[1] As the ELCA finalizes its discussion on civic life and faith and Americans go to the polls for the presidential election, many people are afraid to discuss their stance about politics at church while others proudly proclaim that their views are the only right ones. Rather than this flight or fight response, we at the Journal of Lutheran Ethics invite congregational members to consider their faith and their life experiences as starting points for discussion with their neighbor. After listening to the podcast and reading these articles consider a discussion using the following questions.
[2] What are the most fundamental and ordinary tenets of your own faith? (What beliefs do you hold most strongly? What beliefs anchor you in times of crisis? What defines your belief as a Christian? What beliefs do you think you share with most Christians?)
[3] What are some of your own personal experiences with the issues that are often called polarizing? (How does racism affect you? What has been your experience with women’s health care? What personal experiences have you faced with LGBTQIA+ discrimination? ) Share as you feel comfortable, and listen to what is shared.
[4] Name the connections between your faith beliefs and your response to these stories. How does believing in one’s identity as a child of God, for example, influence the way you listen and hear the account?
[5] Consider praying together for wisdom to understand the issues and how they affect ordinary people and for faith to trust in God’s righteousness rather than our own as we work to do justice for our neighbors. How does communing together, taking in the body of Christ together, help us as we come together before the election?
