This past week, the Presbyterian Church in America held its annual General Assembly in Richmond, Va., where the leaders gathered to discuss various topics. As a former member of this church for over 15 years, it came as a shock to me when they decided to cancel my participation at the event. I was set to speak about the challenges of toxic polarization, a topic I am passionate about, but I was deemed too divisive to address the audience.
The invitation to speak at the event was extended to me due to the fact that I have been the subject of online and real-life attacks, making me well-equipped to discuss how to support pastors and church leaders in a politically polarized environment. However, as soon as my participation was announced, the attacks intensified. There were negative essays, hateful tweets, letters, and even a parody song created to discredit me and the denomination. The pressure to remove me from the panel was overwhelming, leading to the cancellation of the entire discussion.
Our family joined the P.C.A. denomination back in 2004 when we lived in Philadelphia and attended Tenth Presbyterian Church in Center City. At that time, the denomination aligned with our beliefs as I was both politically and theologically conservative. Despite being a Republican at the time, I appreciated the apolitical nature of the church and the diverse congregation that included friends from different political backgrounds.
The decision to cancel my participation at the General Assembly has left me feeling disappointed and alienated from a community that was once a significant part of my life. The experience has shed light on the challenges of addressing polarization within faith communities and the importance of fostering unity amidst differing opinions.
As I reflect on this incident, I am reminded of the evolving nature of church dynamics and the need for open dialogue and understanding in the face of divisive issues. Moving forward, I hope that the Presbyterian Church in America and other religious institutions can find common ground to address polarization and create inclusive spaces for meaningful discussions and debates.