The Conscientious Objector

I'm pretty sure if you found this page then you already have an understanding of how Biblical teaching coincides with accepting the realities of warfare. That is not to insinuate that all warfare is Just or even Morally Legal, it is however to stipulate that the Bible is not entirely a pacifist teaching. There are reasons that Christians should go to war, and even more directly the Bible refers to believers a 'Spiritual Warriors'. It is with that frame of mind that I'd like to address the individuals who wish to not get involved with the social unrest that is going on currently. The “conscientious objectors” to fighting for what is morally right. The people who say "I would rather not get involved", as if it provides absolution from any indirect attachment to bigots; those who should care, but won't.

I am often significantly involved in activities that in today's connotation are referred to as "social justice causes"; more often than not these are causes that deal with the underlying issues of racism and racial bias in America. It is an ugly topic that requires Americans as a whole, particularly white people, to take a look both inward and outward at the realities of being both white and non-white in this country. And, I have to admit that although realizing the level racial bias that exists in the country is depressing and disheartening for black and brown people it can be nearly equally as frustrating for white people; particularly those with a conscience. It is that frustration, especially when forced to deal with the ugly realities of our society, that often engender white people to choose to not get involved in anti-racist endeavors. The reality is that introspection is often the most painful; it of course goes without saying that all growth begins with some amount of discomfort.

I am of course giving the vast majority of individuals the benefit of the doubt by at least insinuating that it is their desire to not confront the innermost demons of society. Saying that such a choice is because they realize how awful those demons really are is not always true. It should go without saying that there is a large contingent of the population that refuses to admit that demonic forces like racial bias, bigotry and white supremacy even exist, but that topic deserves its own individual post. In the effort of providing an understanding of the outcomes of some individuals choose not to be introspective I am reminded of a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, “I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree with your methods of direct action;" who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of goodwill is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection." This quote encapsulates a reality that I have experienced up close and personal and has frustrated and bewildered me to a level I cannot express in words. Those who choose to not fight for the rights of others are inadvertently standing with those who would otherwise denigrate the marginalized.

I am regularly confused as to how individuals who identify as Christian choose to ignore the meek, the poor in spirit, those who have cried out because of social injustice for centuries. The obvious connection to the Beatitudes in the Bible notwithstanding doesn't the entirety of religious teaching force us to identify with those exact people? Aren't we as Christians mandated to be good Samaritans? Are we not called on by God to fight for those who have been systemically unable to fight for themselves? And, while I understand it is much easier to ignore the reality of things, the ubiquitous nature of cell phones has helped define our reality for what it is; there are two classes of citizens in the United States, ones who are white and ones who are or not. Choosing to ignore this problem is like choosing to ignore cancer, eventually it will consume you - ignoring it only expedites the process.