151 - Against Toxic Polarization, with Andrew Hanauer
Dec 12, 2023
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Andrew Hanauer, president and CEO of the One America Movement, discusses bridging divides in American politics and faith communities. They explore the challenges pastors face in addressing political divisions, the strategic approach to combating toxic polarization, and the importance of organizations like Global Immersion. They also discuss living out faith in a confusing world and highlight various organizations working towards combating toxic polarization through collaboration and open discussions.
The One America Movement aims to bridge divides by creating spaces for dialogue and collaboration among people with different beliefs and backgrounds.
Faith communities play a crucial role in responding to toxic polarization by prioritizing biblical teachings and embodying values of love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Deep dives
The Importance of Faith in Addressing Toxic Polarization
Andrew Hanower, president and CEO of the One America Movement, discusses the need to address toxic polarization in American society. Hanower shares his personal journey from a secular Jewish background to becoming a Christian and how it shaped his perspective. He emphasizes the significance of faith communities in responding to polarization and advocates for prioritizing biblical teachings over political views. Hanower also highlights the need for spiritual and moral formation, both in religious institutions and in society as a whole, to combat toxicity and division.
Creating Spaces for Constructive Dialogue and Collaboration
The One America Movement's strategy involves creating spaces where people of different faiths, political beliefs, and backgrounds can come together in constructive dialogue and collaboration. They support groups of clergy from various communities, such as evangelical pastors and Jewish leaders, to cultivate relationships and bridge divides. The organization also works on the ground in select communities, bringing together faith communities to address shared local issues regardless of political differences. Their goal is to model and promote a different way of engaging with one another, fostering unity while respecting individual perspectives.
Challenges and Frustrations in the Work
One of the significant challenges facing the One America Movement is the combination of the difficult nature of their work and the limited funding available to support it. As they continue to grow, they recognize the importance of investing in their staff's well-being and resilience, given the emotional toll of engaging with polarization and toxicity. The organization aims to provide support and resources to faith leaders, particularly during politically contentious times like elections. Additionally, they aim to counter the toxic environment by creating events and gatherings that offer a more positive and unifying space for people to engage with different viewpoints.
The Power of Relationships and Collective Action
Andrew Hanower acknowledges the crucial role of relationships and collective action in addressing toxic polarization. He highlights the value of cultivating diverse relationships and embracing constructive disagreement within one's faith community. Hanower also emphasizes the need for individuals and faith communities to act as examples by embodying the values of love, compassion, forgiveness, and patience. By living out these values and engaging in practices of spiritual and moral formation, they can inspire others to seek a more hopeful and grace-filled way of engaging with one another.