Eating My Own Words on Civil Disobedience as Sacramento's Homeless are Evicted

Here's where I eat my own words on the issue of civil disobedience. My last post, which I wrote earlier today condemned those who participated in civil disobedience so that their voices would be heard on the bailouts. I maintain my previously stated opinion. I think it is wrong for people to stage dramatic demonstrations against our political leaders over tax policy. I feel this way because as a Christian I am called to not behave that way. I think it is wrong for non-Christians as well because it is immature and selfish.

Here's where I eat my words... The "residents" of Sacramento's tent city are being evicted. To me this is an injustice. These people have nowhere to go. Those who have already been removed have simply relocated and formed another tent city. The Mayor of Sacramento is initiating plans to expand the homeless services and shelters, but not before having the people forcibly removed. Those who remain are planning to participate in their own form of civil disobedience. And who are they led by? A religious leader. Her name is Sister Frenandez and she runs an organization that helps the homeless called Loaves and Fishes. She is Jesus' representative in this mess and while I know it is presumptuous to suggest that she is doing what Jesus would do, she is certainly doing what I would do. My hometown is about an hour away from Sacramento. This is clearly not my fight, I am still recovering from surgery and Pasadena to Sacramento is a long drive with a three foot brace on my leg, but I think if circumstances were different I would be there too. Still, assuming of course that these people want her help, she is their advocate and she is willing to be arrested for their cause.

So am I a hypocrite? Do I say one thing and do another? I ask that people would submit to political leaders, then when faced with the plight of the poor, I would do anything but submit. Maybe I am a hypocrite, but I think this is different. First of all let me say that the media and blogging community needs to stop pointing out the celebrity status of our political leaders. It does not disqualify them for leadership any more than it qualifies them for leadership. Secondly, I must admit that I do not know which fight is "right." It is possible that those who oppose the President's tax policies are right. He could be ruining the country by not listening to them. I simply do not know anything about these sorts of things. His policies are aimed at fixing this problem on a larger scale, but then so are the ideas of the Republican protestors. Sister Frenandez is not trying to fix the country. She just wants these people to have a safe and legal option. He fight is simpler. I understand it, and maybe that is the cause for my bias. Still, I said a few hours ago that Christians must do their best to be above civil disobedience, remaining humble and submissive. Now as this story presents itself to me, I feel compelled to civil disobedience on behalf of those who God loves, the poor and oppressed.

I do not envy the homeless, this nun, political leaders, or the police who have to remove these people whether they want to or not. Watch the story with me as it unfolds over the next few days. I am dealing with this as it is happening and I would invite you to deal with it with me.

In Response to the Recent "Tea Party" Protests

Recently, some republicans have been staging what they call "tea party" protests demanding lower taxes and less government spending. These protests seem to be an attempt at initiating a popular revolt against President Obama. You can read the LA Times article about it here.

The article basically says that while most Americans support the Presidents spending policies so far, people are more concerned with jobs than taxes. Despite this, the Republican demonstrators are protesting the recent bailouts and increased government spending. I will not pretend to know how to best fix the economy, but in my opinion it does not matter. As the economy falls apart we as individuals are responsible for our actions.

In America it is not only our right to protest bad leadership, it is our duty. American was founded by people who were revolting against their own government. This is the foundation for our country, but it is not necessarily the right way to respond to politicians we disagree with. At some of these recent protests the actions of the protesters have been peaceful, but some disturbing imagery has been used. At one event that was connected to these recent protests but was in opposition to Governor Schwarzenegger, a conservative opposed to his policies held a plastic sword that was piercing a hollow rubber Schwarzenegger head. The man said, "We need to punish him for what he's done." In my opinion Governor Schwarzenegger has been an embarrassment to California and has failed miserably at his duty as Governor. He needs our active support to fix the condition of the state, and in the places where he has failed he needs us to elect someone better. Our state needs us to elect someone better.

When your candidate does not win there is no sense in whining about it. Inciting rebellion and encouraging revolt over money is not the way to respond to leadership you disagree with. I happen to agree with President Obama's policies so far and I do not agree with Governor Schwazenegger's policies. My role as a Christian is to submit to their leadership and pray for them regardless of whether or not I agree with them. In Romans 13:1 Paul writes, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Paul is saying that everyone, and especially Christians, must submit to civil authorities because they are established by God. I am not suggesting that there are not exceptions to this rule, but I would point out that the rule for Christians is to submit.

Stereotypically the Republican party is often associated with American Christianity. I hope that those who are participating in these "Tea Parties" are Republicans, but not Christians. This is not the way Christians should respond to leadership they disagree with, especially when the concern is over money.

I am not sure where the line is to be drawn exactly for when a Christian can and cannot participate in civil disobedience. Was the resistance of the South African church during Apartheid acceptable in light of this passage? Would disobedience to Hitler in Nazi Germany have been appropriate? Was the passive resistance of Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. an acceptable action for a Christian leader? It seems to be that there is a delicate balance to being an American Christian, because in America we are encouraged to fight tyrannical leadership, but as Christians, we are called to submit in humility. For me the line will be drawn at issues of justice, not issues of the wallet. I may oppose leadership that justifies the suffering of the innocent, the denial of human rights or war, but I simply do not see any justification for this kind of behavior when the concern is taxes.

Of course this is quite un-American of me. American was founded by people who were fighting unfair taxes more than anything else. Tax policy is an important issue, but I do not think it is as important as our attitude towards our leaders. What do Christians want more, political power or to honor God with our actions? If you find yourself disagreeing with a politician, that is fine, but is the way you express your opinion honoring God or does it deny him? I find myself disagreeing with political leaders often enough, but I want to be loving and generous more than I want my voice to be heard. Do you think God is worried about our economy? I think God is worried about how we will respond to our economic situation.