Faith leaders to host workshop on political polarization Thursday

Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel
Updated ·2 min read

GRAND HAVEN — A nonprofit organization recently formed by a group of Ottawa County faith leaders will hold a workshop event on the “science of polarization” Thursday night, April 11.

The Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians is hosting a workshop with the One America Movement at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, at the Grand Hall above Porto Bello, 41 Washington Ave.

Rev. Jared Cramer, center, discusses his views on the intersection of faith and politics at an August event in Grand Haven. The Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians will hold an event on polarization Thursday, April 11.
Rev. Jared Cramer, center, discusses his views on the intersection of faith and politics at an August event in Grand Haven. The Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians will hold an event on polarization Thursday, April 11.

Participants can register to attend at unifyingchristians.com/polarization. Tickets to the event are $15. The event will run from 6-8 p.m. with snacks provided to attendees, according to a release.

The workshop will be led by Kevin McIntosh, the Michigan Regional Outreach Manager for One America Movement. It will be an interactive experience for participants to “explore the myths of toxic polarization” and the “neurological and social science behind our divisions.”

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It’s meant to “bridge the divides” between people by helping participants understand the reasons behind polarization.

“My own more progressive political views are well known, but I truly cherish the deep relationships I have with several of my more conservative colleagues in the area,” wrote Rev. Jared Cramer, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church and steering committee member of OCUC. “Growing up in a conservative family here in Grand Haven, so much of the current language and dialogue is simply foreign to the conservatism I knew growing up. I also know that those on the extremes of any political party don’t truly represent most of my conservative friends and colleagues.

“I truly believe that all of us — liberal or conservative or in between — are not nearly as far apart as it feels at times. I’m hoping this workshop can help us understand and bridge those divides.”

OCUC was founded by faith leaders in Ottawa County in “opposition to the growth of Christian nationalism” in the area. On the organization’s website, it says founders were “distressed by the continued actions and statements,” by Ottawa Impact-affiliated commissioners on the Ottawa County board.

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The One America Movement is a national nonprofit that looks to confront “growing social and political divides.” It is funded by grants from organizations on both sides of the political aisle.

For more information, visit unifyingchristians.com.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Faith leaders to host workshop on political polarization Thursday