Connected Christianity

By Erin Walker

“I thought creationists were monsters, until I married one.” Tatiana Hamboyan Harrison’s words describe a simple and profound lesson we often forget. When we form relationships, we open our minds to each other’s ideas, even if we disagree. It’s how respect evolves. Harrison could have scoffed and walked away when her then-boyfriend shared his beliefs with her. Instead, she chose to love the person and learn to respect his perspective.

Opportunities to make a similar choice are all around us. In politics, in international affairs, in our friendships, and in our families we have choices to make with respect to, well, respect and the possibility that our assumptions could be false. Where are you challenged to open your mind, open your ears, and give someone a chance to prove you wrong?

Harrison’s comments first reminded me of strife in the Middle East–in Iraq and Iran, specifically. This article from NPR offers a glimpse into the dangers of a world where everyone wants respect, but no one wants to be the first to give it (particularly to those different from themselves). The U.S. military arrested five Iranians within Iraq. Iran claims the men are diplomats; the Americans say they are intelligence operatives. Whatever the truth is in this specific incident, we read the story through the filter of years–indeed, centuries–of mutual animosity between the Arabic Sunni Muslims of Iraq and the Persian Shi’ite Muslims of Iran, not to mention the animosity Muslims have often directed toward non-Muslims, and vice versa. What does it mean to respect a culture, a religion, or a government vastly different from one’s own? The themes of respect and disrespect are everywhere you look. What would happen if people truly took the time and made the effort to understand and respect those who are different? Would it be possible for those involved to understand the actions undertaken by people of such different backgrounds and beliefs? Would some sort of progress be possible? And how could a vision of all people as creations of God shape relations among these countries? Would it open them to the possiblity of respect? What difference could respect make?

At the beginning of the story of how God relates with humans and the entire created world, we read these words, “So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” How could this lesson in respect and perspective affect the way you interact with people around you?

We’ve seen in many parts of the world the ruinous outcome of neglecting to view others as creations of God. Examples of this sort of lack of respect abound. Hrant Dink, a Turkish-Armenian writer and journalist who frequently presented an Armenian voice in his writings, was likely killed by someone who viewed his ideas as traitorous to Turkey. He was seen as an enemy and treated accordingly.

Failing to respect dissenting points of view can lead us into dangerous territory. We begin to walk the slippery slope of calling those who disagree with us “enemy.” And if we do identify an actual enemy, someone who is in fact working toward harming us, what role does respect play?

Harrison’s article is a look not at global politics or even wars of ideas and ideals. “Loving Creationists” is a look at how one family chose civility over fear and respect over a need to be right. The resulting love is a ray of hope in the otherwise dark territory of clashing belief systems.

Anne Lamott fearlessly writes about her journeys in life and faith and family. “My son, the stranger” is a touching and poignant insight into the prototypical clash between mother and teenaged son. In our families it is easy to focus on misunderstandings and hurt feelings and to forget civility. Collisions of ideas and wills are fiercely felt in the intimacy of family. Lamott boldly looks to God and listens to the beckoning of God’s spirit to a loving path toward candidly flawed peace with her son. A new respect for her relationship with her son emerges from Lamott’s frank struggle.

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” We read this reminder of newness in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Where do you need this kind of newness? In relationships within your family? In your friendships? In your business? What will it mean for you to see others with eyes that have become new?