282: What needs to be said about the election

It’s time to show a little empathy. But maybe not the way you think. 

Years ago, when I was a brash young Evangelical, a Catholic co-worker referred to her priest as “father.” As you probably know, Jesus explicitly said “call no man father,” which I cited along with chapter and verse. 

My Catholic friend said, “Wow, I need to show that to my priest.” 

That was a pivotal moment for me. Obviously her priest had seen the passage before. It’s not like it was a secret hidden in Martin Luther’s grave. It’s right out there in the open for everybody — including Catholic priests — to read. 

Which means that Catholics have some other interpretation of that verse. They read it differently. 

Over the years I expanded on that lesson to understand that when you think the other side believes something outrageous, the most likely explanation is that you’re at fault. You don’t understand their actual position, and you need to re-think your conclusion. 

That concept was on vivid display over the last few days. I’ve seen influential business leaders complaining that half the country voted for fascism. 

Here’s your clue, people. No, they didn’t, and you make yourself sound foolish by claiming it. 

I might say that the over the top reactions to the election are insulting and alienating to half your workforce. I might say that you should have a little compassion and empathy. 

I’m saying something harder than that. I’m saying that your reactions betray a fundamental flaw in reasoning. If you think that a majority of voters wanted to end democracy and bring in a fascist dictatorship, you’ve left the path of reason. 

If I haven’t convinced you yet, let’s put the shoe on the other foot. Let’s say the election went the other way and the CEO of your company said it was a dark day, and he couldn’t believe that half the country wanted to enforce a one-party, communist dictatorship that is intentionally trying to destroy the country. 

Would that be an appropriate message from a business leader?