Mahatma, Dietrich and Martin

As I was finishing my last posting, I saw the story on the President calling for the death penalty for members of Congress who released a video saying that US troops are obliged to disobey illegal orders.  This video did not cite specific illegal orders.  While the video seems designed to be provocative, and questionable in timing, effectiveness and motive, the President’s response is reprehensible and alarming.  Of course, he walked his comments back.  Those in the video did not.  Ostensibly, they are concerned over the continued execution of alleged drug-runners in speedboats by the US military and over the potential for a US invasion of Venezuela.  

If we see injustice, what should a Christian do?  I think Jesus was clear that we should “hunger and thirst for righteousness” especially on behalf of those who cannot stand up for themselves, “widows and orphans” in his time and place.  Does that mean Venezuelans?  What about (alleged) Venezuelan drug-runners?   

The tradition of MLK and Gandhi is revered by many as a way to live out the Sermon on the Mount, turning the other cheek, loving our enemies, rejoicing in being persecuted for righteousness’ sake.  King required everyone who marched with him to sign a pledge not to fight back against persecution, oppression or even violence they would encounter.  He reminded his followers before every protest that they must love those who persecuted them.

At the risk of making Mahatma and Martin into more than martyrs, but Saints of the Living God, I do indeed revere and honor their efforts at Justice, Peace and Love.  “An eye for an eye makes the world blind,” as Gandhi famously said.  

Americans have been taught we must fight for Democracy, stand up to tyranny, and yes, some even say, to murder a tyrant before he destroys Democracy, carries out a Holocaust and starts World War III.  The lessons of the rise of Hitler are plain, they say.  This seems to be the motivation behind the video, in my opinion.

Another 20th century martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was arrested for participating in a plot to assassinate Hitler.  Yet one can and must question whether such practices could have been effective against Hitler’s tyranny.  Was Bonhoeffer right in his calculus, that one death could save millions of lives?  He believed he would have to answer to God for attempting murder, ignoring the math entirely and giving himself no mercy.  I always have believed God would be merciful to him (though I’m glad it’s not up to me, and what the hell do I know anyway).  

Where is America in this?  Some believe we have already made the turn that every republic has to dictatorship.  Others see our president as a strong elected leader, doing what needs to be done to ensure we remain a great nation.  I come back to San Bernardino and to Christ.  Let us be of one mind, one heart, and one vision: to follow Jesus.  To me, that means loving every person and in humility, putting their needs before my own.  Every person.  That means leaving politics out of my life as much as humanly possible. 

Should I see that people are being oppressed, I feel strongly that I need to stand up for that person or group, even if it leads to my own death, in the tradition of King and Gandhi.  I think, like Bonhoeffer, I would have to be convinced that great evil is being done before I would undertake any action beyond peaceful resistance, evil well beyond the possible end of the American democracy experiment.  Every democracy in history has eventually failed.  Political parties on both sides fail to follow Jesus in different ways.  I feel certain I am missing opportunities to pursue God’s Justice (righteousness) as though I am starving and that is my bread, dying of thirst and he is my fountain of life.  I pray for the wisdom to see those opportunities and the courage to show the love of Christ.