Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Irreverin

Home
Progressive Christian
What Faith and Freedom Demand

What Faith and Freedom Demand

Last updated on: November 19, 2015 at 4:14 pm by Erin Wathen

What Faith and Freedom Demand 2015-11-19T16:14:02-07:00 Erin Wathen

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I had no idea…

I had no idea that so many people were total experts on the Middle East and U.S. Foreign Policy. I had no idea that so many people have such a profound grasp on the complexities of MILLENNIA of religious strife, extreme poverty, harsh climate and tyrannical, extremist politics. But a quick scan of the newsfeed–not to mention the comments section of any given article on the internet–assures me that, in fact, PLENTY of people know. all. about it.

Trouble is, their commentary is laced with equal parts Fox News and Revelations, not necessarily in that order. And it’s hard to tell where, exactly, they got their education on global affairs and the on-going fight against terrorism.

(Dropping the sarcasm font in 3, 2, 1…)

Of course, I know, and you know that those spouting xenophobic, anti-Muslim rhetoric are not ACTUALLY versed in foreign policy. Nor do I claim to be. I do, however, know misplaced anxiety and carefully constructed fear-mongering when I hear it. And these last few days, we’ve been hearing it everywhere.

I know it’s scary out there, folks. I know it is heartbreaking, unthinkable darkness at every turn. And I know that, as a country, we are all sharing a little collective PTSD as we view these horrific images from Paris. How can we not? It is a story we lived just over a decade ago. It changed us forever.

I know it is heavy. But I also know this: news anchors and politicians absolutely make their living by jumping on our anxious train, and riding it all the way to the ratings and re-election station. You know I’m right.

Listen– please breathe. Step away from the comments section. And please do not believe these otherwise-sane-sounding people who say that all Syrians are terrorists, that all Muslims are suicide bombers, that all their children are just extremists-in-training, and that they are coming for you and your babies this very night. If you look up “propaganda” in the dictionary, this climate of fear and foaming-at-the-mouth outrage is the only picture you need in definition.

I’ve shared my thoughts (ok rants) before about the many ways Americans confuse the Constitution with scripture; religion with nationalism; and faith with “freedom.” But the truth is, either way–EITHER WAY–whether you worship God or country, this much is for sure: you have to welcome refugees. Whether you follow Jesus or George W (Washington or Bush, that is), you are compelled by that which you hold most dear to take in those who flee persecution.

(I realize that elements of faith and freedom are not mutually exclusive–go with me towards a larger point here, thanks).

If you are a Christian, you cannot deny that Jesus says “Let the children come to me.” How quickly have we forgotten, that searing, convicting image of the tiny boy, facedown and dead on a Turkish beach?

If you are a freedom-loving American, you cannot deny that “give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” is a significant part of our national identity. Embodied by a gift that was GIVEN TO US BY FRANCE. Remember…remember that this is who we are to the rest of the world. A safe port of liberty and hope and progress, in a sea of chaos. It is who we’ve always been… but it is certainly not what we’re becoming.

If you are a Christian, you cannot deny that Jesus says (more than once, depending on which gospel you consult) “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Not “blessed is he with the biggest damn weapon of mass destruction, bitches!!”

And if you are a disciple of the U.S. Constitution, you cannot fail to acknowledge that we are nation founded on religious freedom and protection from tyranny. Most Syrian refugees are fleeing persecution because they do not want to be religious terrorists.

I could go on, but I won’t. Because you either get it or you don’t. You’re either nodding in solidarity, or you are consulting Revelations and/or Fox News for a counter-argument. Whichever, I’m tired.

I’m also right.

Not “right” in the sense that I know how to fix all this madness, because I don’t. But I’m confident in this truth: that our faith AND our freedom compel us to share with those who have neither faith nor freedom. You will find plenty of people who will tell you otherwise, and you may be able to quote them chapter and verse. But I am choosing, today, whom I will serve…

I serve a God who says, again and again, “do not be afraid…” Yes, God wants us to trust in divine guidance and protection–but, let’s face it, that supernatural force field seems arbitrary, on a good day. What’s more to the point is this: God does not want us to be afraid, because living fearfully makes us act like assholes. It takes away our humanity, and our ability to respond in a human fashion to that which threatens us.

Knowing the state of the world as we do, saying “don’t be afraid” seems trite. Misled. Naive, even. Of course we are afraid. We are terrified. There is an evil superstorm gathering force all around us. But our own fear is the greater, more present enemy. Especially if it holds captive our most basic impulse of mercy. Especially if it overshadows everything that faith and/or a life of liberty have taught us about the value of human life. Our fear is actually FEEDING the rampant spread of violence. Like Death Eaters to a feast of ill-informed rage… We may fear a faceless man in a turban, wielding an automatic weapon… But I’m telling you, our fear is already holding us hostage.

God knows, we are human, and sometimes we are afraid. It’s evolution. But God calls us not to RESPOND out of fear. Letting fear drive our response to human suffering is about as faithless and un-American a thing as I can imagine.

I don’t know what the answer is. At this point, I’m just trying to ask the right questions. For now, I can only pray that all this hateful, government-sanctioned ugliness does one thing: I pray that it motivates people of good faith and good sense to stand up and say, ‘our hearts are broken and our doors are open. We will not turn you away by the thousand on the off-chance that some small few of you might be the bad guys. We will trust that our goodwill–as shaped by church and/or country–has the power to transform some dark corner of the world. And maybe even bring light to the dark corner of our collective soul, where we rush to hoard all this goodness for ourselves.’

I hope you will join me in that prayer. In the meantime, here are some things you might want to read–some to restore your faith in humanity; and some to share with those who seem to have lost theirs lately…

-Some insight re: the extensive vetting process that refugees must go through upon entry to the U.S.

-Images of where refugee children sleep… Lord have mercy, this one will tear your heart out.

–The Islamic State Wants You to Hate Refugees.. Please, share this one with everyone you know. It’s important.

-A word about how, yeah, U.S. Governors actually don’t have the power to refuse refugees… but way to pander to the fearful huddled masses in your voter base.

-And finally–the one that had me crying into my coffee in a public place this morning–a conversation between a father and a young boy, outside one of the bombing sites in Paris. “They have guns. We have flowers.”

They have guns. We have flowers. Yes. And freedom. And faith that there is room enough for everyone, out here in the open air.

progressive christianity

syrian refugee crisis

terrorism

Previous Post

November 11, 2015

Liberals Love America Too

Next Post

November 24, 2015 Room at the Table: 7 Perks of Welcoming Refugees

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category a good week for progress Advent and Christmas Being a Person desert life faith and community Good News for Progressives Lent and Easter Marriage and Family S*^! Jesus Says sabbatical road tripping Spirituality in Culture Talking to Strangers the "Best Stuff I Ever Ate" diet travel Uncategorized writing Writing Prompt Wednesday

Select a Month January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 February 2011 July 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Proverbs 22:6 say about training a child?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Teach a child discipline, and he will live in wisdom. Guide the young, and they will not stumble. Children should be seen and not heard.