Putting The United Back Into The United States: Mike Oslance Of Reimagine Jesus Foundation On The 5 Things That Each Of Us Can Do To Help Unite Our Polarized Society
An Interview With Jake Frankel
Put simply, people need to be critical thinkers. They need to listen to many opinions and truly respect the differing opinion. Sadly, when the “other side” is cast in a negative or derogatory light, critical thinking is impossible. Furthermore, when someone who is different is labeled as an adversary, an implicit barrier is established that prevents obtaining an informed opinion (i.e., bias.) Sadly, people are able to turn quick profits by enraging people and/or pretending to support people…only to abandon them shortly thereafter. Genuine caring and concern is not only the hallmark of religion…but of America’s promise that all people deserve life, liberty, and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. By definition, our nation cannot turn its back on people who are blocked from happiness.
As part of our series about 5 Things That Each Of Us Can Do To Help Unite Our Polarized Society, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Oslance.
Mike Oslance, Director of the Reimagine Jesus Foundation, has spent his life pleading for responsible paradigms of communication in faith. Mike was born in 1952 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; he has lived most of his adult life in St. Louis and worked for over 40 years in different pastoral and educational ministries in the Catholic Church. He holds degrees in Philosophy, Divinity, and Educational Administration and is committed to both transparent leadership and providing venues for various perspectives in faith communities. Mike is currently engaged in a deep dive into how the teachings of Jesus can play out through the work of his foundation to affect significant change in today’s world.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I grew up in the 1950’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and was the oldest of 6 kids. I attended a public school and was a member of the local Catholic Church. I was a good student, loved sports, was an altar boy, and a huge fan of Superman and the Green Bay Packers.
What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.
Being an altar boy inspired me to be a priest. My mom/ dad’s spirituality, the parish priests/ nuns, and the parish community inspired me to be an altar boy and then to attend a high school seminary.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
Being involved in research/ development of two publications that seek to unite religion and science. I think that the unity of these two areas is critical for 21st century life to flourish.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Was there a particular person who you feel gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
There was no one person, early on. So many people in my public and Catholic school life were important, along with my family. As an adult, my wife is clearly the #1 inspiration. Her role as an effective leader in Catholic school management was marked by innovation, close affiliation with all who were involved, and in our relentless pursuit of building the best possible community and organization…definitely an inspiration!
Can you share the funniest or most interesting mistake that occurred to you in the course of your career? What lesson or take away did you learn from that?
Yes. I was a religion teacher at a Catholic school and head coach of the football team. I was arguing with a ref. I was later told that the ref found out I was a religion teacher — -and he could not believe it! That really woke me up.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
As a kid, I loved stories about Jesus and Superman. But both of them had, so to speak, secret identities. They did SUPER things but never used their “powers” for their own benefit. They stood for truth and justice.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Why does that resonate with you so much? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers…a person’s priority should be God-family-and then to your given profession in life.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
The picture of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples says it all. A leader acts with love in both the greatest and the most basic situations. Leadership takes place in the biggest and the smallest moments.
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. The polarization in our country has become so extreme that families have been torn apart. Erstwhile close friends have not spoken to each other because of strong partisan differences. This is likely a huge topic, but briefly, can you share your view on how this evolved to the boiling point that it’s at now?
From my perspective, we have lost the ability to approach one another from a common, agreed upon framework for understanding. Secondly, there seems to be resistance in terms of really being open and listening to a full explanation of what is being presented. Third, there seems to be over-emphasis on how something impacts an individual, rather than how it benefits a larger group.
I have no pretensions about bridging the divide between politicians, or between partisan media outlets. But I’d love to discuss the divide that is occurring between families, co-workers, and friends. Do you feel comfortable sharing a story from your experience about how family or friends have become a bit alienated because of the partisan atmosphere? In your opinion, what can be done to bridge the divide that has occurred in families? Can you please share a story or example?
The most basic example is LGBTQI+. A person feels that gays are an abomination and their lives are sinful. But then, they discover that their own son/ daughter is gay. Only then are they actually open to hearing the true science of gender identity and realize that gender “is not a choice.” Politician Dick Cheney is a paradigm of such a situation.
How about the workplace, what can be done to bridge the partisan divide that has fractured relationships there? Can you please share a story or example?
