Reject Violence
It has been an upsetting month for all of us. Even for one who has served as a pastor for 37 years, a bishop for 18 of them, and is enjoying serving in Fayette County now, it’s difficult to write about these things. Yet we must.
An American citizen, husband, and father of two young children was gunned down at a public event – the gruesome act caught on video and played over and over on social media.
We know this is just the latest in a string of politically motivated acts of violence. Minnesota Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home, by a man dressed as a police officer. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home was attacked with Molotov cocktails. Two Israeli Embassy workers were killed in Washington D.C. The list goes on. The escalation feels palpable.
People of all faith traditions should reject political violence. Most do. Those of the Christian faith have particular perspective here, because our Messiah was publicly and violently executed. We follow one who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” We follow one who said, “You have heard it said, ’Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” He called us to a different way of engaging those with whom we differ – even those who wish us harm. It is not an easy way. He never said it would be.
As divisive political rhetoric increases in society, so does political violence. Hateful thoughts lead to hate speech, which leads to hateful actions. Hateful acts lead to more hateful acts in a never ending cycle of violence. Someone has to break the cycle.
Peace begins at the dinner table, at home, with what we teach our children, with how we talk about those who differ from us. Our ideas become words and words become actions.
Jesus did not teach his followers to avoid difficult conversations. He frequently sat across the table in the homes of those with whom he disagreed – scribes, Pharisees, tax collectors, and sinners. He ate with Zaccheus and Simon, two people on opposite sides of the political and religious spectrum. People of every viewpoint can do the same.
In Ephesians 4, Paul counsels people to speak the truth in love and to bear with one another in love, making every possible effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. He encourages us to engage all people, even opponents with humility and kindness. We must learn this way.
Our future depends on it.
The good news is we can learn this way of truth and love. With commitment and intentionality, a tiny seed goes a long way. Kindness and humility are as contagious as extremism, maybe more so. It begins at home. It begins with us. It begins now.