Thursday 2 August 2018

Back to writing.


It's been a while since I’ve written a blog.  The reasons for not writing were personal; but it's time to get back to sharing a few thoughts from time to time.  This is one way that I can contribute to a just and loving world.  It’s also been therapeutic for me to write.  So, thanks for listening…

There are many things that we can do to make our world a more just and peace-filled island home.  What I can contribute are words and solidarity with those who choose to do more front-line protest.  It’s a small thing, but it is something...

While I'm not a conservative—anyone who reads this blog or knows me will attest to that!—I agree with the 18th-century Irish philosopher and parliamentarian, Edmund Burke, who said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men [sic] to do nothing."  Gandhi said similar things, as did Martin Luther King, Jr.  Anyone who has felt at odds with the dominant culture has said something to the effect that evil feeds on the complacency of ordinary people who choose to do nothing.

Do you know the name Martin Niemöller?  He was a German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran Pastor; he started off as a conservative in Germany and is a controversial figure because of his early life.  However, he chose to become involved in the Confessing Church in Germany and he deeply regretted his early views; he deeply regretted that he didn’t do enough for Jews, Socialists, Gay and Lesbian people, and others discriminated against by the Nazis; he wrote these words after World War 2,
First, they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
In many speeches Niemöller spoke a variation of the above quote; he included other groups who’d been discriminated against by the Nazis.

The point is that I’m joining my voice—at least this online voice—along with my preaching and local activism in the fight against tribalism, bigotry and fear.  I’m back to writing and if only one or two people are listening, that’s at least something!

Peace.