The University of Arizona is creating a new National Institute for Civil Discourse.  Undercover Nun finds it profoundly sad that her beloved nation needs such a center, and I hope that it will be effective in demonstrating how people who disagree with each other, who hold passionate positions, and who work in our government can work together for the good of our people without descending into the cesspit of rhetoric that passes for political discourse today.

The National Institute for Civil Discourse - a nonpartisan center for debate, research, education and policy about civility in public discourse - will open Monday in Tucson. It was created in the aftermath of the Jan. 8 shootings in the city where six people were killed and 13 injured, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.). …

One of the institute’s first events will be a conference with members of the media, foundations, academic institutions, government and corporations to discuss advancing the national conversation about civil discourse, said Meredith Hay, provost of the University of Arizona.

Although the Tucson shootings were not linked to public discourse, she said, they “created a space for us to think about civil discourse.”

I am still appalled at our Congress members’ complete lack of response to the Civility Pledge.  And I hope that we won’t give up on the discussion of civil discourse.  All lawmakers who identify as Christians should recognize that maintaining civility in public discourse is very basic to the love Jesus commands us to give to all persons.  This same love is revealed throughout the Hebrew scriptures as well, so Jewish lawmakers have no excuse, either.  Civility is a bare minimum, and yet our elected leaders cannot promise this to each other or to us.

Undercover Nun prays each day for our government, by name for those elected to represent her.  I will pray also for the work of this new Institute.