E-Vangel Newsletter
February 4, 2013
Pastorgraphs: “Code of Silence”
A Code of
Silence is when an individual or segment of society decide to keep quiet rather
than tell the truth in confronting evil and injustice. The topic manifested
itself in several peculiar ways last week.
One news
story said the horrific string of murders in Chicago is fueled by a Code of
Silence. That is, many of the teenagers know the gang members are who killing
other teenagers. But there is an unwritten Code of Silence, enforced mostly by
fear, that enables the killings to continue.
In my own
personal prison ministry, I spoke recently with a young lady who is sitting in
a local prison on drug related charges. As I understand it, she could walk free
if she would tell authorities the names of her suppliers. So far, she is
following a Code of Silence, and will remain indefinitely in jail.
Fear of
retribution is a key factor in the Code. Fear is driving many of the major
issues we are facing, including the gun debate and the “doomsday preppers”.
That fear is what terrorists are using in places like Timbuktu, Mali, punishing
those who dare to “speak up” against their tyranny. Fear is what the Taliban
attempted to use with Malala Yousafzai, who displayed amazing courage that
almost cost her life. But as Bertrand Russell once said, “Those who fear life
are already three parts dead.”
Religion is
not exempt. Watching a TV worship service yesterday morning, I realized that
church’s whole mission is telling people how to escape the horrors of “the last
days”. The music, sermon, and even the church name conveyed a way to escape the
fear of the coming doomsday. In the sermon, the pastor gleefully recited the
litany of wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famine, pestilence and terrors to
come. However, he minimized one small phrase Jesus included in that list: “Do
not be afraid!”
Anita asked
me what Psalms 91 said. I asked her why she wanted to know. She said that Bible
reference was printed on Baltimore Ravens’ Ray Lewis shirt during last night’s
Super Bowl. So from my Bible App on my iPhone, I read to her:
5
You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
9 For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
9 For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
11 For He
will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
To guard you in all your ways.
12 They will bear you up in their hands,
That you do not strike your foot against a stone.
15
“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.”
I will be with him in trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 “With a long life I will satisfy him
And let him see My salvation.”
Taylor
Branch, who (like me) grew up in the Deep South in the 1950s and 1960s, wrote a
book on the epic moments of the Civil Rights Era. He gave a discerning analysis
of his book’s findings on CSPAN’s BookTV. During the question and answer
session, an 80-year-old white man stepped to a microphone. The old man said he
grew up in Dixie, and was a young man of about 30 when history was happening
all around him on a daily basis. He said, “I didn’t hate Blacks. But I also
didn’t DO or SAY anything against the injustice. I just remained silent.”
Confessing that he, like many of his contemporaries, were not burning crosses
or throwing epithets, just observing the Code of Silence, he made a hauntingly
honest confession. “For my silence in the face of injustice, I am so ashamed!”
When we
have the opportunity to speak the truth that shall set us free, the truth that
is more powerful than evil, may we have the courage to stand on the right side
of history, the right side of justice and kindness toward our fellow man.
Do not
waste a single day, a single moment, to fear. Do not betray Truth.
Pastor Bill
From the
Quote Garden:
“I have learned over the years that
when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear.”
~ Rosa Parks ~
REMINDER: “Integrity Academy” got off to a great start, thanks to Pastor
Owens and our friends of Exodus and Christ Churches. I estimate between 40-50
people showed up for the first of four sessions. The response was very
encouraging! The Academy will continue each of the remaining three Sundays in
February at 9:00 to 9:45. It is not too late to join us. You are invited to
attend, and learn how to begin your journey to a life of integrity, happiness
and success. Those who complete the course will receive a “Certificate of
Integrity” and The Integrity Toolkit. For details call the church office (619)
284-9205 or respond to this email.
Christ United Methodist Ministry
Center
“Christ
in the Heart of San Diego”
3295
Meade Avenue - San Diego, CA 92116 - (619) 284-9205
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