Last paradox : more contact with the other side will decrease conflict . Conservative and liberal shouldn ’ t be code words for good and bad ( or bad and good ), and most of us hold strong in the center . We should heed advice to appreciate the other side not as evil , but as voicing their own moral opinions and viewpoints . But I say we go a step farther . Throw away your mental model of Us versus Them . In the 16th century , Montaigne said , “ We each have within ourselves so much diversity and texture , so many pieces with their own role to play , that the differences we house within ourselves are greater than those between us and other people .” 32
Religion , science and government have helped us confront and conquer challenges like COVID-19 for centuries , each providing different ways to cope , with “ much greater impact if they operate in unison .” 33 Justice Gorsuch forgot to mention that the same people who attend church also drink beer and ride bikes . The epidemiologist purchasing microbrew goes to synagogue . The mechanic who has acupuncture for chronic neck pain looks forward to attending his mosque . I know cyclists who are more devout and evangelistic than many Christians . I enjoy the taste of Sangiovese wine , but it doesn ’ t compare to the profound , healing comfort of attending Mass in person with my wife and children ( masked up ) after months of quarantine . We should all be free to choose what is indispensable in life , but we cannot debate the essential nature of our common humanity . If we dispense with that , not only do we lose conversation , we cannot even see each other .
References
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Dr . Huecker is a practicing University of Louisville emergency medicine physician and faculty member .
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