Mired in politics, we must remember civility

In just the past four months, Vice President Cheney told a lawmaker on the floor of the U.S. Senate to “– off.” Teresa Heinz Kerry, wife of the Democratic presidential nominee, told a journalist to “shove it.” And the Rev. Jerry Falwell wants to host a seminar for pastors on “how not to be intimidated by left-wing thugs.”

It’s time for the country to consider a National Civility or Fellowship Day.

Ilana Wexler, 12, told delegates at last month’s Democratic National Convention that “our vice president had a disagreement with a Democratic senator. He used a really bad word. If I said that word, I would be put in a timeout. I think he should be put in timeout.” The delegates roared in approval.

Forgive this jaded prelate: I suspect many of the delegates have recently used the same word.

Perhaps Cheney should have kept false sensibilities in mind and used “fornicate off” or “procreate off” instead. I concede that Cheney is a heartbeat away from the presidency, with the potential to launch a nuclear attack. That might merit anger management classes. Ilana’s cute speech, however, only re-enforced the “us against them” mentality.

The firebrand Teresa Kerry is now being tagged by some Republican activists as having “attitude,” suggesting she doesn’t have the temperament to be first lady. Demure is in. Opinionated is out. The comparison to Laura Bush is obvious.

Falwell thinks there’s a vast left-wing conspiracy of “thugs” responsible for moral decay.

Gone are the most basic efforts of community, fellowship and, if a sin or an injustice actually occurs, forgiveness. It again shows that we are not “one nation under God.”

A citizen exercising free speech by opposing the Iraq war can be labeled unpatriotic. Americans wanting national health insurance might be called socialist-leaning. Proponents of civil unions or gay marriage could be doing the devil’s work. Why must honest disagreements become petty, nasty and personal?

Individuals are defined by the depth of their humanity. How a person responds to distressing or disagreeable situations is an opportunity for inner growth.

In the Gospel of Mary Magdalene, the forgotten apostle teaches, “The seed of true humanity exists within you. Follow it!” She adds that Jesus “has joined us together and made us true human beings … once we clothe ourselves with perfect humanity, we should do what we were commanded” – to love one another.

There are some people I’d be hard-pressed to like. Yet I am conscious that I’m called to love, respect and value their lives as one of the highest expectations of the Creator.

It’s in this spirit that America needs to come together for a secular National Civility, Fellowship or Community Day. Despite vitriolic disagreements over Iraq, religion and politics, we are “joined together” in the most fundamental manner: through our humanity.

As someone whose teeth were first cut in law and politics, I don’t approach this topic with rose-colored glasses. But I am exhausted by an atmosphere that marginalizes the humanity of others. To do so sets up a dangerous slide toward devaluing life.

Our better angels urge us not to discard that which we dislike or find different from ourselves.

The next president of the United States is likely to win by a small margin. There will be tens of millions of Americans who do not cast a ballot for the ultimate victor. Common ground must be found to unite the country. The election should not be winner take all; the loser’s views should still hold value.

Churches, politicians and civic organizations should consider calling for a day when all differences are ignored. Community fairs or fellowship meals would aid in the effort. It won’t matter who you are – black, Asian, Jew, Muslim, conservative, liberal, Republican, Independent, uptight or laid back, bald or full-haired, punk rocker or opera buff. What matters is that on a designated day everyone remember that we’re all in this cold, complicated world together and that before the Creator we are equally loved. Who knows? National Civility or Fellowship Day could become a Hallmark moment.

The Right Rev. Paul Peter Jesep, an auxiliary bishop in the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church-Sobornopravna, is studying at Bangor Theological Seminary. The views expressed are his own and do not reflect the church’s position. He may be reached at VladykaPaulPeter@aol.com. Voices is a weekly commentary by five Maine columnists who explore issues affecting spirituality and religious life.