British philosopher John Stuart Mill said that “He who knows only one side of an issue, doesn’t even know that side.” It is only when your view is challenged by the other side, or at least someone arguing for that other side, and arguing full out, do you actually begin to see the issue fully.

Will Braun, our Canadian Mennonite University instructor, like me, listens to CBC radio a lot. He used to listen to Rex Murphy who was quite conservative.  So did I. Braun did not feel comfortable with those views. Nor did I. Yet, Braun said, “CBC should have 5 guys like Rex Murphy because without views like that it is too easy for the opponents to say defund the CBC they offer nothing to me.”

I used to say the same thing about CNN. And Fox News. In the last couple of years, I have noticed they both now do have more panelists that bring the other viewpoint to the table or panel. I enjoy the panels more as a result, even though the conservatives enlisted by CNN often drive me nuts. But sometimes, they make important points. I have to admit that is true. And uncomfortably true.

Braun thinks it is important to hold the tension between the 2 sides of a polarized chasm. Don’t let it spring out and get wrecked he said.

Mahatma Gandhi had bitter fights with the British, but he did not hate them.  Hate never helps. He said that what we need to do to the British is serve them.  If we do that, he argued, there is nothing the British will be able to do but treat us like equals. Would that work?

Braun had another example involving the Centre for Israel and Jewish (‘CIJA’) Affairs. It is the primary organization for Jewish affairs in Canada. They have very strong Anti-Palestinian views. They argue hard for Israel and Jewish support. A lot of people on the left are deeply opposed to them. A lof of Mennonites are opposed to their views, but Braun as the editor of the Canadian Mennonite insisted that viewpoint needs to heard not silenced.

Here is a thought experiment, what should you do the next time you argue with them? Braun interviewed one of their representatives in Canada. He said his job was to address Islamophobia and antisemitism. That sounds like a laudable goal. What if a Mennonite group approached them and said, ‘that sounds like a laudable goal and we want to help you. We have 10 volunteers, how can we help? Like Gandhi, we want to serve you. Would that work?

The goal here, according to Braun, is to move the CJIA to a softer view inside CJIA. Serve your opponent rather than fighting them. That might reduce the polarization. You might eveen find there is something you can learn from the other side. Don’t assume that all truth  and light is on your side. That really is the point.

I think Braun had a point.

+