Extremism comes from both left and right

​I encourage you to be praying for common sense to prevail in our political discourse.  This week I have been told repeatedly on social media that I am a religious bigot, religious scum and worse.  Why? Because I suggested that we should be seeking to remove extremists from all political parties—extreme right fascists and white supremacists from the parties on the right (Libs, Nats etc) and extreme socialists and communists from those on the left (Greens, Labor etc).  Apparently it was wrong of me to suggest there are extremists on the left of the political spectrum as well as the right. 
 
Here is the truth.  The political spectrum is not a straight line from left to right—in fact it looks more like a horse shoe, with the extreme right and left almost identical.  We must seek to find a place near the bottom of the horse shoe—in the sensible centre.  That means we need to do away with identity politics and an ‘Us and Them’ mentality. 
As Christians whether we lean more to the left or to the right of the horse shoe, we must seek to avoid the extremes, and be welcoming, loving and respectful in our discussions and debates, even when we are really passionate about something!
 
Let us seek to set an example of how to disagree well.  Let us set an example of sensible and reasoned debate. Let us above all show the world that we see everyone as loved by God and made in his image, and worthy of the dignity and respect that demands.