Liberals and Conservatives Should Try Listening More, Labeling Less

By David G. Moore Special to the American-Statesman

Arch-conservative William F. Buckley tried to make an appointment with John Kenneth Gaibraith, a major icon of liberal political and economic thought. Checking his schedule, Galbraith told Buckley that he would not be able to make it due to some lectures he had to give at the University of Moscow. Buckley wryly quipped, "Oh? What do you have left to teach them?" Though Buckley and Galbraith can share a laugh over such banter, most liberal and conservative exchanges would hardly be so irenic. Why is that?

I have found that there is one critical error far too many liberals and conservatives commit. Both seek refuge by labeling all individuals of a particular political affiliation as holding a monolithic view on every issue. Unfortunately, loss of true dialogue results. In fact, some Republicans care deeply about social reform. Consider all that Jack Kemp did in revamping the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In the same vein, not all Democrats are pro-choice. Gov. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is a prime example.

When issues we all deeply care about are not debated with a high degree of civility and a genuine desire to understand the salient points of the other side, true dialogue is quashed and relegated to the ash heap of slogans, sound bites and strawmen.

A personal example may more aptly elucidate this point. I am unabashedly pro-life. My convictions on this issue are deeply felt and I believe held with a great deal of philosophical, social, and medical support. However, it is a major non sequitur for a pro-choice advocate to think this means I endorse the murdering of doctors who perform abortions. I do not, and it is offensive to me that someone would glibly attribute such implications to my view.

Dr. John Hull of the University of Birmingham in England writes, "To be ready to learn is to be ready to admit that there is much one does not know, that one may not be entirely right. There is even risk that one may be proved wrong." This is precisely why true education is so painful. To truly receive an education means placing one's self in the potentially threatening position of seeking to understand the nuances of a view that seem prima facie to be wrong.

Don't miss the point here. This does not advocate (as some would) a loss of convictions or loss of impassioned desire to "sell" one's world view. Anyone who knows me understands I have little respect for people who vacillate on important issues.

I am utterly convinced that Jesus Christ is ultimate truth and conveys ultimate truth. However, all of us must be as Jesus's brother James said, "Quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger" if real understanding on controversial issues is to occur. Again understanding one's opponent doesn't assume acceptance of their view!

If I, as a conservative, chalk up all liberals (though some clearly do) as having some anti-religious, anti-values conspriacy that they are seeking to surreptitiously foist on society, I will fail to engage in serious dialogue with those who have no such hidden agenda, but simply believe they are right. Similarly, if liberals bandy about emotion-laden terms like "right-wing fundamentalist" without appreciating the vast array of meanings ascribed to such words, serious dialogue will again be stymied.

Living in a pluralistic society is not always easy, and it certainly doesn't lend itself to simplistic ideas. Many times the political fray is a forum where there is much more heat than light. It is our duty as citizens of this great country to have the courage and patience to understand what is being said by the other side.

Moore is pastor of adult education at Grace Covenant Church.

Permission to post this op. ed. article is hereby granted
by the Austin American Statesman