We are all biased in some ways. I am biased toward the state of Texas but against the government of China. I will argue for the merits of coffee, queso, bourbon, and Jesus. But I dislike beets, cheap yard equipment, and fire ants. It is natural to have a bias for some things and against others. Still, as Christian disciples we are called to something better than just living with our bias. We are called to submit it to our Lord and allow him to sift through it to see where we are right and where we are wrong in our bias. Even further, Catholic leaders are held to a higher standard (rightfully so) and should also help those that are struggling themselves with their bias.

The question we need to answer is - when does a bias turn unhealthy for a Catholic disciple? This is what we explore in this post.
 

SIGNS YOUR BIAS IS UNHEALTHY

Sign #1 - You see every opinion as an option to find an enemy or an ally. Rather than allowing an opinion (even polarizing ones) to challenge you or seeing them as an opportunity to understand where others are coming from, you feel the need to take a stand and react. This can become unhealthy, because when every opinion needs a reaction, every person behind the opinion has the potential to be an opponent or enemy. But, there is truly only one enemy, the devil.

Sign #2 - You assign every Catholic leader, group, etc into a kind of camp tht you see as good or bad. This could be political (right or left) or with a label (progressive, traditional, charismatic, etc). No matter how you assign them, they are grouped with others and you now know where they are coming from. Once you assign them a label / camp, you can either listen intently to them (if they agree with you) or dismiss them (because they disagree with you). This is toxic. You have allowed yourself to let a toxic Catholic echo chamber determine your narrow way of seeing others.

Sign #3 - You have fallen into a DIY magisterium and only listen to a select few Bishops, clergy, and lay leaders that fit your view of the Church. Maybe they speak about problems you want spoken about. Maybe they challenge things you think need to be challenged. Maybe they have the same liturgical sensibilities as you. Still, you have narrowed those who have authority over you to a select few. This may even mean that those with real spiritual authority in your life (real = authority that God has given others, not that you have assigned yourself) are ignored. Your pastor. Your Bishop. Your Pope. Nevermind those men...you have selected your own Magisterium, a DIY one. This is a dangerous place to be.

Sign #4 - You are not in the heart of the Church, but on an extreme side or the other. The poles always are the coldest place for a reason. But, to be in the heart of the Church means your own heart can remain warm and loving to others. This doesn't mean you don't take a stand on things that need to be stood up for. Rather, it means that you are resting in the heart of Catholicism. A Catholicism which isn't defined by you or I, but by God.
 

WHAT ARE WE TO DO?

So, what can we do to regain our spiritual, emotional, and communal health? Here are a few suggestions.
 

1. Truly listen to others in order to try to understand. 
2. Realize that understanding does not necessitate agreement or acceptance.
3. Do your best to treat others as you would want to be treated or even better as God would have you treat them.
4. Look for the good in others. God made them with good in them, regardless of their opinions and lifestyle. Their very being is good. Try to see this.
5. Love those that don’t deserve it. Mercy is always in need.
6. Be obedient to those who have true spiritual authority over you.
7. Try to avoid hot takes and reactions on social media.
8. Remember that there is a human being behind every opinion.
9. Forgive others and ask for forgiveness when you need to. Reconciliation takes courage.
10. Allow room for others to be imperfect, then love them anyway.
11. There are times to be silent and times to speak up. But, when we do speak up, how you state a truth may be as important as stating it. 
12. Understand when your inner peace is out of whack and why. Talk to Jesus about it in prayer. Guard your peace, because you are the custodian of it and nobody can take it away, unless you allow them to.

“What embitters the world is not excess of criticism, but an absence of self-criticism.” -GK Chesterton