Would You Want to Be Friends with This Person?

What if you had a friend with a number of serious problems, what would you say to him?  And when I say “serious problems,” I’m referring to problems of character–spiritual problems, as it were–for the spiritual dimension is the ground that we come from, for all of our living, is it not?  Let’s say that your friend behaves in the following way:

–He begins to use most any means at all, to justify the ends he was going for.

–He manipulates others by playing on their deepest fears and insecurities.

–He tells lies and encourages others to lie, in service of their goals.

–He discounts science and tries to discredit reputable scientists.

–He shows little compassion for the poor, the sick, the weak.

–He believes that “freedom” means that the strong should take all they can get.

–He says he is a Christian and he has serious doubts about those who are not.

I have a friend like this.  But I am saddened by what has become of him.  Although historically he has had values that differed from mine in significant ways, I could understand and respect his values–values like like preserving tradition, taking personal responsiblity, and loving one’s country.  But I no longer respect him or his values.

You may have guessed his name by now: he is called Grand O. Party.  But the moniker of “grand” surely no longer applies, and the “party” lacks all integrity and therefore all cohesion and all power to influence our country in positive ways.

Can my friend be redeemed?  Of course.  We all go down the wrong path at times.  We are led astray by false leaders and promises of wealth and glory.  My friend needs to give up his ways of lying and manipulating, to get his way.  He needs to stop worshiping shallow and vain leaders, more given to ego than to genuine caring about the country.  He needs to learn to respect and co-operate with those who may differ from him, whether in race or class or religion or sexual orientation.  He needs to understand that we are a country, and we must face our demons together as a people, or we are lost.

Will my friend change?  Is he like most of us–that is, he has to fall hard, has to lose everything before he will change his ways?  I hope not.  In the not-too-distant past, my friend has added substantially to the national conversation.  I would hope that someday, some way, that might happen again.