I begin this message (a general e-mail that was sent out) with a reflection on what we have seen and heard from Washington this week. In particular, we gaze upon the terrorists entering the Capitol. Now, we need to be especially attentive as people of faith. Because the vast majority of those who stormed those halls, shattering lives, shattering the things they saw, shattering the ideals of democracy: the vast majority of those people would identify as "White Christians".
An Atlantic article notes: The name of God was everywhere during Wednesday’s insurrection against the American government. The mob carried signs and flag declaring Jesus saves! and God, Guns & Guts Made America, Let’s Keep All Three. For four years, Trump has nurtured an alliance with right-wing Christianity, and with White nationalism. The two were merged on our screens this week.
What does this have to do with us? Remember that many people in our own society today have basically NO personal experience with the Christian Church. They see the posters and flags and crosses in a mob such as this, and then they hear that you and I attend church services. If we don't make it clear that we stand for something much different than that rioting mob, then folks who don't know better will put us in the same category.
So we need to make it clear: We are justice-driven. We believe in equality of all peoples of every race, culture and language, regardless of sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. We believe in peace. We support good governance. We do not idolize any human leader, raising them up to messianic status as though we needed to worship a 21st century caesar We are people of faith, but we are a long way from the mob that dared to carry Christian symbols as they marched with violence.
The world needs us to make it clear. This is not what Christianity is, this is not what we stand for. If we stay silent, it will be assumed we are the same as they. Speak. Write. Share CAREFULLY on social media.
People of faith. People of justice, peace, compassion and love.