Culture Wars: Obama & McCain or Me & You

I read this article on the Washington Post/Newsweek site today and this paragraph seemed worthy of more thought. Can and should the president really get involved in the so called culture wars? I think it is inevitable that a leader must engage in this arena, but the writer was correct. We started it. We "the people" are in some sort of perpetual internal war. We have forgotten how to love one another, take accountability for our own actions and simply agree to disagree.

From "A whole lot of ugly"

" 'Senators McCain and Obama,' they concluded, 'each of you has great potential to model a new type of leadership. Each of you has the power to heal the country and carve a new path forward through our shared common values. We humbly submit our joint prayer that you, Senators McCain and Obama, help bring a just end to the culture wars.'

That would help, but it's not their job to end the culture war. We all started it. We're all responsible for what we say, write and do that increases hostility towards liberals or conservatives or any group of people whose beliefs differ from ours."

One comment on the full article above. If you click through to the original, I think the comments on that thread speak for themselves. People brought a "whole lot of ugly" at the author, so he must have been "right" in there somewhere.

How I choose to spend my time and my families' resources answers the question tactically and actively for me and you. Do I choose to demonstrate hospitality and a model of inclusionary civil discussion, or do I embrace discord and seek a larger sense of "being right"? That is the question isn't it. Who exactly is right?

From: Attitude + Action Required
" 'It is not enough to be right' was my statement in a recent Life Community class at Huguenot Road Baptist Church. Christians and Christian leaders in particular have to find a way to include and embrace diversity of attitude and action while maintaining a spirit of compassion and consideration.

How do we get better? Bring the right attitude and Transform it into action! We have to actually love those around us. WE have to care and sacrifice for people we may not know very well. This isn't easy, but it is the way."

From: THE BIBLE
Be courteous and considerate in everything. 1 Corinthians 14:40 (Message)