A plaque on the ground in the historic quadrangle building of the University of Sydney has these words, 'We must learn to disagree well.'
They are the words of Dr Michael Spence, the former Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the university, and they couldn't be more appropriate for our time. I have had them ringing in my ears all week!
I don't feel like I need to build the case for how toxic our society, media, social media and politics has become. It is increasingly evident that we are losing the ability to disagree at all, let alone 'disagree well'.
Although I have very significant issues with almost all of the protest that has parked itself on the parliament lawn, I can't help but think that many involved in it feel this is their only outlet because we've lost the ability to disagree well.
We no longer have the patience to listen to people's perspectives for fear that by even listening we will give them unwarranted legitimacy. We no longer have the empathy to appreciate what people's lived experiences might be and how they are suffering at this moment. (And these things could be said of all sides of this debate about, both by people suffering under mandates and people at risk because of COVID).
We must learn to disagree well!
It shouldn't come as a surprise but Dr Michael Spence is a follower of Jesus. As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney he was working in an extremely hostile secular environment where his perspectives were often dismissed simply because he was a Christian. When asked how he handles such situations he referred to 1 Peter 3:15-16,
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."
Disagreement about many things is ok, even amongst Christians. But we must always disagree well, with gentleness, respect and a clear conscience.
Grace & peace,
Andrew