By: Jack Wyman

Once again, we were united by shock and sadness. And in some cases, anger.

Given the tumult of our times, we should not have been surprised. And yet, we always are.

Political violence strikes with singular unexpectedness.

The event always seems routine, well-prepared and organized. Nothing could really go that wrong. People are happy, celebrating, being inspired. They’re excited to be there. There’s always the visual semblance of security.

In a split second, it all changes. Joy instantly turns to horror.

What happened on a beautiful early Saturday evening in rural Butler, Pennsylvania stunned the nation. The attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump gave America raw and iconic images that will be forever seared into our collective memory.

Trump, his ear grazed by a bullet, showed strength and courage. As he was escorted off the platform by fast-reacting secret service agents, blood on his right ear and face, he raised a clenched fist, signally to his supporters that he was okay. With a waving American flag behind him, framing his defiance, it’s impossible to deny the riveting symbolism.

Retired fire chief Corey Comperatore, there to cheer for his candidate, was killed shielding his family from the gunfire. He died as he had lived — a hero. Two other attendees were seriously wounded.

The gunman, killed by agents, was a twenty-year old quiet loner with few friends. He had no known connections to ideology or politics. He fit the pattern of a mass shooter. It will be difficult enough to find a motive, to say nothing of a conspiracy.

Elected leaders called for greater unity and civility; for “turning down” the heated rhetoric. How long will that last? The Biden campaign ordered a suspension of criticism, “until further notice.”

For his part, Donald Trump knew that the would-be assassin’s bullet came within an inch of his life. He turned his head, which he rarely does on the platform, to point to a chart, which he never brings. That turn saved him. He gave thanks to God. He said what Ronald Reagan said, after his own close call 43 years ago:

God spared him for a reason.

Unity is nice. There are times when most Americans summon the wisdom and courage to stand united in a crisis. But our founders did not create our government or our constitution to achieve unity. They gave us a democratic republic to help us navigate our often profound differences. 

The checks and balances of our federal system were put there to insure that political diversity would be respected and its results accepted — not that we would all think alike and agree on everything.  In that sense alone, the Constitution holds us together as a free and sometimes boisterous people. It protects our freedom and right to speak our mind, and to disagree — with our government or our neighbor.

Unity must never come at the cost of conscience. It must never insist on the surrender of conviction. Unity must never supplant principle. On this, both sides should agree. When our country needs to, it unites. Most of the time, American unity is best expressed as a genuine respect for the opposing view.

Freedom means protecting dissent and fostering individuality. It means practicing the Golden Rule of political engagement: giving the same consideration to another person’s opinion as you hope and expect he or she will give to your own. Civil discourse, not civil war.

President Trump’s supporters have blamed President Biden and his supporters for the attempt on Trump’s life, due to their partisan fervor. But harsh and angry rhetoric, exaggerated and personal attacks, name-calling, and misleading generalities are the unfortunate purview of both campaigns.

Hateful language has deepened our divisions, cheapened our discourse, and abbreviated our thinking.

Of all people, Christians should realize that words matter. They mattered to our Savior.

“For by your words,” Jesus said, “you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). Paul wrote to the Colossians that their words must “always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6).

We must never check our Christian faith at the door of politics. As tempting and easy as that is.

The tongue is like a tiny spark, James said, that sets a forest on fire. “It is a world of wickedness. . . it can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. . . It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3: 5-8).

You and I must be careful what we say. And how we say it. The mouth that praises God on Sunday must not be the mouth that curses candidates on Monday.

This combustible campaign is about to head down the home stretch. It will become more intense by the day. The danger is always that we can get caught up in the maelstrom of invective all too easily.

In our zeal, let’s remember restraint. In our enthusiasm, let’s remember kindness. In our certainty, let’s make room for disagreement. The weapons of our spiritual warfare are not carnal. Our struggle is not against people. Our neighbors and co-workers are not our enemies. And politics is not our god.

No victory at the polls is worth turning us into haters.

Yes, this election is important. Yes, you and I must stand up and be counted for our beliefs in the public square. We must have the courage of our convictions. Let’s be enthusiastic for our cause and our candidate. And, when necessary, outspoken.

It’s true. Much hangs in the balance. Not least of which is our testimony as the followers of Jesus Christ, who gave us his example:

“He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” (I Peter 2:23).

To order Jack Wyman’s book, “Everything Else: Stories of Life, Faith and Our World”, go to amazon.com, Christian Book Distributors or barnesandnoble.com. It is also available on Kindle and eBooks.

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