Violence In The Name Of Religion
IN PAST WEEKS, along with reports of the stand off in Waco, Texas, and the arrests of suspects in connection with the bombing of the World Trade Center in New York, came the disturbing news of the murder of a Florida abortion doctor by an anti-abortion activist.
I expected an outright condemnation of this homicide — yet one more act of violence in the name of religion — but was very distressed instead by the reaction of the national director of Rescue America, Don Treshman, who quipped, and I quote, “While Gunn’s death is unfortunate, it’s also true that quite a number of babies lives will be saved” — a declaration that came dangerously close to a justification.
To top it all, the perpetrator of the crime repeatedly asked for his Bible, thus further linking his actions to religious beliefs. It was one more case illustrating how dangerous religion, including Christianity, can be when it is used to condone, justify, or even encourage violence.
A false Messiah
It is not hard to condemn the shootings in Waco, Texas, and to see the violence perpetrated there as a consequence of a distorted view of Christianity by a leader who claims to be the Messiah. We have been told by the Scriptures to both expect and to be wary of such “false prophets,” who would come as wolves disguised as sheep. So it is no surprise, unfortunately, to see such a group involved in violent actions.
When it comes to the bombing of the World Trade Center, people were quick to blame the Islamic religion, since — due to ignorance and prejudice — they equate “Muslim fundamentalism” with terrorism and violence. While it is true that the concept of holy war is part of the Koran, it is not its central teaching. So it is a reductionist and unfair view to focus only on that aspect of Islam. Nevertheless, some acts of violence are justified and even praised in the Islamic religion, which makes the connection between this religion and violent actions plausible (though no less condemnable).
But in the case of the murder of Dr. Gunn, I am afraid that instead of condemning the crime that was committed, some, like the head of the Rescue America group, are inclined to excuse or minimize the wrong of this shooting because “It was for the right cause,” or worse, because “It was only just, since he [Gunn] had killed so many.” To do so, of course, is both hypocritical and ironic for a group that defends the sanctity of human life. It is also tragic, because it discredits the pro-life position, distorts the message of the gospel, and gives a bad name to Christianity.
In the eyes of many, fundamentalist Christians don’t look very different from fundamentalist Muslims
— they advocate the death penalty, favor harsh punishments for criminals, and justify killing in times of war, as we saw during the war with Iraq. The message of forgiveness, of salvation, and of reconciliation central to the Christian faith is set aside in the process, and even made an object of mockery when presented alongside statements favoring war and condoning violence against those perceived to be one’s enemies.
Unfortunately, many sincere Christians still think that the non-violence stance is the appendage of the sixties or of liberals. They don’t realize, as the first Brethren did, that it is an inherent part of the message of the gospel. A gospel that justifies violence is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the gospel of the Antichrist. No matter how right violence seems, it is always wrong, and especially so when it is used to force our political or social agenda upon others.
Taking a consistent stand
It is important that The Brethren Church, which has taken a stand against abortion, also unequivocally condemn any acts of violence perpetrated against people seeking, performing, or advocating abortions. It is time for us to realize that the non-resistance position of the early Brethren is not to be looked on as a historic relic of the eighteenth century, but as the normative conduct for any Christian church that wants to be a faithful herald of the message of the gospel.
Violence is all around us and is on the increase, making the temptation
to fight violence with violence even greater. But Christians, both individually and as part of a church
community, must resist this temptation. They must hold fast to the teachings of Jesus in a world bewildered and confused by so many who proclaim to have the truth and who think they have to shout and shoot to prove it.
CHANTAL LOGAN
February, 1993
as published in THE BRETHREN EVANGELIST