Ever since the political chaos that ensued after Donald Trump's loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 election, we as a nation have been on an alarming collision course that threatens our spiritual and democratic foundations. We are living in a time where mutual respect across partisan aisles has given way to utter disdain. I have especially seen this expressed in my travels and daily commute to work.

Back in June when I stopped for gas at a RaceTrac station several miles outside of Atlanta, "F—- Joe Biden" had been scrawled in all caps with a purple marker on the pump I was using. I suspect the anger against Biden was even more intensified since gas prices were soaring during the summer. The June prices at that Georgia RaceTrac station began with $4.39 for regular unleaded. As I was leaving Columbus, Ohio, that morning, prices had tipped over $5 in most of the Buckeye State. In July, I unfortunately saw the same insulting message regarding Biden scribbled on another gas pump at a Shell station in Covington, Georgia.

For the past year on my commute to work in Lima, Ohio, I have seen a huge banner of Trump proclaiming that he won in 2020 on Highway US-33 West. The banner has greatly faded due to the elements from the weather, but it's a stark reminder of the opinions of many in the northwest part of the state. I also pass a house on Route 117 West that has a blue and white "F—- Joe Biden" banner flying alongside football flags for Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns. I have often wondered if the people in this house would be welcoming of African American OSU and Browns players, as I have also seen Confederate flags in this area.

The late civil rights activist John Lewis, who was the Democratic representative for Georgia's 5th Congressional District, said that he felt like crying from watching the political turmoil fester in the country before he passed away in 2020. He was extremely concerned that we were on the brink of losing our democracy, and this greatly saddened him knowing the legislative victories he and other civil rights leaders zealously fought for during the 1960s. Lewis was renowned for urging us to get into "good trouble" when we see injustice and unfairness. If he were alive today, I believe Lewis would pour out even more from his fervent faith in God and admonish us by quoting Matthew 12:25, where Jesus says, "... every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." In this scripture, the Lord was explaining to people that a city, house or kingdom cannot prosper if it has internal conflict. For Israel, this was a spiritual conflict questioning the authenticity of Christ's deity and His miracles that included casting out demons, healing the sick and raising the dead.

In thinking about our current times, I believe Lewis, who once aspired to be a minister, would tell us that we are self-inflicting ourselves with hatred, disrespect and in the case of many in Congress, lust for power at any cost. It would not be the first time our country would hear a reprimand of this manner, as Abraham Lincoln also quoted Matthew 12:25 in 1858 at the Republican State Convention in Springfield, Illinois, maintaining that "this government cannot endure, permanently half slave and half free." Just as Lincoln spoke these prudent words with the civil war looming, our country is now battling a civil war within itself, where concurrence on the basic precepts and values of our democracy is in danger of dissipating.

As I have reflected on the awful Biden banner and horrible written sentiments against him that I saw over the summer, while also watching some of the volatile political ads leading up to the midterm elections, I truly understand why Lewis felt like crying. I'm in no way advocating that Biden should not be criticized or that his policies should not be questioned, but the sheer contempt for him and lack of civil discourse for political disagreement we are witnessing is both shameful and scary. Another warning that I take to heart from Scripture in this toxic atmosphere is when Christ said that the "love of many shall wax cold" in latter days (Matthew 24:12). Love, that is agape love, is sorely lacking in America, and as a result, our society is suffering immensely.

Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com. Follow her on Twitter: @JjSmojc. To find out more about Jessica Johnson and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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