How Americans view civility

Bullying. Harassment. Violent behavior. Hate crimes Intimidation and threats. Intolerance. Feeling less safe in public places. Discrimination and unfair treatment. Less community engagement. Feelings of isolation and loneliness.

These are the top 10 consequences of incivility, according to a survey taken last year on civility in America. The survey also found that 68% of Americans consider incivility to be a major problem, and another 1 in 4 (25%) believe it is a minor problem. Fewer than 1 in 10 (7%) found it not to be a problem at all. More than 3/4 (80%) of all Americans report having personally experienced uncivil behavior at one time or another.

In 2019, the frequency of uncivil encounters was an average of 10.2 per week. Almost half of reported uncivil encounters occurred online, which is why 63% of Americans say that, in their experience, the impact of social media on civility has been more negative than positive. Only 9% say it has been more positive than negative.

This Week at the ERLC

Russell Moore has an article at The Gospel Coalition about an unhealthy craving for controversy.

Russell Moore and Chelsea Patterson Sobolik were quoted in a Baptist Press article about the upcoming legislative battle over the Hyde Amendment.

What You Need to Read

We will always disagree with other people about things. In this season, it seems we have more than enough occasions to practice civility, which seems to come at the crossroads of empathy and critical thinking. We can look at an issue logically while also attempting to understand the feelings and beliefs of another person leading them to their position. Civility isn’t setting aside truth for the sake of unity; it’s showing respect for others made in God’s image.

I suspect that while work from home will be a permanent option for a good number of organizations, this lesson might be the most profound for all of us. For many, there will be a growing desire to see and enjoy the people we work alongside and to form those bonds that can last a lifetime. And while COVID-19 has interrupted these things for a season, we can go about our work knowing that, whether at home or in a building, whatever God has given us to do is a gift. Our faithfulness in and out of season is what he requires and what brings him pleasure.

I don’t know how Christians felt then about church outside, but our 5 p.m. service out under the trees is one of my favorite parts of each week. The monotony of working from home, conversations through Zoom, and the constant temptation to doom scroll online is a cycle that needs to be countered. We’ve traveled some to see family, but all other trips, for work and fun, have been cancelled. My brother recently gave words to a sentiment we all feel, “There’s nothing to look forward to.” I’m thankful we now have Sundays to look forward to.

News From Capitol Hill

The ERLC and a broad coalition of evangelical organizations commended the U.S. Department of Education's new final rule guaranteeing equal access for religious student groups at public universities. The regulation ensures federal protection for the First Amendment rights of free religious exercise and assembly for students on public college and university campuses.

The ERLC, Christian Legal Society, The Navigators, the National Association of Evangelicals, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Cru, among many other organizations, have long advocated for the necessity for these regulations to protect the constitutional rights of students.

As the news broke on Wednesday, Russell Moore responded to these new regulations:

“A shared commitment to certain core beliefs is fundamental to the very purpose of a Christian student group. This new regulation recognizes that. The freedom of students to hold such beliefs is not a malleable aspect of their assembly that is up for debate by college administrators. The state has no authority to determine the qualifications of a religious group’s membership or leadership. A government allowed to impede the consciences of college students is a government that can do so anywhere.”

Religious student groups not only have the constitutional right to assemble but, it should also be noted, they contribute to the well-being of their campus and broader community. College ministries positively contribute to the social and mental health of students by guiding them through the common stress of college life. These faith groups also frequently contribute to their university and surrounding communities by volunteering to serve under-resourced areas in their neighborhood and the world.

For more on this development, check out the ERLC’s press release from Wednesday with comments from the leaders of Christian Legal Society, The Navigators, National Association of Evangelicals, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Cru.

You can learn more on this policy with this fact sheet from the Department of Education and this policy brief from the ERLC.

Featured Podcasts

On this episode of First Word, Russell Moore continues the story of Noah and his descendants after the Flood. In this new start for the human race, God provides both a judgement on the ongoing wickedness of humanity as well as a promise of his grace and mercy in the rainbow. Also, we see the importance of blood and the way that God will require justice from those who shed the blood of another. This is continuing the sign of blood of how God is reconciling the world to himself in Christ.

On this episode of WeeklyTech, Jason Thacker discusses Elon Musk and Neuralink. Neuralink specializes in the development of brain computer interfaces (BCI) that it hopes will be able to help cure neurological diseases such as memory loss, hearing loss, depression, and insomnia, as well as potentially enhance healthy human beings with abilities ranging from typing with your thoughts, hailing a self-driving car, or even extending your memory.

From The Public Square

The Share of Never-Married Americans Has Reached a New High
Wendy Wang, Institute for Family Studies

In less than 20 years, the proportion of never-married Americans has risen from 21% to 35%, a 14-percentage point increase.

Still too soon to try altering human embryo DNA, panel says
Marilynn Marchione, Associated Press

An international panel of medical experts says it’s still too soon to try to make genetically edited babies because the science isn't advanced enough to ensure it can be done safely.

Federal court blocks Trump's abortion 'gag' rule
Alice Miranda Ollstein, Politico

The ruling applies just to Maryland, but it creates a split in the judiciary — the 9th Circuit previously allowed the funding restrictions to move forward.

COVID-19 Concerns Accelerate Homeschool Movement’s Growth
Paula Ramirez, Christianity Today

Homeschooling numbers were rising before 2020. The percentage of school-age children taught at home in the United States rose from 1.6 in 1999 to 3.3 in 2016, the most recent numbers available from the US Department of Education.