Letting Go of "Partisan Cruelty" 

Thank you. Christian leadership needs way more people like you. The damage the insurrectionist authoritarian politicians have done to Christianity is immeasurable damage.

I live in the most conservative county in Arizona. Being liberal, I'm a stranger in a strange land. I've found preaching liberalism does nothing but fuel division. I reach out and get to know conservatives. I have become friends with many of them. People are more apt to listen if you reach out to them. I point out the need for civility and decorum. I try to set an example. I honestly show concern for the people in my community. I show interest in them. Conservatives have attacked civility, manners and decorum. They see compassion and empathy as weakness. Compassion and empathy display a person's humanity.

I learned a long time ago, that hate doesn't change the person I hated, but hate changed me.

Rev Ed, thank you so much for keeping up with our insane politics here in the US. Coming from a heavily republican populated rural Texas community, I have needed your theological support and wisdom over the past few years. Many of us really appreciate you being here.

1st Peter 2:1 "...Put away all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." - Rev Ed, these are steps on the pathway to personal peace. When EVERYONE can attain personal peace - we will have peace on earth! Grace and peace to you!

In the absence of greatness, pettiness prevails. Thats exactly what we have in our government. Mostly from the right. Sadly.

The thing is, those people who claim to want to run everything on their 'christian' values are the very ones who are revelling in the cruelty and bullying. I am at a loss on what to do ith them.

Dear Fr Ed, I stumbled across your site a few weeks ago and am so glad you are there! I am a 76 y.o. (retired) Benedictine Solitary and find myself feeling as you do so often. I try all the time not to sink down to the level of all the crap going on around me, and often fail and then have to try to climb back to a higher level. Sometimes I make it, often I fall again. My only hope and consolation is "God is my strength and my salvation, whom then shall I fear." Maybe it is just the training I had as benedictine, but I hope it is more, I believe that the Holy Spirit continues to work through us all everyday, albeit often never as fast as we would like. Believe that the Creator made Compassion and Justice the perfect balance of all his creation, we just have to keep on keeping on to make it a reality in our own lives and those around us. My prayers are with you and all the people in your community, We are all going to make it! Peace, Tom+

Let go be better not bitter. Amen 🙌🙏 thank you for sharing Rev Ed. on these touchy subjects.

I am Australian Pentecostal Christian and have just discovered your podcast. I enjoyed the content .Thank you for sharing, God bless you 🙏

As some one who has been bullied when I was growing up I can honestly say that responding in a tit for tat manner doesn't work. By confronting bullies at thier level we are only encouraging them to continue thier behavior. When I was a kid my learning disabilities and the fact that my parents moved around a couple of times made me the target of bullies. They would say mean things to me and throw spit balls at me and whatever just to make me mad. I would get mad and the teachers would talk to me about it and they would tell me to knock it off because the bullies were basically trying to evoke a response from me. At the time I didn't understand what my teachers were saying but now, almost 45 years later, I realize they were right and as a left leaning person myself I get frustrated with media outlets on my side of the isle who engge in that tit for tat nonsense becuase I realize that it just doesn't work and it only adds fuel to the fire. Thank you REverand TRevors for pointing out the need to rise above it. Thank you for reminding me that the opposite of Hate is love. I think everyone on ourside of the isle has an obligation to rise above the pettiness. Although I am an agnostic, my was raised, at least for a time, in the Christian Church. My Dad was an Officer in the Salvation Army when I was a kid, he would later quit and go back to college before eventually becoming a social worker. When he was a preacher the Salvation Army would more or less emphasize what you just said. We have to fight hate with love. Otherwise we become the monsters they claim we are and the monsters that they themselves have become. Thank you.

The hateful rhetoric has hit my family and friends as well. It’s awful. If they say something I’m supposed to listen but if I say anything opposed to them I’m attacked. Walking away from some because I don’t want to feel this mean all the time. I’d rather be with my best friend, my husband and leave the rest

Thank you Rev. You guide us back onto the path.

Thank you Rev. Trevors. your compassion and honesty encorages me to be a better person.

May God bless you Rev. Ed. I hope my country survives this year ahead. I know some terrible lessons have to be learned in order to right our ship of state. But I still have faith, I have to have faith, that people will find and hold the goodness in their hearts.

