Subtitle: Helping my kids think critically about values, leaders, and the world they’ll shape.

Excerpt: Helping my kids think critically about values, leaders, and the world they’ll shape.

Author: Dave Hallmon

As a father, one of my deepest hopes is that my children grow up with the confidence and independence to form their beliefs. My wife and I don’t always agree on political issues, and honestly, that’s okay. We believe our differences are an opportunity to teach our children a valuable lesson: they don’t need to adopt our viewpoints. They are free to explore, question, and ultimately decide what they believe about politics, faith, and the values they hold dear.

Independence in thought, especially today, is a critical skill. We’re trying to give them the tools to evaluate information critically — such as identifying biases and considering perspectives. In the age of social media, where information is abundant and unreliable, I want them to understand that not everything they see or hear is true. They must learn to distinguish what resonates with them based on truth and integrity rather than what’s popular or expected.

Divisive Political Issues

This election season, we asked our children to examine ten major political issues that often divide people, like climate change, gun control, and healthcare. We explained each issue with as little bias as possible and then asked them to prioritize the ones that mattered most to them. For instance, climate change emerged as something they cared about deeply, so they thought about which candidate might best support that cause. Here are the issues we discussed with them:

• Abortion: Abortion involves the debate over a woman’s right to choose versus the rights of the unborn.
• Climate Change: Climate change focuses on the urgency of environmental protection and actions to reduce global warming.
• Gun Control: Gun control revolves around balancing individual rights with measures to reduce gun violence.
• Healthcare: Healthcare centers on how medical services should be funded and accessed by the public.
• Immigration: Immigration debates address border security, legal entry processes, and pathways to citizenship.
• Taxes: Tax policy determines how much individuals and businesses should contribute to fund public services.
• LGBTQ+ Rights: LGBTQ+ rights focus on legal protections and social acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Welfare and Social Programs: Welfare and social programs deal with government assistance for low-income and vulnerable populations.
• Criminal Justice Reform: The reform addresses sentencing, rehabilitation, and systemic fairness.
• Education: Education debates cover public funding, school choice, and methods to improve educational outcomes.

After they explored these issues, we encouraged them to find unbiased sources to understand where each candidate stood on their top priorities. We then asked them, “Based on what you’ve learned, who would you vote for?”

Debates Versus Other Informational Sources

We also encouraged our children to watch the debates, explaining their historical importance. In the early 1800s, 40–50% of the U.S. population didn’t know how to read, so for many, debates were one of the only ways to hear directly from candidates. My children made a good point: “You can’t always believe what you hear in a debate.” They’re right; this applies to online sources and conversations as well. I explained that spoken words in a debate might reveal what a candidate believes, giving insights beyond scripted speeches or rehearsed responses.

Election Results and Personal Reflections

As the election results were announced this morning, my children asked why I seemed sad. I explained that, as a Christian, my views don’t always align with those of our state or even some family and friends.

Here is a recent post discussing who I am, my beliefs, and my values.

A father’s dilemma
A father’s journey in guiding his son through the complexities of faith, justice, and standing up for himself.medium.com

Yes, I felt sadness about the outcome, as it seemed to reflect values different from mine. I understand that some voters prioritize specific issues, like abortion, which is critical to many. I also explained that only four presidents in history have faced significant legal matters:

1. Ulysses S. Grant (1872) — Arrested while in office for speeding in his horse-drawn carriage, though he wasn’t formally convicted.
2. Richard Nixon (1974) — Resigned due to the Watergate scandal and faced potential indictment; was later pardoned by his successor, Gerald Ford.
3. Bill Clinton (1998–1999) — Impeached by the House on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal; acquitted by the Senate.
4. Donald Trump (2023–2024) — Indicted on multiple charges after leaving office, including financial misconduct in New York, mishandling government documents, election interference, and actions related to the January 6 Capitol attack.

This morning, we learned that Donald Trump would be our nation’s 47th president. My concerns go beyond his policies and extend to what I believe are fundamental values of fairness and integrity.

Does Jesus Have Political Views?

One of my children raised a profound question: “Does Jesus have conservative or liberal political views?” It’s a nuanced answer. Jesus’ teachings reveal that He wasn’t focused on earthly politics but on spiritual principles. When confronted with politically charged questions, He often redirected the focus to higher truths, such as:

• Avoid Political Traps: Jesus focused on spiritual truths rather than getting caught up in political arguments. — Matthew 22:21
• Submit to Earthly Authorities but Recognize God’s Authority: Jesus acknowledged earthly leaders’ power, ultimately seeing it as allowed by God. — John 19:11
• God’s Kingdom Is Spiritual, Not Political: Jesus made it clear His mission was to establish a spiritual kingdom, not an earthly one. — John 18:36
• Respect the Law When Possible: Jesus paid the temple tax to avoid offending others, showing respect for existing laws. — Matthew 17:27
• Encourage Peace, Not Conflict: Jesus taught that greatness comes from humility and service, not from seeking power. — Matthew 20:26–28
• Focus on God’s Kingdom Over Earthly Power: Jesus blessed the peacemakers and encouraged kindness and humility. — Matthew 5:9

I explained that Jesus’ teachings reflect both qualities we might call “conservative” and “liberal.” He upheld moral discipline and faithfulness and showed compassion to those society rejected.

What Example Did Jesus Set for Believers?

Through Jesus’ example, I hope my children learn the balance of living with strong convictions and showing love to others. Jesus’ teachings combined conservative and liberal qualities:

1. Conservative Teachings for Believers: Jesus emphasized holiness, moral discipline, and commitment to God’s commandments.
2. Engagement with Non-Believers: Jesus showed openness and compassion toward non-believers and outcasts.
3. Balancing Truth and Grace: Jesus combined truth with grace, meeting people where they were while encouraging them to grow.
4. Invitation to Transformation: Jesus accepted people as they were, inviting them to change and develop a closer relationship with God.

These qualities show that it’s possible to honor God’s standards while engaging with compassion and grace.

Conclusion

I told my children that, yes, I am sad. But what I can do is pray — for our leaders to seek wisdom, for our country to find unity, and for my family to stand for what’s right. I pray that my family will carry forward values of kindness and justice for many generations.

Join the Conversation

As we navigate a polarized world, I encourage you to reflect on what values you’re passing on to your children. Are you teaching them to think independently and engage thoughtfully with the world? Are you open to difficult conversations about divisive issues? How can we raise children who lead with conviction and compassion in a world that needs both?

Tangled Threads
Tangled Threads explores the intricate weave of perspective, purpose, and providence through the lens of scripture…medium.com

The opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect the views or positions of my employer.

I’m a dad who blogs about the intersections of life, faith, family, and technology. These are the threads that weave through my personal and spiritual walk.