Time to Stop Uncivil Behavior

Written by D. Max Whitfield Thursday, 08 April 2010 16:10

How do you respond to those who insult you, persecute you and say all kind of evil against you? Jesus addressed this in what we call the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said you are blessed, happy when such happens to you. Instead of striking back with violence and disrespect, you respond with love and concern for those who wish you harm.

I am deeply concerned about the lack of civility that is spreading across this country. Opponents interrupt public speeches with shouts of disagreement, or worse, name-calling. I was shocked when a United States Representative shouted out “Baby Killer” during a speech of one of his colleagues on the floor of the United States House of Representatives. He later apologized that he was not calling his colleague a baby killer, but was referring to a recently adopted piece of legislation, as if this excused his disrespectful, uncivil behavior. 

Even worse, at least from my perspective, was a group of individuals who had gathered to support the adoption of legislation in Washington. They saw a U.S. Representative coming toward them. They shouted out racial slurs and when he was nearby, spit on him. 

My parents taught me as a small child this type of behavior was unacceptable. I even experienced some personal discomfort, that I still remember when I chose to violate that standard. They ingrained within me that it was acceptable to disagree with others, but I was to treat all people with dignity and respect. I was to love them the way Jesus loved them. I was to treat them as I thought Jesus would treat them.

The interesting part of the saga about the latter U.S. Representative was his reaction to the slurs and spitting. He walked on. He did not spit upon them, call them names, or strike out in violence. This experience occurred to Representative Emanuel Cleaver, who serves in the House of Representatives from Missouri and is a United Methodist clergyperson. He responded in a way similar to our Lord and Savior during the events surrounding Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. He saw the out of control, uncivil gathering as individuals loved by God, individuals for whom Christ died to save.

Easter invites and calls us to receive the new life that God offers to us in Jesus Christ. It is not an improved life moving toward self-improvement and self-development. The scripture describes this transformed life as rebirth. The old person died and a new person grounded in Jesus Christ is born. It is a life where we reflect the very life and presence of Jesus Christ.

What disappoints me is seeing this lack of civility reflected in the behavior of members of the Church and in my own life. Instead of being a beacon in the world, we reflect society’s lack of dignity and respect. We have begun to live as if we are the only ones who hold the truth and are justified to take any actions that reveal our perspective. We allow the glow of Easter to vanish in a few short hours, forgetting that Jesus died to save the sinner. Jesus came to transform life.  Jesus came to make us new creatures.

I invite you to join me in declaring that racial slurs, childish behavior and uncivil conduct must cease. We will lovingly, but directly, confront such behavior and declare that for followers of Jesus Christ such behavior has never been and will not ever be acceptable in our churches, our homes, our community and our nation. We will live as disciples of Jesus Christ. We are Easter People who believe in the dignity and value of every person. Jesus loved them and us enough to die for them. The least we can do is show respect for one another.

Grace & Peace,

D. Max Whitfield