There are plenty of songs about this, but here's the first that came to mind: "You see a lot more meanness in the city It’s the kind that eats you up inside Hard to come away with anything that feels like dignity Hard to get home with any pride" -- Don Henley, `Sunset Grill

The only thing that I know of that is more difficult than admitting when I'm wrong is KNOWING that I'm right and not crowing from the rooftops about it. The world would be MUCH better if we all would learn how to peacefully disagree.

I really needed to hear this message. Thank you, Rev. After yesterday, the asshats had me wanting to not only stoop to their level, but to dominate it. And that's not who I am.

Thank you for these profound words. I hope many people can hear these words to encourage us back on the path to the light. Amen.

Michelle Obama once said “when they go low, we go high”. This is really what is being said.

Man I could listen to your talks all day! :)

Amen!🙏🏾 Rev. Trevor’s. It’s totally amazing how much we think alike. I am neither a democrat or a republican, I am a child of The Lord. And no matter how bad I may get treated, talked about or disliked in life. I don’t ever want to believe that I would ever wake up to see myself acting or projecting any bad feelings upon anyone. I have learned to pray for those that mistreat and misuse others. This is not our permanent home. And when the time comes, my greatest reward will be to hear The Lord say well done my servant. And what would I like more than anything, that is to know that my name is written in The Book of Life. So no we can’t be tempted by the things that are temporary on this earth. As you know Jesus work profession when He walked among the people, He was a carpenter. I said that to say, anything that is broken, He can and He will fix it. But yes He has given us a mighty task. We must love one another and forgive in spite of what others may do. May The Lord continue to keep you Rev. Trevors as well as bless you in everything that you do 💕🙏🏾

I just love what you do. I just came across your channel a few days ago. I’ve been struggling with my faith and I feel alone. Your videos have been a blessing

I am getting so tired of being attacked for any word I say. If I can physically distance myself from them, I will. While dealing with customers, who verbally attack me, I will walk away. People today have such short fuses.

Rev. Ed. I always enjoy your reflections. I've noticed you have been posting more lately. The politics in the world have made us all weary, especially here in the U.S. I actually moved from my conservative state to New England because my mental health couldn't take the brutal, hateful behavior that was so constant. I am much happier now and can breathe a little easier. Thank you for your messages. Please take care of you too. I know you carry a burden as a Reverend setting an example, and you do it so well. We are all human. 🙏 Blessings.

Instead of being cruel perhaps reaching for a clever, witty, amusing retort gets a memorable point across without sinking to the opponent's level. I think of people like Winston Churchill, and Samuel Clemens who once said: "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress; but I repeat myself."

We all need to do our best to aspire to what Jesus set by example to strive for.

Very nice . God bless us all with love and kindness in Jesus name. Amen

This is why I watch your videos. Even as an agnostic atheist. I am also queer and I've been bullied my whole life by conservatives and also had my life threatened even by adults all throughout high school. I had developed anger issues (that I'm now getting therapy for with my boyfriend's help) because of bullying and injustice.

Beau of the Fifth Column, Tennessee Brando, and now Rev Ed Trevors, are who I choose to listen to more often than a lot of other commentators. I don't care much for the inflammatory commentary and loaded language, or the hyperbolic click bait titles. I just want straight forward commentary, with a common sense, logical, well thought out approach. I don't want someone trying to make me angry, because anger and emotions cloud judgement, and can lead to the wrong conclusions. I am a fan of Meidas, but they can be very inflammatory at times. I know their intentions are good, but, it isn't necessary. I like Pondering Politics, and several others. I try to expand my intake of information. I am agnostic and I am here on this channel, because I want input from everyone. My brain craves knowledge.

Thank you for being a beacon of humility, kindness and reason!

I deeply wish that more Christians had your perspective on demonizing anybody who they think isn't like them. Tolerance, on ALL sides, would make this world a better place.

What I have seen is that we should become the oil on the water...and pray to the good Lord nobody uses matches.

My parents are obsessed with partisan politics. They contribute absolutely nothing to our families future.

One of your best videos Rev ❤🙏

💜

You said something that is very profound. “In this moment.” I am not 100% angelic because I am a democrat, and I have been impatient and dismissive. Nor are Republicans 100% evil and angry. GRACE my friends.

"There's only one rule that I know of, babies-... you've got to be kind.” Kurt Vonnegut

Thanks Rev Ed 😊

I personally don't believe in despising anything. I'm okay with people being upset about a myriad of things though. Envy, fear, greed and lust. I think those are the most dangerous things we are currently dealing with. I know it isn't realistic but, I wish people loved and respect each other more. What we could be... Together.

