Politics and the Holidays

Last updated on: July 15, 2020 at 8:58 pm by George Yancey

Politics and the Holidays 2020-07-15T20:58:46+06:00 George Yancey

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

This has been quite a year in politics. To say that President Trump has been controversial is to say that water is wet. And he has earned every bit of that controversy. But even all of the drama seems to be minor in comparison to the recent Moore/Jones excitement in Alabama. Yeah it has been quite a year.

In a few days most of us will celebrate Christmas. In fact as you read this, you may already be on your way to your family’s homes or already there. One of the great things about Christmas is the chance to see family members you do not visit with that often. While that is often heartwarming it is also an opportunity discuss the political events of last year. To this, I offer this gentle advice. Unless you have a good relationship where such political banter can be done in good nature, then avoid politics in your conversations this Christmas.

Normally I think such avoidance is likely wise. But especially this year has been so contentious that political talk can be extremely volatile. There is a tendency, which has grown stronger this year, to demonize those with whom we disagree. The importance of keeping our relationships with our family strong is more vital to our happiness than winning a political argument. And do you think that winning a political argument is going to change the opinions of your family members anyway?

Look I get it. I am a never-Trumper and from my point of view my antipathy of Trump has been verified many times over. I still struggle with understanding why some voted for Trump. I would love to talk people around me into not supporting Trump, unless he starts acting more like the sort of president we need. But why would I subject other family members to my arguments? Why would I not use this time to draw closer to the family members I only get to see a few times a year? I won’t subject them to my political “wisdom” and fortunately the other members of my family generally feel the same way.

So if I am not looking forward to making political conversions, then what I am going to talk about with those at Christmas dinner? I want to know how things are going with their jobs, their health, and their kids. I want to engage in some of the common insider jokes we have developed. I want to belong to a community. I do not have to agree with everyone in that community. But I want to develop a relationship that tells them that I will be there for them and know that they will be there for me. To me this, and not political wrangling, is what Christmas dinner should be about.

Now some families have mastered the art of talking about politics in good fun. If this the is the case, then you have certain family norms that make such conversations ways to build, instead of tear down, relationships. My perspective on politics during the holidays probably does not apply to you.

And I do not want it to be said that we can never talk politics. There is a time and place for us to put our political opinions out there. For many people, it is facebook. While that venue has led to some unnecessary hostility from time to time, at least there you are usually not damaging important primary relationships. You can do that with arguing over the Christmas turkey.

So enjoy the next few days. Hug a neck or two. Have some Christmas grub. And don’t talk Trump.

Previous Post

December 11, 2017

Are Secularized Societies Stable?

Next Post

December 26, 2017 The War Between Conservative Christians

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month November 2022 June 2022 May 2022 January 2022 December 2021 September 2021 April 2021 December 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the rider of the White Horse in Revelations carry?

Select your answer to see how you score.

A bow A sword A scroll Scales

Books by This Author Books by George Yancey

See All Titles »