As we reflect on the upcoming inauguration and on the recent election, many are struggling with how to move forward. The past year has seen political violence, including assassination attempts, and discord in our communities. The result, as intended, is that our faith in democracy and one another has been deeply shaken. Next week’s inauguration marks an important moment in the democratic process: the peaceful transfer of power, a tradition that underscores the resilience of our democracy, even in times of deep division.
For some, this most recent election has shaken their faith in God. For many of us, how we cast our votes is a way that we take action to address our concerns for ourselves and our communities. Implicitly, votes cast for other candidates lead us to believe those voters do not care for us, our families or our friends. A successful democracy requires trusting the systems that allow us to participate and relying on our neighbors to help us determine our future. But how can we do that when we feel our neighbors have become enemies who support leaders who threaten our safety or insult us?
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