Usually, the only way to bridge a divide is to provide the “immovable” person with someone who they deeply respect who either shares the alternative opinion and/ or who can at least verify there are, indeed, two (or more) sides exist in the situation and that neither side is “absolutely” correct.
I think one of the causes of our divide comes from the fact that many of us see a political affiliation as the primary way to self-identify. But of course, there are many other ways to self-identify. What do you think can be done to address this?
I think it is wrong to evade the political identity topic. Americans believe in free speech and the American way is to take differing views and build towards a consensus (that both sides can truly live with the agreement, not a mere 51% vs. 49% — I win/ you lose.) If you REALLY value the other person (view), you should be motivated to find commonality.
Much ink has been spilled about how social media companies and partisan media companies continue to make money off creating a split in our society. Sadly the cat is out of the bag and at least in the near term there is no turning back. Social media and partisan media have a vested interest in maintaining the divide, but as individuals none of us benefit by continuing this conflict. What can we do moving forward to not let social media divide us?
Put simply, people need to be critical thinkers. They need to listen to many opinions and truly respect the differing opinion. Sadly, when the “other side” is cast in a negative or derogatory light, critical thinking is impossible. Furthermore, when someone who is different is labeled as an adversary, an implicit barrier is established that prevents obtaining an informed opinion (i.e., bias.) Sadly, people are able to turn quick profits by enraging people and/or pretending to support people…only to abandon them shortly thereafter. Genuine caring and concern is not only the hallmark of religion…but of America’s promise that all people deserve life, liberty, and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. By definition, our nation cannot turn its back on people who are blocked from happiness.
What can we do moving forward to not let partisan media pundits divide us?
- Assume the good in people.
- Use your critical thinking skills and minimize emotional reactions.
- Seek at least 2 independent sources for verification of the so-called “facts.”
- Work for a true consensus.
Can you please share your “5 Steps That Each Of Us Can Take To Proactively Help Unite Our Country”.
1. Start by assuming that the vision and purpose of America was to be UNITED.
Story: think of how America began….many different ideas….individual states but one nation.
2. Create a logical foundation that provides parameters for being PROACTIVE.
Story: the Bill of Rights, the Constitution…see the “BIG” picture
3. Possess DIGNITY for all. Do you really care for other people? Diversity, equity, and inclusion are the hallmarks of the American vision.
Story: how America rebuilt after the revolutionary war, the Civil War, racial discord, Rodney King, etc. Are we the “united” states or the “individual” preferences?
4. Possess EMPATHY for all.
Story: Jesus and other leaders have taught that “the greatest among you is the one who is also in service to the so-called ‘least’ or ‘disadvantaged.’
5. Build HAPPINESS for EVERYONE.
America is committed to building the opportunity for EVERYONE to be able to freely pursue happiness! Think of the success stories…and the abject failures…in which our nation has sought to meet this goal.
Simply put, is there anything else we can do to ‘just be nicer to each other’?
As JFK famously said — -and we paraphrase a bit — -”Ask not what your country can do for you….but what can you do for the people of our nation. Ask not what you can take for yourself — -but what can you give to someone else…especially someone less fortunate then yourself.”
We are going through a rough period now. Are you optimistic that this issue can eventually be resolved? Can you explain?
Yes I am optimistic — humans have more potential and capability than we have ever had before. But are we committed to being people who love others as we love ourselves…or are we only interested in ME-MY-WHAT IS MINE?
If you could tell young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our society, like you, what would you tell them?
Do not consider me as an example…but consider this…no one has ever come into the world because of themselves. They needed at least two other persons to exist. That is the first rule of life! We need others to live and to survive. And the more we help others, the better chance we have to not only survive…but to flourish. Think of one word that sums it all up…TEAM-WORK.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them.
Being realistic…I would love to have an hour with MSNBC journalist Ari Melber. His insights, openness, and perspectives cover a vast array of subjects and people. He would be a perfect person to dialogue with, network with, and to build some type of enterprise for the benefit of humanity. He has a passion for TRUTH and meaningfulness.
How can our readers follow you online?
On Facebook, there is a Reimagine Jesus group. Or via email/ reimaginejesus @gmail.com. Coming soon (we hope) The Reimagine Jesus podcast.
Thanks for this opportunity./ Mike Oslance/ Director — -Re-Imagine Jesus Foundation
Putting The United Back Into The United States: Mike Oslance Of Reimagine Jesus Foundation On The 5… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.