Whatever Happened to Civil Discourse?

 

In St. Benedict’s Holy Rule he says the younger monks should respect the elders and the elder monks should love the younger.  He also commands that guests were to be received as Christ and special consideration should be given to the less fortunate.

I’m sure he would be horrified at the way this year’s presidential campaign has been conducted.  The candidates have referred to each other as unfit, lying, evil, and worse in some instances.  Common courtesy is mostly absent and hateful slurs and innuendos are rampant.

So I really liked the last question from a man in the audience at the second debate: What is one good thing you could say about your opponent? Hilary Clinton said she thought Donald Trump’s children were exemplary young people so he must be a good father, and Donald Trump said Secretary Clinton had perseverance and determination and never gave up.  It was a relief that they found something to admire about the other in spite of all the negativity they displayed.

In my memory, presidential candidates disagreed with each other, but maintained mutual respect and did not demean the other. Intelligent, educated people know how to make their positions clear without stooping to destroy the other person.  Acting otherwise is abusive and a poor example for our children. I hope voters will demand civil discourse in their political candidates.