Faith Amid Polarization

On the afternoon of September 15th, Brian Robinette and Fr. Ken Himes, O.F.M, hosted a

luncheon in Gasson Hall to reflect upon the ways in which the faith can guide believers away

from the harmful effects of polarization. Both men hoped to inspire the BC community to lead

important conversations, new perspectives, and unlikely friendships.

Fr. Ken Himes previously published other research related to polarization, but sought to provide concrete practices and principles for readers through the Boston College C21 Resources Fall 2023 issue. Robinette served as the guest editor of this issue because of his special interest in

systematic theology. Furthermore, he helped facilitate the discussion with Fr. Ken Himes.

In their conversation, Robinette asked Fr. Himes about his thoughts about the origin of

contemporary polarization. Fr. Himes noted that the tension behind the 2020 election offers

some insight to this answer.

He described the high tension and emotion between people during this period, and the sensitivity of this topic. Further, Fr. Himes characterizes the effect of the 2020 election as a

competition to see who would “snap” first.

Fr. Himes posited that the U.S. is suffering from “political sectarianism” and not political

polarization. This type of polarization centers on the domination of the opposing party, and does

not allow for conversation and insightfulness which is “key to a democracy” according to Fr. Himes.

Robinette proposed that the reason for this moral decline may be the “substitut[ion] of political partisanism for religion.” According to him, there is a major tendency for people to define themselves more by their political stance than other of their loyalties.

Both men argued that this conflict of identities originates as a response to the question of ‘Who am I?’. Fr. Himes cited that the “decline of cross-cutting loyalties” described by Harvard professor Robert Putnam is the reason for this extent of polarization within groups.

Fr. Himes claimed that modern society defines itself more by one or two small interest groups than larger ones with diversity. His example was the unity that existed between two people who had different political stances but were a part of the same workers’ union.

Thus, in the past, he perceived that commonality among people brought with it a sense of unity despite differences. Fr. Himes compared this issue and the necessity of holding onto

commonality to the situation the Corinthians faced after St. Paul departed to Greece to start

another Church.

He explained that different factions had formed within the Corinthians according to the religious leader they thought they should follow; Paul, Apollos, or Peter. To Paul himself, it was clear that the Corinthians had lost sight of their most important commonality which was their union under the one Lord and as disciples of Jesus. 

Fr. Himes suggested that Christians should follow suit to St. Paul’s reorientation of the

Corinthians. He reiterated the verses that describe the diversity of the body’s limbs, and the

necessity of the body as a whole.

Fr. Himes concluded with the heed for Christians to “know [their] primary identity” as Christians. In this way, each will recognize the fundamental dignity every human receives from God.