For they sow the wind,
and they shall reap the whirlwind.
— Hosea 8:7
The events of January 6th have rightfully shaken many of us to our core. The idea of a free and fair election is fundamental to the democratic process. The violent assault on government officials was committed with the intention to overturn the legitimate and peaceful transfer of power. This insurrection stands in stark juxtaposition to the values of the United Methodist Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As Bishop Eaton of the ELCA said, “This is not only breaking the law, but it is a threat to our democracy.” The images of neo-Nazi, confederate, white nationalist, KKK, and Christian symbols inside our nation’s Capitol is something that we will need to really “see” and not just pass over. A deliberate and inexcusable network of lies about election fraud and a “stolen election” led to a violent attempt to assault the U.S. Capitol.
Our churches are broad tents. There is a range of political views from conservative to liberal among our laity and clergy. However, the rise of conspiracy theories about widespread voter fraud, stolen elections, or QAnon rhetoric cleaves apart our churches and society with anger and calls to violence. The conspiracy theories do not represent differing political views but rather rejections of profound truths. They are destructive and sow hatred. Those lies, in their very nature, cultivate injustice that rips at the foundations of the Peace to which Christ calls us.
Words matter. That is even more true when those speaking are in high positions of power. Their words can shape the views and actions of huge swaths of not only the American people but peoples throughout this world. Lies have consequences, especially when they inflame and feed the anger of those who would turn those words into action.
As Bishop LaTrelle Easterling of the Baltimore-Washington Conference put it:
“This alarming occupation and violence at the U.S. Capitol are symptomatic of the vitriol and poison that now infects our culture. It disheartens. The rioters who climbed the steps and walls of the Capitol sought to overturn the law, a fair election, and justice, and claimed their motivation was to defend God and their freedoms. They waved banners emblazoned with the words, “Jesus Saves,” but this is not what Emmanuel came to earth to embody. This is a perversion of the Gospel. This should drive all of us to our knees.”
We are being warned that violent, armed protests are being organized across our nation in the coming week with the same goals as the January 6th insurrection. How will we respond as people of faith? How do we stand for truth and justice?
The Gospels make clear that Jesus was political. His good news challenged the systems of an empire that made the most vulnerable to suffer. He demanded care and compassion for the poor, the lost, and the needy. Jesus’ teachings are not Democratic or Republican, but they are nonetheless very political. We as a church take those teachings seriously as we debate the treatment of refugees and immigrants, the protection of our environment and our changing climate, the effects of systemic racism in our society and churches, all forms of white supremacy, the protection of others in this pandemic, and work to end poverty and hunger. We believe that in Jesus, we experience what God is like. As Jesus cares for the least of these, so does God. As Jesus resisted injustice, so does God. As Jesus showed compassion, so does God.
In his statement, Bishop Ken Carter called the movement what it is: a “cult.” Truth matters and the truth is that there is a violent strain of nationalism and conspiracy theories that have woven their way through our nation and our churches. We must speak that truth and dedicate ourselves to standing up to the hate and violence that has been sown in the wind. As Bishop Easterling said, “As a church, as Christians, we must condemn all the forces that led to the unprecedented insurrection today – forces of hate, of white supremacy, of distorted self-interest, and abuse of power.”
That is our duty and our hope. Christ calls us to be people of justice, compassion, and righteousness in this world. It is time we resist the lies, conspiracy theories, racism, and white supremacy that are being sown into the wind. On January 6th, we caught a terrifying glimpse of the whirlwind, and now we need to carefully consider how Christ calls us to respond.
Along with Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, I believe that President Trump has demonstrated that he is not fit to govern. The conspiracy theories he continues to spread are dangerous and represent a profound evil. As she said, “Our faith was misappropriated to support a white supremacist insurrection. That is not only an affront to our country’s values; that is sin.”
May God put justice on our hearts and in our mouths so that our hands might do the work of transforming this world. May we seek a Peace that can only be found with the Truth and Justice of Christ at its center.
Andrew Mails
Director, Wesley-Luther