Characters Divided

USA Network established a campaign called "Characters Unite" that seeks to reduce divisiveness and promote the idea that we're stronger when we're united. The program disparages stereotypes and celebrates individuals: "Millions of smart, funny, quirky, heroic, shy, glamorous, fierce, stubborn characters, each completely unlike the next."

Characters Unite held a panel discussion led by Tom Brokaw. According to Kathleen Parker of the Washington Post - a panelist herself - the participants "covered the waterfront: black, white, Asian, Hispanic, straight and gay leaders representing education, finance, entertainment, Congress, media, the military and academia. Missing was anyone representing the faith community."

So we've got a collection of "experts" whose only real commonality was a desire to make society change to their specifications. As Parker put it, the premise "is that diversity is good and ought to bind rather than separate us. It's a nice thought but not so easily realized." It's especially difficult when differences are exalted and bonds that unify (like patriotism, family and faith) are verboten.

Ms. Parker felt the "greatest obstacle to tolerance (was) a lack of exposure" to other kinds of people. She noted that "the faith community has a great opportunity to integrate people in more natural ways. First of all, when you're in a house of worship you tend to be on a slightly higher plane..." and her next comments were edited out of the tape. Faith was given less than two sentences before the door slammed shut.

I have an idea where Kathleen was going with this, so I'll take the liberty of finishing her comments as I would have responded. It goes like this:

"We have a big variety of people in my church. There are cops, cooks, teachers, truck drivers, surgeons, homemakers and unemployed workers. Young, old, in-between, short-haired, long-haired, tattooed, pierced, clean-cut. Some have been in jail or had drug problems. Single, married, separated, divorced. Black, white and a potpourri of ethnicities. Some have disabilities."

"These differences are no more divisive than whether you've got brown or hazel colored eyes. We have a bond: a shared faith that supersedes the differences the "experts" so industriously promote. It's amusing to watch secularists try to cram together puzzle pieces with mismatched shapes, colors and thicknesses. It takes an act of God to do this, but He wasn't invited."

"Characters" can't "Unite" unless they have a shared higher purpose. Secular nostrums that emphasize differences and resentment can't achieve this. But Christian faith can, has and does."


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