About two hundred years ago – when the United States of America came into existence – the rest of the world was governed by Kings and Emperors, etc. What our founders did was a monumental experiment. Over the subsequent couple of centuries we have gone through some really tough, challenging times and the world has changed considerably – obviously.

Shortly after our founding the French had their revolution and out of this we have the terms “right” for those favoring staying, more or less, with the status quo and “left” for those favoring getting rid of the establishment and having more liberty. Hence, liberalism.

The present (political) polarization we are experiencing follows from different values which the left and the right segments of society have. Arguably, the most relevant dictum is “Your Liberty To Swing Your Fist Ends Just Where My Nose Begins.”

I have worked with dynamic systems involving people for many decades. Technically the polarization phenomenon we are experiencing is due to positive feedback in a closed loop. This is analogous to the loud screech of audio feedback. This deteriorating behavior is what one gets unless steps are taken to address the problems.

I have come to believe that the only way out of our dilemma is for people who have Christian values to work together (note the action) to de-escalate the conflict. I believe that Jesus really meant it when he said that we are to love our enemies and the proposed strategy can only come from those who do so. It almost goes without saying that we are to love our neighbors.

I further believe that the proposed working together can and will come from communities like those described in The Benedict Option. My conclusion is that much of the discussion surrounding the “Benedict Option” is about engagement with the “outside” world. Jesus provided the example for doing that.

I have, in my own mind, worked out lots of the details to implement the proposed strategy and would welcome interaction with others that are interested in depolarizing and getting us (Western Civilization) heading in the right direction.