Easter Greetings / The "question" is how?
From: John Murtari (jmurtari@kids-right.org)
Date: Thu Apr 20 2000 - 15:32:01 EDT
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Good People,
If the "issue" is CIVIL RIGHTS FOR FAMILIES -- the "question" is how?
With Easter approaching, I would like to offer an explanation of what
NonViolent Action is. I will be delivering a more complete
presentation at a Conference in Ottawa, Canada, in just a few weeks
(http://www.everyman.org/ - check the calendar).
Exactly what is the "Action"? Just listen to the following from the
Sermon on the Mount. They are words you have heard before:
"But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn and offer him
the other; and if anyone would take your coat, give him your cloak
as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two
miles." (Matthew 5:39)
What is Jesus talking about as our response to injustice? So many
people see these words as a call to "quiet acceptance", but that is
not there at all. The focus is not even on forgiveness, but on
action. We are to act in a physical sense, and to act on the person
who has confronted us - How? By magnifying their action voluntarily
and bringing it on ourselves. What a revolutionary concept!
Now, expand that quote with ONE more question:
"...and if anyone should take your child, ...." What?
Perhaps the answer would have been, "then offer them your freedom as
well." In my actions I have "forced" the system to place me in custody.
http://www.kids-right.org/protest_dm.htm -- with surprising results!
Perhaps our "signature action" will become carrying a small picture
of your child and walking peacefully into a public building. We will
soon be updating the site with a "Non Violent Action Checklist".
These sacrifices help observers see the sincerity of what we have
done. They will be forced to ask and answer the question, "why has
this person done this?" Perhaps not even at that moment, but they
will examine their beliefs and our response. Does it work
immediately, not always - but we have done our duty as strongly as
possible by treating our "oppressor" with love and concern to the
point of bringing more misery on ourselves.
"Love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may
be Sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes his sun rise on
the just and on the unjust, and sends rain on the just and unjust."
(Matthew 5:44)
And, just in case, we were the ones really in the wrong - and perhaps
deserved a slap on the cheek - we just offered them the chance to give
us another, no harm done to anyone but us! A very important concept
to remember for those who think anger/violence is the answer.
Many groups out there are moving us toward the goal: letter writing,
web sites, lobbying local officals, pointing out corruption, etc..
NonViolent action is NOT expected for everyone -- some people are more
suited to it than others (I am a former Military Officer). But we must
each do our part as best we are able.
We are getting a nice response to our Visit your Member of Congress
effort, http://www.mothersday2000.org/ -- we can use some more help in
planning, if you have some time to help please email Mary Chancellor,
contact@kids-right.org
LASTLY -- a personal thought for this Easter. As I have thought about
Jesus of Nazareth (and his impact on the world), what is more amazing?
That he was the ONLY Son of God and accomplished what he did -- or for
the more skeptical among us -- that he was just a person like you and
I and accomplished what he did (without a degree or even a web site!).
As we work for our children I think we already know the "who" and the
"when": If you are not going to stand up for your children, who?
If not now, when?
Warm regards!
John Murtari
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