Behind the Lines is changing. It came into existence as a page associated with a face-to-face discussion group. Behind the Lines will continue to host these discussions, but the page has focused on a phenomenon, the prejudice of political opinion and the partisan divide that is its result.
Behind the Lines take no political stance. What is posted here is not to advance one political party at the expense of another. Instead, it is a town crier shouting, "Hold onto your hats, it's only going to get worse," because that's what happens when there is no longer a consensus about anything. Chaos and disunity rule. Everything falls apart.
In a partisan environment, bad news endured by one side is cheered by the other. Here there is no cheering, only a striving for detachment. Conflict is not pretty, but it is unavoidable as humanity stumbles along to find a better way
This page will be a repository for content on polarization, of which partisan politics is a major force. The polarization of citizens of the U.S and elsewhere into divided camps, not only between political parties but within parties, is driven by prejudice. To prejudice of race, s*x, class, age, etc., add prejudice of political opinion. Where there is prejudice, there is disunity. Disunity is the problem. Our diversity is our strength, but unity in diversity is our goal. We can hold different opinions, but through consultation we can come to agreement on anything, move forward, consult again, and move forward again. That is how a united society is supposed to function, individual, institution and community all working in sync.
The following is the the original story for Behind the Lines: News Article Discussion:
Our participation in the discourse of society can help unite a divided society, if we have the courage to leave our comfortable arm chairs, move beyond partisanship, and seek face-to-face conversation with each other. This is a group to look at the biggest issues of the day, such as governance, the future direction of society, and the social forces impacting it. Each meeting two articles are up for discussion. The articles, which consist of news analysis or opinion, come from reputable, fact-based media.
To operate "behind the lines," guerrilla-fashion, is to ignore the divisions imposed on us by partisan thinking. Let's talk. And when we're done, let's say a prayer for humanity.
BEHIND THE LINES: NEWS ARTICLE DISCUSSION is a face-to-face event in the spirit of America in One Room, an example, hopefully, of deliberative democracy in action, that meets about three times a month on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening or a Saturday afternoon.
Behind the Lines has been described as both a "book club" for the news and a "support group" for people who read the news. The choice of subject, determination of which articles to discuss, and the advertising and promotion for the event is done with a short turnaround in mind to ensure we are being as topical and current as possible.
The preferred format here is not one of back-and-forth dialogue. Rather the format is known as "The Round" in which we will together read excerpts from the chosen articles and then each of us have an opportunity to share our impressions of what we have read, briefly, without interruption or comments from others. going around the circle of participants. We are responding to the material and not the last thing a person said. This way, we listen and we share, but we have the benefit of hearing from everyone. These rules are a guide for discussion:
(1) Listen respectfully, without interrupting.
(2) Listen actively and with an ear to understanding others' views. (Don’t just think about what you are going to say while someone else is talking.)
(3) Criticize ideas, not individuals.
(4) Commit to learning, not debating. Comment in order to share information, not to persuade.
(5) Avoid blame, speculation, and inflammatory language.
(6) Allow everyone the chance to speak.
(7) Avoid assumptions about any member of the class or generalizations about social groups. Do not ask individuals to speak for their (perceived) social group.
My motivation for hosting these events comes out of my being a Baha'i and the obligation that Baha'is place upon themselves to be outward-looking. We see themselves as community-builders working with anybody who is interested in the same broad vision for the world that we have. Baha'is are obligated to be "Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in," and participate in the discourse of society, not because we Baha'is have all the answers -- we don't -- but because our community is learning along with all of the other communities that make up the world and we want to learn from and the share with those communities. If it is nothing else, this world, this plane of existence, is a learning environment, a crucible, yes, with grave dangers, but also a place of great joy. It is scary, but it is also wonderful to be alive in this day, and to collaborate with others.
(Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá)
www.bahai.org/r/010989351
