Only Love Can Honor Her

In response to the anger, hatred, violence, and murder at a White Supremacist rally in Charlottesville, VA, in which Heather Heyer became a martyr for peace and love, there has been an enormous amount of anger and hatred.  Mr. Trump was criticized for saying there was blame on many sides.  Then he condemned Nazis, White Supremacists, and the KKK.  Later, he again stated that there was violence on both sides of the confrontation at the rally. 

The Nazis, White Supremacists, and KKK were responsible for the violence, anger, and hatred.  I do not believe there should be a platform for their rhetoric.  I do not believe they should be given a pulpit, park, or public place of any kind to spew their venom.  With the freedoms of speech granted in this country, however, they will be granted such platforms.  It is going to happen.  Period.  I further believe, therefore, that when they meet to spew their venom, they should not be met with violence. 

I will write that again.  These groups should not be met with violence. 

Counter-protestors gathered in Charlottesville to let these groups know that they were not welcome, that their hatred will not stand.  I am glad they did.  If such a demonstration happens near me, I will join the counter-protestors, in peaceful, prayerful protest.

From what I have read, most of the counter protestors were peaceful.  From what I have also read, some of the counter-protestors were not peaceful, and some initiated physical violence.  Violence tends to beget more violence.  Anyone who physically assaults another should expect that the violence begun will continue and grow.

In fact, violence merely increases hate.

So it goes.

Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness:   only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate:  only love can do that.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

By responding to the white supremacists with violence, people only cemented the beliefs of the white supremacists.  President Trump said there was blame for the violence on all sides.  From all I have read, and as much as I feel rather ill saying/writing it, Mr. Trump was right.  There were reportedly counter-protestors who initiated violence.  There is blame for violence on both sides. 

Saying so makes me feel rather ill.  I want to blame only the white supremacists, and doing so certainly makes me feel better for any and all ways that I have contributed to violence, anger, and hatred in my own life.  Doing so is also rather disingenuous.  I do not believe physically attacking the other is the right thing to do, no matter how much the other pisses me off. 

As a disciple of Jesus, I keep looking to his teachings and his way.  His way says to “pray for your enemies,” “bless those who curse you,” and even “love your enemies.”  Jesus’ way did not say, “punch a Nazi.”  I’d like to do so.  Part of me would like to find a Nazi and beat him near to death, but that would do no good.  I would not be innocent of violence simply because the person was a Nazi.  I would rather be guilty of violence and guilty of spreading hate…my own hate.  Hatred would remain, and even be multiplied by such an act.  Showing such a person love, however, especially from the very people he hates, just might change his heart.  Love could help drive out the hate.

By saying there is blame for the violence on both sides, Mr. Trump is correct.  I do not support Mr. Trump.  I believe he bears much of the responsibility for the violence in Charlottesville and elsewhere because of his violent rhetoric.  Through his words, he played on the very worst of our humanity in order to get himself elected President.  He used our hatred and our fears (which is not to say that everyone who voted for him did so out of hatred or fear).  He fanned the flames of racism and stoked the fires of anger, and then said we should all come together.  He can’t have it both ways.  I do not trust, believe in, or support him.  I will not, however, ignore a true statement when it is made simply because I dislike the speaker. 

There was, unfortunately violence begun on both sides, even if it was only done by a small minority of the counter-protestors.  If all of the counter-protestors had been peaceful, then the White Supremacists, the Nazis, and the KKK would not have a leg to stand on.  Unfortunately, those on the side of the counter-protestors who led with violence gave credence to the “blame on both sides” argument .  I wish the argument couldn’t be made that there was blame on both sides, but because of

the violence of a few, that argument can be made. 

If we are truly going to come together as a people of peace, then we all have to own our own violence.  That is something else that Jesus taught, that if we are going to call out the sins of another, we have to acknowledge and own our sins first.  Truth be told, none of us is innocent.  None of us can claim not to be a part of the violence all around us.  That is why I believe Jesus came to redeem all people, not just "those people over there."

What am I to do then with my anger, hatred, and desire for violence against White Supremacists, Nazis, and the KKK?  I am to offer in prayer that anger, hatred, and desire for violence to Jesus.  I am literally to pray that Jesus will enact the violence against them which I would like to enact.  Yes.  You read that right.

The reason for asking Jesus to harm those whom I would like to harm, however, is not because I believe he will do so, but rather precisely because I believe he will not do so.  Jesus, God, is the only place my anger, hatred, and desire for violence can be safely left.  Jesus is the only person who can deal with my darkness appropriately, the only person I can truly trust with my anger, hatred, and desire for violence. 

I do not believe God is going to enact terrible violence on someone simply because I’m pissed off and want him to.  Rather, God will take my anger, hatred, and desire for violence and transform my heart so that I will instead have love, compassion, and empathy.  Then, my heart will be in the right place to be able to oppose the anger, hatred, and violence of others.

This usually takes time, and it is not an easy path.  It is, however, the way of Jesus who said, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” 

When I heard about the death and martyrdom of Heather Heyer, I wanted to respond with violence.  I wanted to unleash the full torrent of my anger, hatred, and fear on anyone who could be considered guilty of the anger and hatred which led to her death.  Doing so, however, is not the way of Jesus.  As much as I want to give in to my anger, hatred, and fear, I cannot do so and also follow the way of Jesus.  When I do give in to such darkness, I have to do all in my power to make amends…which is also the way of Jesus. 

Regarding then our President and his assertion that there is blame for violence on both sides.  I don’t want to admit that he is right, because I find him reprehensible.  I don’t want to admit that he is right, but I must.  There is blame on both sides.  There was anger, hatred, and violence by at least some on both sides. 

If we are going to heal and move ahead towards peace, then we must admit to these truths.  Violence and fear towards those whom we fear brings greater violence, not peace.  Violence and anger towards those who anger us brings greater violence, not peace.  Violence and hatred toward those whom we hate brings greater violence, not peace.  We cannot drive out violence and hatred with violence and hatred.  We cannot ignore or excuse some violence and hatred and expect peace to reign.  If we truly want peace, we must denounce all violence and hatred. 

If we truly want peace, we must according to my belief in Jesus, place our anger, hatred, and desire for violence at Jesus’ feet and ask him to transform it into love, compassion, and empathy.  Only then will our hearts be ready to confront the anger, hatred, and violence of others.  Only then will we be ready to risk injury and even death for the cause of love and peace. 

Heather Heyer died for the cause of love and peace.  We cannot honor her with anger and hatred.  We cannot honor her with violence.  Only love can honor her.