Resistance Is Necessary

Vladimir Putin decided to bomb Ukraine on Christmas. Volodymyr Zelensky said it was done intentionally. Palestinians have attacked Israel during Passover, or because Israel has attacked Islamic people during the Haj. In America, Black pastors I know have had worship services interrupted by police.

What the #$&*, people?!! I know people and cultures are often secular today, but what the actual #$&*?! I also know that militarily, cultures are at their most vulnerable during holy days . Is nothing sacred?

There are at least two problems here. The first is that people don’t experience each other as sacred, holy, unique beings created by God, or Allah, or The Divine. Because they don’t believe in the second part of that equation (the holy part), they don’t see people and people’s lives (the first part of the equation) as being holy either.

For those of us who do have a faith, this presents a challenge. We see the world and everything in it differently — or are supposed to. Taking a human life is a big deal and should be, just as creating a human life and giving birth to it are — or should be — big deals.

Mr. Putin (or anyone) sending hundreds or thousands of troops to die says that those lives don’t have as much value as those doing the sending. That idea appalls me and, I believe, is anathema to God.

Those who don’t understand this cheapen their own sense of life. I guess that’s okay from a consistency standpoint, but it just seems really sad to me.

But here’s the thing that those people don’t get, militarily or in positions of authority, such as police invading a sanctuary: Those of us of faith are way more upset if you violate our holy spaces and holy times than we would at other times and places, because it means you’re taking advantage of us at our most vulnerable, when we’re feeling the presence of our deity the most. That will cause long-lasting anger and blame. If we were going to give up, we’re definitely not going to now.

If anger comes from hurt, then real, unforgettable anger comes from deeper hurt. Believe me, nobody wants that. This is how wars, and feuds, and long-lasting irrational behavior of all kinds comes from.

You don’t have to believe for our sake, though of course, we would prefer you do. But you have to understand that we do, and it’s important to us, no matter what country we’re in.

So here’s a handy time-proven tip: respect the faithful. Respect our God, Gods, or Goddesses. Respect our worship and respect our sacred times and sacred places.

The world will be a whole lot better for it.

Resisting With Peace,

John