I love your talks. Thank you❤

My two favorite comments, “mind your own business “, and , “What would Jesus do?” Love, a lapsed Catholic.

Thank you for the reminder. In today's world the temptation to give as good as we get is strong and at times satisfying, but how we act helps create the world we must then live in. I'm not totally certain that coming down on someone who is hurting others isn't an act of kindness. Best I can tell those who do harm hurt themselves the worst - yes, even Trump. He's one very sad puppy as far as I can see - caught in a prison of his own making and not even knowing there's such a thing as being free of that - so is being decent toward him kind? I'm not sure it is, but then, not being kind to cruel people gives them justification for their cruelty. I'm not sure that's a good idea, so yeah - probably still better to choose kind.

AMEN!! We are meant to be, the kind ones, the healers, the compassionate ones when no one else wants to be. AMEN AND AMEN AGAIN!

This is why I joined your channel Rev. Ed. You represent a way of Christian thinking, that is lost in most of the US churches. My pet peeve, sorry (churches run as businesses and political entities unlike in Germany, where I live). You’re human with all your failings, but you try very hard and encourage others not to be disheartened by being done wrong or by failure. You’re leading by example. This is also a virtue that has become very rare in leaders nowadays. I sometimes wish I’d live closer to your congregation so I could drop by and have a word or just listen to you and I’m not a churchgoer. Thx again for your work. A fan from Bonn/Germany. ☺️🤗

You are real. I am glad that I have met minister like you who are real. 😊

Very powerful message.

Thank you so much for such a beautiful lesson. It's a blessing 🙏

Amen 🙏

You hit the nail on the head. Thanks for a timely reminder.

Our current political environment has lead to muck more of that meanness than I’ve ever seen in my 61 years. It is vital to those who want us divided as a nation.

Thank you for this video. I've spent the better part of a year referring to the MAGA crowd as "MAGAts"; I felt it was reasonably clever (arguable) and not really mean-spirited (untrue). Maybe it harmed no one, maybe it was tame compared to how "they" tend to talk about "us", but it was still insulting, it was intended to be insulting, it was un-Christlike, and it fed that part of me that wants to be cruel and selfish and domineering. I've been trying to let go of using that term lately, as well as the attitude behind its use.

Off topic, but thank you for avoiding jump cuts - the quick fades sooth this Gen Xer.

Really neat to see that there’s a church that honors St. Margaret here in the States. She is my 29th-great-grandmother. One of her projects as Queen of Scotland was to bring people to sites of pilgrimage, leading to the founding of the towns of Upper and Lower Queensferry. That’s a good example to follow - build something to bring people together. And also, I wish more “Christians” took seriously the mandate upon them to be compassionate rather than viciously cruel and hateful.

Amen!❤

As a Jewish person I love watching your content. You speak so much truth and your words resonate with everyone. I fear the anti Semitism as of late. I fear expressing outwardly my religion. We all are taught to love the neighbor, love the outsider, love the different, because we were once the outsiders, the different, and the oppressed. We cannot let others be oppressed, we cannot let others suffer, we cannot sit idly by and watch others be 'othered' because we were 'othered' our entire existence.

"Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round, turn me round, turn me round. Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round, keep on a-walking, keep on a-talking, walking up to freedom land."

Amen ❣️

Im impressed that you care so much about my nation's country. I finally see now in your service a Christian baring fruit, who care as much as I. Thank you God.

It's hard to find a balance where you don't show hate to a verbally abusive person (brother), but you set boundaries so they have fewer opportunities to be abusive.

I am a sensitive person too. Something I am practicing is... Calm, relax, caution. I added another, let go. Let go, then you live as yourself. We are amongst others.

Bless you and thank you for your thoughtful messages. This one is poignant. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Amen

As Im sure a fair amount of your viewers are, I am a moderately liberal ex-Catholic with some resentment towards the church, however your kindness and your relationship with God is so refreshing and compels me to return to a (slightly less conservative and traditional) church. I really thank you for being kind and for this video telling us your honest opinion about vilifying the other side of the political spectrum. More honesty is needed in this word and your words are both inspirational and refreshing. Much love from the States

Bless your soul, Rev. Ed. Thank you for the wisdom you share with all of us. I am truly thankful for your page.

in fact by emulating them we have admitted they are greater than God. we have chosen to prefer their path over God's. how can we claim to be servants of God when we follow teachings directly opposite His? it has been a while since i have told you i love you. honestly you could be a son i never had. you are in my thoughts and prayers every day 🙂

I am also a fan of the term "asshat".

