Loving neighbors

Adrienne and I went to a demonstration calling for the immediate withdraw of Israeli troops from the Gaza strip and an end to the brutal attacks that by that time had already resulted in 700+ people killed with over 200 of them being children. This attack on the Palestinian people lasted 22 days and stopped in time for the inauguration of the next U.S. president. You can watch a short video we shot and put together of the demonstration here:

We should be joining with Ray Lamontagne as he sings over and over again, “how come”?

Yet, in some circles this is not the case. In this piece, I share my thoughts on some of the reasons for inactivity in regards to human rights abuse in Gaza.

My audience is to those Christians who are not crying out, “how come?”

It is my belief that Christians (those in the U.S. included) would vehemently condemn the killing of innocent people.

However, many Christians and non-Christians in other places of the world would question that idea because the sword of the United States has been connected to a Christian nation. Too many Christians in the U.S. have been supporters, passively or actively, of American war efforts, and American leaders have verbally announced that they are guided by Christian principles and “drop the bombs” without any disclaimer on the separation of the two statements. Even more, some have run with the idea that America’s wars are God’s will.

If this is you, I am sorry, but I think you are being misguided. The idea that God could be using the U.S. military to free the Iraqi people is false. Violence only begets violence. Mercy, love, and all the fruits of the Spirit are not the offspring of violence. God wants to use peacemakers to bring his freedom.

I believe that if we actually all saw the suffering, actually had a face to the recipients of our violence, then my belief that Christians would condemn war for what it is, would ring true. In saying that, war is a tricky subject. Hopefully, we can honestly and thoroughly evaluate our stances.

But back to Gaza… this Israeli attack is not as tricky.

Now the point will be made (and rightly so) that the Hamas have been firing rockets into Israel for some time (since 2001) and that Israel has a right to defend itself. I condemn, as should Israel, the rocket attacks. My argument that Christians condemn violence applies to everyone. Hamas actions and words are evil; but, who is not evil? The ways of Hamas could be redeemed. Christians in particular need to be a voice for the way that this redemption can come. The way is through fulfilling the command to love our neighbor. Israel has put harsh restrictions/controls/sanctions on the Gaza people. The conditions for the Gaza people are of such poverty and oppression that a breeding ground of violence and hatred is a logical result. However, love, in the form of aid, listening and working for the good of their neighbors is an option that stymies hate.

I would venture to say that if the occupying nation didn’t happen to be Israel, it would have been easier for many more people to join in chorus with Ray’s song.

What troubles me with this response (or lack of one) is the perverted picture of the body of Christ that is being portrayed to the world. I believe that Jesus and his disciples broke the mode that being a part of the body (a Christian) has to do with family lines. The New Testament teaches that belonging is dependant on choice. When Christians outright support (or avoid giving an opinion to) the acts recently committed by Israel, acts that Christians would in nature vehemently condemn, then they are saying the Jewish people have some special privilege. Where do they get the special privilege? It must come from the belief that the privilege that God had bestowed on the nation of Israel is still available today. If defining privilege as the opportunity to choose to trust in Jesus as the way to know God, then I would agree that it is still available. However, the privilege to kill civilians is not still available (obliviously, I hope). The mentality that the Jewish people hold a special place in God’s heart confuses the truth that Jesus came for all, Jew or Palestinian, Iraqi or American, everyone holds a special place in God’s heart. This doesn’t contradict the fact that the Jewish people were God’s chosen people or that they will have a role to play in Jesus’ promised return.

Adrienne and I saw people at the demonstration that very may have had family in Gaza. How many emotions would you be feeling if that were your loved family member? It is not blessed are the ancestors of Jacob, or blessed are those who avoid tricky subjects, but the words are, blessed are the peacemakers.