"Wisconsin." Only two months ago, this word would probably conger up images of people with foam wedges of chedder cheese on their heads, celebrating the glorious run to victory of the World Champion Green Bay Packers. Now, only a short time later, the word, "Wisconsin," evokes a different image. People screaming, looks of rage and hatred on their faces. These aren't Packer fans at a Bear's game, these are teachers and other protestors in Madison, enranged by legislation being considered and enacted, directly related to a shift in political power from Democratics to Republicans in the last election.
The specifics of issues such as a massive budget crisis, public employee unions, collective bargaining and all the rest, are quite complex. Like most key legislation issues, with close examination of what is being debated, you can make a persuasive case from many different perspectives. And though this is about many different public employees, what is happeing in Wisconsin is centered on teachers.
Looking at all the details, you hear about issues of fairness, contracts being broken, budget cuts, layoffs, union dues, state public employee unions that are not represented at the federal level, and such. In the bigger picture view a simple explanation suffices. There has recently been a substantial shift of power from one party (Democratic) to the other (Republican) on the Wisconsin political landscape. This has resulted in legislation that addresses these important issues in a very different way, from the way legislation was enacted by people of the other party when they held the political advantage.
As usual, a reasonable person can make a case for the legislation that is being enacted, and a reasonable person can make a case against it. Such is almost always the way in our system of government. I am not going to focus on the merits of what is being debated. however, but rather wish to focus on the specific acts of protest themselves. A protest that we had seen daily on the national news. I will comment on protest, the bahavior of those protesting, and how this relates to being a follower of Jesus in the public square.
What does all of have to do with following Jesus? This blog deals with many different topics on being a follower of Jesus and living out your faith, in particular in the public square. I could talk about protests in general in other places by other people, but I am not. I'm talking about this particular situation.
You see, 85% of the people of Wisconsin identify themselves as, "Christian", and so, naturally, I am assuming that most of the protestors would identify as "Christans". Considering that less than 1% of Wisconsinites (yes, that's the proper name for it) have any other religious affiliation, I assume the protestors vastly identify as "Christans" with some secular people sprinkled in. As a Christian Bible teacher, I am interested in these events from that perspective. After all, this is the subtext of my blog, How To Be A Christian Without Being A Jerk. It's all about how we can best live as followers of Jesus in the public square. Also, I will admit, my interests are personal. I have substantial experience at many levels that form my thinking on these events..What follows are the filters through which I am looking.
Obviously I am looking at this from the standpoint of being a Christian. Interesting that 55% of the 85% of the people of Wisconsin who identify as "Christian," come from "Protestant" churches. This very label seems to indicate that "we" (I come out of the "Lutheran" tribe of "Protestants") are not unaware of the use of protest.
I resonate to what is going on for another reason. I am from Wisconsin. Racine, specifically, born and raised, I also happen to be a credentialed teacher (one of my undergrad majors is Secondary Education and I was credentialed in Wisconsin, lapsed, I am sure, after over 30 years!). Over the years, I have been involved both in teaching and administration of a private Christan school, preschool-8th grade. More recently, Nancy and I have been involved in public school work at the high school our children attended. I am married to a school teacher for almost 25 years, and we are the parents of a soon-to-be school teacher, who will get her credential and Masters in Mathematics, a couple of years from now.
So, here's a disclaimer: I have an internal bias toward teachers being treated fairly (yes, I know, like everyone else). I have seen how most teachers work their tails off (yes, I know, like many other professions who work their tails off), giving way more of their lives than simply 8-4, or whatever the on-campus requirement. And, yes, I know, like many other jobs, I don't think the renumeration for teachers reflects adequetely the output so many of them have, as positive influencers in society.
I even have some insider insight into Wisconsin politics over the years, as my best friend back there, is the former chairman of the Democratic Party. With all of this in mind, let's get to the core of the matter.
I think the behavior of many of my brothers and sisters in Christ in this present situation is not a helpful witness for the life lifted up in the New Testament.
I think there are many teachers who aren't thinking through how crucial "imitation" is as a learning tool, along with "information."
What lesson are students learning about working out conflict and how to behave with those with whom you strongly disagree?
What is the lesson students are learning when they see the actions of so many of the protestors? Especially the lesson that is the answer to this question:
"What do you do when you don't get your way?"
It's not about their cause, which I think in many ways is, indeed, compelling, it's about their pubic witness. When I watch the protests, when I listen to what is being said, and I realize that many of those involved are my brothers and sisters in Christ, I am saddened by what I recognize as a radical disconnect with the life of a follower of Jesus.
Try this. Think of the protestors, many of them not only teachers, but Christians, and then ask yourself these questions, only from the perspective of someone who knows nothing of the ways of Jesus.
- How does a follower of Jesus act when they strongly disagree with someone else?
- How does a follower of Jesus act when they think they are being treated unfairly?
- How does a follower of Jesus act when they don't get their way?
Look at what is going on in Wisconsin, and then compare it to the life described below, in Paul's Letter to the Romans..
Romans 12:9-21 (New Living Translation)
9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
“I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,”
says the Lord
20 Instead,
“If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads.”
21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Now, consider this. The most common strategies used today by unions, community organizers, both political parties, etc, are greatly influenced by the writings of Saul Alinsky, in particular, Rules for Radicals. That's life according to"Saul," not "Saul," later known as, "Paul." You may not have heard of Saul Alinsky, but you will definitely recognize his "game plan" being worked out. Tell me if these examples sound familiar, and then look at the following Jesus alternative, from above.
RULE 5: "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon." There is no defense. It's irrational. It's infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.
(Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10)
RULE 12: "Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it." Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
(Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Romans 12:18)
Does all of this mean, you can't take a stand in society, protesting what you consider injustice? Does this mean there is no room for dissent? "No," and "No."
It's not about protest, it's about how you protest.
Is being rageful, lashing out against those with whom you disagree, and casting those you consider your enemy in the most disparaging light possible, is this ever lifegiving behavior for a follower of Jesus?
Never.
So then, is all of this Jesus stuff just a naiive fairly tale way of living, completely irrelevant to the "real" world? Hardly.
Consider, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
His leadership was influential in bringing about radical change in America, as well as other places around the world. Dr. King specifically called much of "White America" to repentance, calling those who identified as "Christians," back to Jesus. Dr. King did this in such a way that the emphasis was on the good that will come about working together. He did it in a way that focused on the benefit for everyone.
Read some of his writings. About as gracious as you can get concerning those who oppose him. While he would strongly disagree, you see how he treated even the most hate-filled people, with dignity..
Listen to some of his speeches and watch film clips of some of his protests. Overwhelmingly inspiring, rather than confrontational and demeaning of those who bitterly oppose him. Listen to the tone of his voice and look at the expressions on his face. You see determination. You see respect.You see peace. What you don't see is a hint of rage, hatred, or contempt.
All and all, Dr. King's strategy, born out of the New Testament community, appears to work...And why wouldn't it work?
Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Romans 12:17
Even if your opponent isn't honorable.
Even if you think you will just die if you don't get your way.
