Epidemic of Mistrust (Part 2)
In June (you can read it at https://stjchurchaz.blogspot.com/2020/05/a-matter-of-trust.html) , I suggested we are living through an epidemic of mistrust. As July and August have now passed, I think even more attention should be given to how we can rebuild trust in our society. By trusting each other, the information we transmit, and especially our leaders, we will be better equipped to deal with COVID-19 and whatever crises we may face. Without trust, every crisis will be more severe. All you need to do is look to New Zealand, Australia, or South Korea and know we could have done better.
Specifically, mistrust in journalists, scientists, and leaders has sown confusion and amplified the COVID-19 pandemic in the US. I understand why there is mistrust—I gave some examples in June of why people’s lack of trust in these three groups is well deserved. But what are we doing to rebuild trust? I suggested:
(1) Be trustworthy ourselves. Do we keep our word? Do we speak the truth even when embarrassing or counter to our interests?
(2) Extend trust to others unless we have specific evidence. Are we suspicious of other’s motives without evidence? Do we generalize one person’s failure to a whole group?
(3) Help others put (mis-)deeds in perspective. When someone else generalizes, do we speak up to say, “that’s not everyone,” or let it pass? Are we listening to the most extreme voices?
(4) Minimize payoff for those profiting from mistrust by not giving attention to it. Do we avoid clicking on that sensational post? Do we change the channel?
(5) Forgive and encourage repentance. Do hold leaders accountable when they break trust? Do we encourage repentance? Do we forgive past deeds and give opportunity for change?
Let me say some more here about (3) Help others put (mis-)deeds in perspective.
It is a standard tactic in arguments to refer to the most extreme, even absurd, example to dismiss someone’s idea. For example in a conversation about police reform, someone said to another person, “Oh, you want to defund the police.” Immediately the temperature in the room went up 20 degrees and the person tried to explain that is not what she was saying but never was heard. While the phrase “defund the police” may get clicks on the internet (and this gets to point (4), people make money off those clicks), few serious people use that phrase. See https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/americans-like-the-ideas-behind-defunding-the-police-more-than-the-slogan-itself/ It does not help build trust, which we so desperately need, between citizens, city leaders, and police departments.
In that example, the way to build trust is to bring people together to listen to each other. For people to share their stories of excessive force while police leaders and officers listen without defensiveness. Then, to listen to police officers, who we ask to deal with the worst behavior of human beings, and to ask what reforms they would make. To extend trust to experts who have studied the most effective reforms taking place around the country, including in Phoenix. See https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2020/08/22/how-city-manager-police-chief-continue-reforming-phoenix-police/5617681002/
If we put other’s deeds in perspective, we resist the urge to make this a political issue. There are Democrats and Republicans who try to stake out a position in order to score points with their base. This only erodes trust. As Christians, we are not interested in political parties and their victories. We are interested spreading the news of Jesus, who changes hearts to love God and neighbor. Even though humanity broke trust with God, God came to us in Jesus and gave us the gift of forgiveness and trust. The Holy Spirit is working within us to build new trust with each other.
What do you think? Put your comments on the blog for this article.
Pastor Peter
