IS OUR DEMOCRACY FALLING APART?

Maybe the media is simply focusing on the loonies and we are in better shape than it appears right now. I hope so. But I can’t help but be concerned as I see the craziness which has been on full display in recent weeks here in the USA. I can’t be an objective observer, of course, since I’m clearly Liberal on many issues and want to see a Liberal agenda make progress.

My sense of what’s wrong is that the Right Wing dominates Talk Radio. When people hear the rants of Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and Michael Savage and so many others, they take their words to heart and begin saying the same kind of nonsense they are hearing as if what they are hearing is rational, sensible, even intelligent. Does that sound harsh? Maybe … but I fear for our democracy when people increasingly won’t have respectful conversation with each other. And I see people on the Right refusing to engage in respectful conversation far more than people on the Left.

But let me quickly say that I am aware that there are people on the Left who are just as guilty as people on the Right. Those of us who are on the Left need to model civility and mutual respect. If we don’t, we are just as bad as Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck and Michael Savage and all those others who are causing such bitter divisions in our nation. I often listen to the Lefties on Talk Radio and all too often I am ashamed of their intolerance and unkindness toward those who don’t share their point of view.

MUTUAL RESPECT AND CIVIL CONVERSATION

I have been an active participant for a couple of years in the CrossCurrents Forum. There has been a lot of interesting ideas shared and I enjoyed it. But there has been an undertone of abuse and even hatred exhibited mostly by atheists who seem to get their kicks from bashing Christians. Lately, it got worse and I demanded that the moderator find ways to enforce the forum's policy. Here is the purpose and policy statement found on the START PAGE:
"Welcome / Combining the former Christianity - General, God and Sex, Faith Forum and CrossCurrents under the banner, this forum:
1) Provides a platform for discussion of articles appearing in CrossCurrents magazine
2) Is open to persons of all faiths or none.
3) As the name suggests, the forum is for discussion of issues at the interface of religion and politics, the arts, philosophy. It is open to skeptics, humanists, atheists, Christians, Wiccans, Pagans, Jews, and others.
4) The only requirement is the willingness to engage in civil conversation on the topics suggested above, respecting the dignity of those who hold views and beliefs other than your own. (This does mean that blatant sexism, anti-Semitism, gay bashing, personal insults and abusive behavior are not welcome.)"

I think the policy is pretty clear that the Moderator not only has the right but the responsibility to confront people who abuse Christians and others. What do you think? Your comments are welcome.