Obama remains personally popular yet his legacy issues seem certain to have been rejected and will likely be dismantled. The easy answer may simply be that Americans were sick and tired of all the “games playing.” Smarter people will search for the true answer in the days to come.
When the daughter of Senator John McCain was asked what it would take to heal the divisions, she replied, “Alcohol and prayer.” While the comment was made tongue-in-cheek, one has to wonder whether healing and unity can ever occur.
Despite concerns by some to the contrary, there was no mass uprising and violence following the election. No one rioted. What did happen was that some Americans cheered and other Americans wept, depending upon which candidate they supported. Most Americans, I believe, breathed a sigh of relief, happy that the whole nasty business was over — for now, at least.
Perhaps surprisingly, the attitudes of both candidates and the current President were conciliatory. President-elect Trump congratulated Secretary Clinton on a hard-fought campaign and said that Americans owed her a debt of gratitude for her many years of service. For her part, Mrs. Clinton urged her followers to unite behind Mr. Trump and “give him a chance” to govern. The President invited Mr. Trump to a White House meeting so that they could begin the work of transition. Such soft talk after such a brutally vicious battle was a welcome change.
The nation would do well to follow their example. Families have been split, friends have been lost, and bitter rancor has prevailed throughout much of the nation. It is time for the average citizen to return to civility.
We are not the enemy. As Americans, we have a long history of passion and sometimes reckless pride. We play hard. We fight hard. We give our all. And, on the global scene, after the contest is ended, the battle concluded, we have often extended the hand of friendship to defeated foes and have made them some of our strongest allies. It is time to extend that grace to each other.
I never threatened to leave the country if the “other” candidate was elected. Such a sentiment is childish, petty, and immature. I will stay because, among other reasons, this is my country. I took a vow years ago to defend this nation and, as far as I know, that vow has no expiration date. This is my home. I will not abandon her because I don’t get my way. I will, however, seek to do what I can to make her better. I don’t have to take up arms to defend her. And while alcohol probably will not help, it just may be that prayers will work miracles.
Democrats love their nation. Republicans love this country, as do most of us. We are Americans. As Americans, we love our country even with all its flaws. We need to do our best to bring healing to our land. We need to quit screaming at each other. We need to start listening to each other. And we need to come together.
[David Epps is the pastor of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Sharpsburg, GA (www.ctkcec.org). He is the bishop of the Mid-South Diocese which consists of Georgia and Tennessee (www.midsouthdiocese.org) and the Associate Endorser for the Department of the Armed Forces, U. S. Military Chaplains, ICCEC. He may contacted at frepps@ctkcec.org.]
