BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS

My young colleague Rev. David Lindsay stated it most succinctly: “No matter where one stands on the issue of the Flag, the issue is NOT the Flag.”

This is, indeed, the painful underlying truth to the current controversy. The Battle Flag is a festering symptom, a momentary flare-up that will subside for a while only to rage again at the next flashpoint that erupts. The Flag will sooner or later come down, but the bitterness, disunity, mutual distrust, and enmity between the races will remain – latent, dormant – but they will remain.

What, then, is the antidote? Shall we ignore the symptoms and refrain from treating them? No, repeated treatment of the symptoms is imperative, for the symptoms unchecked can themselves become fatal, while a respite from the symptoms can sometimes afford the body the impetus for true healing. We dare not ignore the symptoms.

Should we even contemplate curing the underlying disease of disunity, distrust, and mean-spiritedness? Perhaps only a Messiah-King can galvanize the world to truly unifying ideals and purposes. That is certainly worth our prayers, whatever idiom we choose.

A more realistic aspiration is for peacemaking to be made manifest by creating avenues of dialogue, replacing “talking at” people with “talking with” them, and discovering a human face on people we thoughtlessly denigrate into our “enemy.” Our ultimate objective may not be to get adversaries to agree on each issue, but to disagree with mutual understanding, civil rhetoric, and respect for the humanity and integrity of those whom we oppose.

God knows I am no disciple of Rev. Jerry Falwell. But, in large measure our prototype and inspiration might come from the recent dialogue between Rev. Falwell and representatives of the gay and lesbian community. Each side maintained its position with dignity and integrity, pledged to bring new civility and respect to their points of contention, honor the humanity of the other side, and even apologize for intemperate rhetoric and vilification.

Note that neither the objective nor result of the dialogue was consensus. It was reconciliation – dialogue with a mutual commitment to validating the transcendent image of God in which even our adversaries are created. Was that a “major” victory? You be the judge. From where I sit, it was a huge victory.

We of the Upstate should take heart: The voice of our community is more and more insistently calling on our clergy to step forward and assert their unparalleled moral authority as peacemakers, bridge-builders, and reconcilers. Yes, too many of our clergy colleagues have been conspicuously silent on the issue of the Flag. Others have distinguished themselves by being bold advocates on the issue in a manner that would make Elijah, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and (dare this rabbi say?) Jesus proud.

But, we reverend clergy who purport to walk in the footsteps of the Prophets need now press the equally compelling Prophetic agenda of peacemaking and reconciliation: “Come now, let us reason together.” “Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us all? Why then deal treacherously with one another?” Our clergy of all denominations and creeds have the singular persuasive capacities, integrity, credibility, and stature to bring warring factions together at a table of goodwill. We are capable of being catalysts for a new level of civility, mutual understanding, and even cooperative effort, which can emerge only from appreciating the basic humanity of our heretofore “enemies.”

The community should be pleased that a modest but significant effort is already underway. Twenty clergy-people of diverse denominations, racial origin, and theological persuasion have recently united as a coalition on racial reconciliation. We are charting a course of prompt action and have resolved not to be “just another organization with monthly meetings.” Most heartening is that a number of highly regarded and busy clergy-people in the Upstate are dedicating extraordinary time and energy to this vital endeavor. And we have every reason to believe that 20 will soon become 40, and then some.

No one, not even indifferent bystanders, can walk away from the Flag issue without being sullied by the mud that has been pitched with rancor, distrust, even hatred, in both directions. It is never too soon, nor too late, for the healing to begin. Consensus may be beyond immediate expectation. But, reconciliation is a goal, however idealistic, that is imminently attainable. And let everyone, regardless of persuasion, keep well in mind that the Jewish carpenter who went on to become the Great Redeemer bestowed many blessings, but he reserved the accolade “Children of God” exclusively for those who are the makers of peace.