Quote of the Week Archive
I believe America's political order is coming apart again. More and more we dehumanize our political opponents and treat them as evil enemies rather than fellow citizens. How can George Fox University -- committed to following Christ, and devoted to equality, justice, and democratic self-government -- stand on the sidelines and watch this happen?
We cannot.
-- Robin Baker, President, George Fox University, November 2020
We are so focused on the darkness in others we can no longer see clearly. The irony is that while partisans are busy asserting their opponents are evil and stupid, the very act of doing so—widely replicated as it is, and provoking a corresponding vitriol from the other side—renders our public discourse and character as a whole ever more callous, clueless, and cruel.
We are becoming what we denounce. -- Cheri Harder, President of the Trinity Forum, February 2021
“(Civility is) more than just politeness, though politeness is a necessary first step. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking (and finding) common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep-rooted and fierce disagreements.” -- National Conference of State Legislatures
(O)ur dangerously huge division comes from much more than just valid political disagreements. We listen to different sources for our news and we no longer talk together or even have serious friendships across the political chasm...
Democracy simply will not work and our country’s future is very bleak, indeed exceedingly dangerous, unless we can start talking and really listening to each other...
I would hope that followers of Jesus would find a way to model honest truth-telling and careful, humble listening across the huge divisions that threaten our democracy. Unless we beg God to help us do that, we deny the central biblical truth about Christ’s one body. Please Lord help us.
-- Ron Sider, Ron Sider Blog, Nov. 20, 2020
Where are the truth-tellers now? Who will dare to move outside of their (ideological) fortresses to have genuine curiosity and conversations with other daring souls? How many are willing to choose wisdom over safety so that we can learn to truly listen to one another, to consider multiple perspectives, to endure messy places, to hold ideas with humility and openness, and ultimately offer the world a better way to live?
-- Dr. Mark McMinn, Scholar in Residence, George Fox University
From A Time for Wisdom: Knowledge, Detachment, Tranquility, Transcendence (forthcoming, with Paul T. McLoughlin
There are no right people to hate.
-- David French,
(October 24, 2021)
Jesus loves your political enemies, and America needs you to love them, too.
-- David French,
George Fox University, November 1, 2021
"Our community is split... Given this stark reality, where do we go from here? How can we govern? How can we co-exist?
"For some of us, hope comes in the form of conversation."
-- Newberg Mayor Rick Rogers, January 23, 2022
“(Civility is) more than just politeness, though politeness is a necessary first step. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking (and finding) common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep-rooted and fierce disagreements.”
-- National Conference of State Legislatures