Excellent message as always.

Picture this scenario, l was in the hospital last month recovering from life-threatening complications of COVID. My siblings were texting me to wish me well THEN a one of my sisters started up on Democrats being responsible for the homeless situation in Seattle. (None of them live in Seattle, they are all in Texas). The texts got real NASTY. My brother, also VERY conservative, told her to squash the Democrat bashing. Side note THEY are all conservative, l am the only liberal. Here l came real close to dying, in ICU, and my one sister couldn’t hold back from sticking it to me one more time.

Rev Ed, sadly you are correct & I have been guilty many times myself. I just need to keep praying for patience and try to as Luther said "put the best construction on everything"... BTW, Luther had a sarcastic and castigating tounge himself... especially when he had a couple pints!

Agreed. Who was it that said when you stare in the abyss the abyss stares into you? After all, the soul actually becomes that on which you focus.

There was a fantastic speech from the classic movie "Billy Jack" regarding pacifism. I'm just gong to paraphrase it: "If you show me somewhere on this planet where justice exists, and pacifism presides I will lay down my arms. If you show me one place on earth where authority isn't abused I will move there." Even though on a good day I'm a skeptic I decided to follow you. It's like a sane counterpoint to what I hear coming from "Christians".

I hope and pray a war isn’t coming ❤ as always love sent

In the words of St Patrick, may we find Christ in every eye that beholds us. I have prayed on this a lot, and one meaning I take from it is that we have so conformed to image of Christ that anyone who looks upon us has in their soul the similitude of Christ created in them by the light that carries our presence into their soul. Idk, I am probably wrong, so...

I’ve been battling with this very issue lately. I in fact prayed a couple nights ago that I would not become like this. I don’t want my heart to be hardened by the political battles going on in America, but I’m also drawn to wanting to know what’s going on about the orange one.i believe he is part of the great deceiver, and I hope that we can overcome what he has brought upon our country.

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your perspective! I agree with you 1000%! I often ask my Christian friends on a specific issue, "What will Jesus do?"

Should we not call out the one's coming in Jesus name full of lies? In the name of control? What do we do?

This is why I follow and watch you. As a mental health mentor and content creator on Twitch. I see my calling as reaching out to anyone who needs support, to educate and be an ally. I've said before, I grew up Christian but moved away from it because all of the hypocrisy. Everyone gets my hand and compassion. Bullies often hurt others because they are hurting. If they push my hand away that is their choice. My choice, my calling, is to try.

Have you watched Beau of the Fifth Column? Part of why I love his videos is that he is NOT cruel or inflammatory. Just informative and kind though he allows himself a bit of snark from time to time. He avoids triggering words and phrases, too. And thank you for your demeanor. I appreciate you for the same reasons.

Defying the bully, defending the weak that they pick upon, standing up and saying no to injustice is not sinking to their level. The key to remaining moral is to do just that but no more. Do not become the bully by going to far into revenge or injustice against them. Demanding that they stop is not the same as annihilating the bully. It is an easy boundary to cross in the heat of battle, but with a good moral compass you won't cross that line. If you are worried about that, stop and check yourself. But submitting to injustice to keep the peace will never work with "would be strong men" who are really cowards. I hate the saying of "give them an inch, they will take a mile" but in reality it is too often true. A true moral compass will not lie to compromise. North is north, it cannot be west just because the other says it is south.

Good reminder 🙏🏽 Hate harms the hater the most

Hey there Rev. Trevors! As an atheist, I have enjoyed your videos for some time now. It's great to see a real Christian at work. Anyway, the gist of what Josiah at Pondering Politics meant was for those on the left to stop playing nice (as we are known to do), take off the gloves, and to get more aggressive against the disingenuous rhetoric of the right. Kayleigh McEnany is trying to make a false equivalence as someone who once worked for the biggest bully / liar we've ever known. The misinformation campaign waged by the right-wing media machine is formative. It's not meant for the left to engage in "partisan cruelty"... it is a war for truth. We rise above by fighting for the truth... and now, we need to gird up and fight harder than we ever have. Thank you, kind sir. EDIT --> I should add that the revelation of truth to many of these right-wingers makes them feel persecuted (it's all lies! it never happened! it's a democrat psy-op! fake news!)... and I feel that should be taken into account; truth can be cruel to the brain-washed

I consider it to be crucial to always do the best I can to set a good example for others, particularly if I'm preaching love your neighbor as yourself. The Father has commanded me to engage in no snark when I comment on RU-vid videos.

