Image: Simon Blackley

I have friends I’m not supposed to have.

From every imaginable political, theological, social, ethnic background, and more.

People with whom I have radical, even angry disagreements.

Yet they remain my friends.

Not just in the Facebook way. In the old-school, meet face-to-face over coffee way.

And my life is made richer by knowing them.

But recently, it’s become harder.

Turn Off the Echo Chamber

This current political and social climate is bringing out the worst in good people. The worst so far, anyway. I fear we haven't touched bottom yet.

One of the most disturbing trends I'm seeing lately is the absolute refusal by some people, from every type of background and belief system, to hear any hint of disagreement without jumping down someone's throat, calling them names or unfriending them.

And it’s not any better in the church world. Sometimes it’s worse.

We’ve replaced personal conversations with social media pronouncements and arguments. Seeking of truth with the echo chamber of those who agree with me.

In this current climate, if someone raises a question about one political party or candidate, it can't possibly from genuine concern. They must be secretly cheering for the baby-killer on the left or the racist on the right ... right?

People who used to be friends are now referring to each other with labels like that.

What You’re Missing When Everyone Agrees With You

If you’re only listening to people who think like you, you're missing out on a lot. Politically, theologically and relationally.

• You're missing out on conversations that might educate you.
• You're missing out on ideas that might challenge you.
• You're missing out on knowing the 'why' not just the 'what'.
• You're missing out on knowing how to respond in ways that might actually win another person over to your side.

And you're shutting down honest conversation from good people who have been bullied into silence by all the yelling.

We Need More Gamaliels

I don’t want to shut anyone up. Including people I disagree with, even to an extremist degree.

In fact, if their ideas are really that bad I want to give them a platform so they can be exposed to the light.

In the New Testament, there was a Pharisee named Gamaliel. When the other Pharisees wanted to stop the disciples from preaching, he advised letting them preach. His logic was that if what they were saying was false, it would be exposed, but if it was true they wouldn’t want to find themselves fighting against it. (Acts 5)