But I think Richard Sennett was referring to healthy and respectful disagreement. A willingness to keep talking and disagreeing until some consensus is reached. That kind of conflict, according to Richard Sennett is a sign of healthy community. It can lead to growth and creativity. But if all we have is conflict, we're in big trouble.
Conflict can leave people bruised and wounded and worn out.
I can tell you from experience that it is exhausting to be right all the time. We need something more to make community possible. We need something that will smooth out the rough edges and heal relationships and allow us to move ahead. One of the things the church knows about and can model for the world is the concept of forgiveness. It isn't that we do it all that well.