I agree. I don't like it either. I have been particularly aware of things like people making fun of Trump for his body odor, or the schadenfreude a lot of people express when something bad happens to someone we don't like. And I absolutely do feel a rush of . . . idk, self-righteousness? And that can't be good. That said, we do have a choice to make, when injustice is being done. We can side with the people being mistreated or with the people committing the injustice. That particular type of criticism is necessary. When we support the people who are struggling under injustice, we are showing love to them. Mocking a reporter for his disability, that's cruelty. Calling out injustice? That's necessary, imho.

Kindness is good. Love is wonderful. Compassion is necessary. Boundaries are crucial. Let us not forget, that there is a time and place, to flip tables.

To be kind to evil is to be complicit to evil.

❤

Thanks!

this right here is what is needed. so many miss the fact that being kind in a cruel world is the hard part. my partner and i argue at times because he feels that we let our dems go too easy on the gop (hes british) and i try and explain why imglad that the dems dont stoop to the same level as the gop. he doesnt quite get it. the rage we feel towards the gop and their focus on being as cruel as possible needs to be channeled. not to return the cruelty to the gop but rather to rise above it and prove that we are not like them. and maybe show some they can make the choice that they dont want to continue dwelling in the hate. i hate their actions but i always hope that they will someday seeb the damage they do and wake up. i continue to check in here and have practically since this channel started because i have hope that more will find the path of light. whether it be under any religion that they believe in, or just because they want to spread kindness and caring. You have always done that Rev Trevors. this i respect even as im pagan. please dont let them change you. what i have had to start doing is to when they get to the rant stage is turn off the video because when they get into the buzz word stage then they are past the news and into their emotions. they have the right to these emotions but i, and you, dont have to absorb or put up with it. what you do is very important but so is your mental health. remember this always. You can’t take care of others if you don’t take care of yourself first. Blessed Be

I needed this right now. I have been working on not liking or responding to the nasty memes I agree with. The jokes were a stress relief for a while but I saw myself becoming the monster as you said. It is time to serve again in the best ways we can even if it is just by listening.

Hope or hate Faith or fear

I unsubscribed from the channels you mentioned for the continued inflammatory atmosphere. There is nothing of value to be gained from derision and judgement. Although very difficult, I’ve found it far more helpful to offer understanding and to find common ground. Overall the far right conservatives I have met are concerned about many of the same things I am: affordable housing, providing for family, company cutbacks. It’s a good place to start. When politics come up, I listen thoughtfully and ask questions, respond and never react. If it feels appropriate, I’ll suggest a different perspective. I’m not solving the world’s problems but I’m conducting myself in a way that aligns with my morals. And to be honest, I feel like I’m planting seeds. Many conservatives are so deep into their own bubble that they don’t see “liberals” as human anymore. We can change that, and in doing so, I believe we can open some hearts and minds.

If the point can't be made without vitriol, there is no point.

Thank you for your insight.

Kwe. There is one other practical reason for not taking that path. We aren't very good at it. If you don't want to hurt anyone, you will be at a lethal disadvantage against someone who either does not care or derives pleasure from hurting others. We cannot successfully use their strategies. Jesus vs the Romans. From the Roman viewpoint, Jesus lost. The gospels are full of stories about Jesus trying to explain to h is followers why he was not trying to beat the Romans or the Pharisees at their own game. Nmultis.

You don't make friends with explosives! I think that's an old Irish proverb. My friend, I'm thinking this is a high tech dark age and we survived the last one. The hurricane may be strong but the light still burns, and always will.

Rev Ed I came across you and find myself looking for you you have a heart and I'm looking at myself so thank you

Your human and so are we, humans make mistakes and have impulses and say the wrong thing, but it feels freeing even though we know it is wrong but #ShitHappen. #Forgiveness!

Rev Ed, try the Beau of the 5th column. I have never seen him be mean. He gives facts and his take on what the possible outcomes could be, he sometimes uses humor to point out hypocrisy, not in a mean way but very clearly. His channel works for me to keep up with things in the U.S. without nastiness or condemnation. A great reporter. I thank you for all your work! Love to you sir!

I refer you to my previous comment in your previous video about Mike Johnson and the budget deal : "if there ever was a good COMPASSIONATE leader , it is YOU." You don't have to FEEL obligated , it is inate, inside you, in your DNA . Your "angry, cruel" face , was just funny , though 😄