By Fr. Glenn Jones:
It’s not uncommon these days to see speakers at universities and other venues shouted down so that they can’t be heard or, “better yet”, to cancel their appearances. Nowadays we even have some calling for the repeal of the first amendment which allows free speech, or that speech should somehow be censured. Talk about a slippery slope!
Hmmm … maybe I’ll start demanding that only Christian views and ideas and practices be allowed. After all, since others don’t fit my plan and agenda, they must be silenced … forcibly if necessary. Or, I’ll burn their places of gathering, de facto reducing their ability to spread their harmful ideas—“harmful” defined as “that with which I and my BFFs disagree”. Hmmm … where might I find a rack these days? A thumbscrew or two at least?
Now, it seems that we’ve seen this movie before … countless times, and never with positive results. The trial of Socrates comes to mind, sentenced to death for teaching things outside of accepted views of the time. Christians, of course, recall persecutions—from early Rome to the persecution of “heretics” in the Dark and Middle Ages, to the internecine battles between Catholic and Protestant factions and countries all the way through the 20th Century (and maybe some even today in places). Or the ever-cited silencing of Galileo and his disproving of the geocentric theory—the “settled science” of the day.
Then, of course, there were the inter-religious wars such the Muslim conquests of the Middle East and northern Africa during early Islam, the Crusades, etc. The 20th Century and saw suppression of Christianity in Mexico and accompanying executions, Fascists under Mussolini, the Brown Shirts and death camps of Naziism, the Stalinist and Maoist purges, and countless other forcible attempts to silence opposition or contrary ideas. Today we have Antifa—“anti-fascists” ironically utilizing fascist tactics, anarchists, terrorists, etc., and the referenced above shouting-down of those against modern social ideas.
Of course, these all have their source in desire for power and control, while often many of opposing views just want to be content with minding their own business. But power can be one of the most intoxicating experiences possible for those inclined to seek it. How many wars have been fought and millions have died to advance or defend the power of a dictator? To most people, such is perplexing and unimaginable, but neither have most experienced that dangerous opportunity.
The human tendency is to lump people together into very defined categories for either praise or, more often, condemnation, whether that be a real bigotry or simply for convenience sake to further one’s own influence. The Jews were “life unworthy of life”, said Hitler. Recently we hear all blacks are this, all whites are that, all Asians are a third thing, etc. Perhaps such grouping of “others not like myself” is part of our base desire for notoriety and/or dominance—an self-advanced elitism which, underneath, has no real foundation, and certainly no merit.
Now, when we’re faced with rude challenge or silencing, a visceral reaction is to strike out in retaliation so as to get an animalistic, base satisfaction. But, O Christian, we look to Christ as our example, He who “opened not His mouth” even during His Passion, as we’ll relive in a few weeks on Good Friday. “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:6-7) Whenever we stand for good and the Godly, there will be opposition. We are reminded of a quote (mistakenly) attributed to Winston Churchill: “You have enemies? Good. That means you stood for something.”
If Christ Himself—Goodness Himself—had enemies, can his disciples expect better? In fact, no; He warns: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you … If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:17-20) Our task is to conquer with kindness, reason and reasonability.
This is part of the cross that we are called to carry. Yes, we should always try to teach and persuade, but not attack or condemn. After all, did not Jesus Himself reject violent reaction, not only at His Passion but in His teaching? “I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.“ (Matthew 5:39) And did not St. Paul teach: “ .. the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth…” (2 Timothy 2:24-26), and “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all … live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath [judgment] of God …” (Romans 12:17-8) This theme stems even from the early Old Testament: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18)
So, we, like MLK Jr., Gandhi, and Christ Himself, are called to peaceful standing for good. As they were not silent, nor should any defender of the good be silenced, but stand for that which is true and right, regardless of opposition. “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power … We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ … “ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able … to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness …” (Ephesians 6:13-18)
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.