We’re More Than Political Animals
What Pope St. John Paul II can teach a world where TrumpSingles exists
When Aristotle said that “Man is a political animal,” he was pointing out the inevitability of some sort of organized state. Aristotle understood that humans are drawn to live with each other, to communicate, and to form community. A structure naturally emerges, and a political system is formed. In its context, Aristotle isn’t wrong, but his anthropology is incomplete. His statement defines man by his relation to other people — a horizontal relationship.
The Judeo-Christian tradition accepts this, but also goes beyond it. Man is made in the image of God, so his identity is found horizontally (in his inevitable connection to others) and vertically (in his inevitable connection to God). As Genesis 9:6 says “For in the image of God He made man.” Pope St. John Paul II expounded on this in Theology of the Body,
“Man becomes an image of God not so much in the moment of solitude as in the moment of communion.”
“Communion” is, in our modern context, a much better word than “political.” It’s common knowledge that Americans are increasingly polarized based on their politics.
People update their Facebook status listing where they come down on controversial topics and end by saying “Unfriend me if you disagree.” For us politically-passionate singles, niche dating sites have emerged like “ConservativesOnly” or TrumpSingles” (let’s all shudder and gag as we envision using a president as the primary filter for a significant other). I’ve seen friends and family decline invitations to weddings and holidays based on the host’s political views. Not a conscientious “I can’t attend a same-sex wedding because I’m Christian”, but “she said she hates Trump. I voted for him, so I’m not going to her wedding.” (That’s almost a direct quotation). We’ve even turned which fast food restaurant we order a chicken sandwich from into an ideological signal. Treating political ideology as the defining aspect of our life is turning us into political animals.
But polarization won’t be healed by preaching “tolerance” and “civil dialogue.” Those are the sterile terms of a droning sociologist. Tolerance without conviction and dialogue without passion lead to apathy. We need a more positive vision of human interaction.
We need to be communal Image-bearers rather than political animals. In communion we unite around something greater than human power and party agendas. Politics cannot bring us lasting truth, beauty, or goodness. Politics is fueled by power, but communion is created by love and community. Do we see other people as icons of their political party, or as fellow image-bearers of God?
