I wasn’t sure I was going to comment on the “debate” this week, but Heather Holleman’s reaction, along with her Penn State students, was too good not to share:

Today, everyone in class agreed that nobody really listened to each other during the first presidential debate. We all agreed, for once, that we miss civility and civic discourse. We miss kindness and thoughtful listening. My students tell me that nobody won the debate; we all lost.

Ironically, we all feel more united because of this common enemy of hatred, insult, and rude behavior on both sides of the debate. A rare moment of togetherness! – Heather Holleman, September 30, 2020

I like that she made something positive out of it: togetherness!

Here was my reaction:

The biggest problem is that no one is setting an example of decent behavior. We’re endorsing a culture of shouting each other down. The whole primary debate scenario for Republicans in 2016 and Democrats in 2020 was a shouting match. 

Stay away from all the foolish arguments of the immature, for these disputes will only generate more conflict. For a true servant of our Lord Jesus will not be argumentative but gentle toward all and skilled in helping others see the truth, having great patience toward the immature. Then with meekness you’ll be able to carefully enlighten those who argue with you so they can see God’s gracious gift of repentance and be brought to the truth. This will cause them to rediscover themselves and escape from the snare of Satan who caught them in his trap so that they would carry out his purposes. (2 Timothy 2.23 – 26, Passion Translation) – I am well aware that the target for this instruction was a pastor, not politicians; however, why not everyone?