KN Essays

"Responding to Violence" By Kevin Rains Kingdom Now Member and Overseer, Vineyard Central Housechurch Network This article originally appeared in XRAY Magazine, an alternative paper based in Cincinnati Click Here for a printable version in MS Word format 1 January 2002 "Growing up and living most of my life in middle class suburbia, USA, I've been shielded from violence that large portions of the world routinely experience. That sense of security melted for me and I'm sure many others on September 11. My around-the-world journey began less than 2 weeks after the September 11th tragedy. Of course family and friends warned me not to go; warnings I took seriously but eventually decided against. From beginning to end on this trip I was confronted with the violence most of the world routinely faces. Like many Americans after September 11, I was discovering what vulnerability felt like. My first wake-up call came in New York, the first stop. With the long layover I hoped to get out and see the city. Not a chance. Armed guards were going through opened luggage everywhere. Bullet proof vested security guards with "US Marshal" written boldly across the back wandered the airport. Security check lines seemed to have no end. I was told where to sit during my layover and had to show my passport if I wanted to use the phone or restroom. Getting out of the airport wasn't even an option. A week later when I arrived in India my host told me about a stabbing attack less than a week old. It happened right outside the bank in conjunction with a robbery. This is where I attempted (unsuccessfully) to exchange American dollars for Indian Rupees only an hour before. I remember wondering why there were a dozen armed guards at the bank. Now I knew. I also heard that 3 high ranking government officials died mysteriously in less than a year. Locally, this was cause for great suspicion and many were blaming Hindu fundamentalists. No one was quite sure. The day I arrived in India was a day of mourning for these deaths. The day I left labor strikes for these deaths were in full swing. I had to negotiate past several unofficial checkpoints. The check points, though crude, were intimidating and effective. Local towns people would simply put logs and rocks across the dirt road to block traffic with lots of angry young men carrying sticks. Tension was thick especially at our first checkpoint where I was surrounded by a large crowd. Eventually, I was allowed through. After leaving India I arrived in Egypt on the day the US decided to bomb Afghanistan. I watched in horror from my hostel as the BBC reported the attacks. Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country (some estimate as high as 90%). On the streets I felt very safe and welcomed. When I called the embassy I was warned to stay out of public places. Most Americans living in Egypt didn't send their kids to school for several days while the bombings were initiated. Reminders of the profound lack of peace in our world littered the journey. And I realized, I'm a spoiled brat. Most countries live with threats on their life everyday. For a brief time I experienced a small sample of what it feels like to be vulnerable and surrounded by violence. In previous columns I haven't hidden the fact that I'm a follower of Christ. I also haven't hidden the fact that many who claim the same are an embarrassment to me. This "War on Terror" has only increased the embarrassment and at times even heightened it to a frustration that borders on anger with regard to the "War." While I want justice to prevail against attacks like the September 11 tragedy, I do not believe using violence is a Christian response nor will it accomplish the end we seek - peace and justice. I've heard several very visible people who claim to be Christians (including President Bush) say that violence is justified and they want Osama "dead or alive." How can this be a Christian response when Jesus said, "Love your enemies... and pray for those who harm you"? His first followers built on this theme with sayings like, "Do not return evil for evil..." and "Do not take revenge but leave room for God's wrath." Let me say again: I want justice. I don't think we should passively roll over and just "take it." I believe that taking action is appropriate. My action as I understand it from Scripture is to pray for my enemies, pray for the government, pray for peace, actively love those who seek my harm, and engage in creative non-violent responses that demonstrate I will not be intimidated by acts of terror. Jesus did this. Gandhi did this. Martin Luther King did this. This can be done. Only God is qualified to bring justice by taking a life. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil... as far as it depends on you live at peace with everyone... do not take revenge but leave room for God's wrath for it is written, 'It is mine to avenge. I will repay' says the Lord." My action and God's action are distinctly different. By engaging in or supporting violence including so called "just wars" I fall outside the parameters of my role. There's so much more to say on this topic. There's twice as much to do. If you'd like to be a part of a study/action group to explore non-violent responses please email me at the address below. Peace to you, Kevin kevin@vineyardcentral.com