We live in a time marked by sharp divisions and frequent hostility. Public discourse too often resembles a contest to be heard rather than a conversation to be had, and civility has become a casualty of that struggle. The result is a widening rift—between nations, congregations, families, and friends—that corrodes trust and makes constructive action more difficult.
Polarization thrives where listening stops and posturing begins. When people speak only to reinforce their own views, debates harden into battles and nuance is lost. Social media, partisan media, and the pressures of identity politics amplify this tendency, rewarding outrage and penalizing restraint. Recognizing these dynamics is the first step toward changing them.

A simple, time-tested remedy is the Golden Rule: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12). This is a practical ethic for everyday encounters. Applied consistently, it shifts the default from retaliation to reciprocity, from escalation to de‑escalation, and from contempt to basic human dignity.
Below are some suggestions as to how we can live this Rule in our lives:

• Listen first. Give others the chance to speak without interruption; listening disarms defensiveness and opens the door to mutual understanding.
• Give respect before you receive it. Waiting for respect to be earned often means it never appears; offering a baseline of courtesy preserves the possibility of reconciliation.
• Assume good intent when possible. Not every disagreement is an attack; many are the result of fear, ignorance, or honest error.
• Speak with clarity and restraint. State convictions firmly but without contempt; avoid personal attacks and caricatures.
• Pray and act with compassion. Prayer can accompany efforts to love and serve even those who oppose you. It is difficult to treat poorly those who are in your prayers.
  There will be times when, despite our best efforts, civility proves impossible. In those moments, wisdom calls for prudence rather than pride. Set healthy boundaries to protect yourself and others, disengage from destructive exchanges, and seek peace where it is attainable. As Paul counseled, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). Peace is not always achievable, but pursuing it remains our responsibility.

If we aspire to be the example of Christ in the world, our conduct must reflect a steady commitment to dignity, patience, and charity. Small acts—listening without interrupting, offering respect before it is returned, praying for those we disagree with—accumulate into a culture that resists polarization. May the Golden Rule be more than a slogan: let it be the rule of engagement that guides our words and shapes our communities.