Rev. Dr. Derrick Elliott, Pastor, Sun Lakes United Church of Christ
We live in a time when people draw lines quickly. They sort, group, and divide one another by politics, culture, or even sports teams. Tribalism has always existed. People instinctively gather with those who look, think, and act like them. At its best, tribalism gives belonging and security. At its worst, it hardens hearts and turns neighbors into enemies.
Religion calls us to live differently. Scripture tells story after story of God pushing people past narrow loyalties. Abraham leaves his homeland. Ruth crosses ethnic and national boundaries to follow Naomi. Jesus tells a story where the hero is not a priest or Levite but a Samaritan, an outsider. Faith stretches us toward compassion instead of shrinking us into tribes.
Religion, however, can also turn tribal. Christians have fractured over denominations, doctrines, and disputes that overshadow the gospel’s love. When religion builds tighter boundaries, it loses its purpose. But when it opens our eyes to the humanity of others and draws us beyond comfort zones, it heals a divided world.
Tribalism thrives on fear. It whispers, “If they win, you lose.” It insists resources are scarce and warns that the other is a threat. Religion, at its best, answers with abundance. It declares, “Perfect love casts out fear.” It teaches that grace flows like a river without end, not a pie cut into smaller slices.
Faithful people face a choice: Will our religion serve our tribe or God? If it serves the tribe, it mirrors the world’s divisions. If it serves God, it calls us to reconciliation, generosity, and a wider circle of love. As a pastor, I witness both realities. Families, neighborhoods, churches, and, yes, our country fracture when tribal identity outranks faith. Yet I also see communities flourish when they choose compassion over suspicion, welcome strangers, and let their religion stretch them toward greater love.
Tribalism will remain part of our story. The pull toward “us” and “them” runs deep. Yet religion reminds us of a higher calling. It whispers that every person is a child of God. It invites us to a table set wider than our imagination. It challenges us to reflect God’s mercy in our lives. When we embrace that vision, religion does not erase tribes. It redeems them. It transforms groups defined by fear into communities defined by grace.