When I see a congressman calling for killing a fellow congressperson and hearing not a peep of protest from the head of the Republicans in congress, I get somewhat anxious.
PBS NewsHour.
These same silent people tell us they are “Christians.” Really? Does a follower of Jesus remain silent when others are calling for murdering their co-workers?
What is going on here and how serious is it?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke to this reality 75 years ago. A Lutheran pastor and theologian, he stood up against Hitler, and was hanged for doing so. From prison he wrote: “We have learned a bit too late in the day that action springs not from thought but from a readiness for responsibility.”
A “readiness for responsibility”—is that missing in our so-called political leaders? Passing the buck, pretending not to hear violence– isn’t that cowardice in the face of responsibility?
Another quote attributable to Bonhoeffer is this: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
Silence in the face of evil includes silence in the face of climate change; in the face of January 6 violence; in the obscene unbalance between the superrich and ordinary workers; in dismantling voting rights. Loud are the silences emanating from politicians today.
Saint Thomas Aquinas, 750 years before speaker-wannabe McCarthy, offers advice about silence.
Nonaction is a kind of action. Omission is directly opposed to justice…because it is nonfulfillment of a good of virtue but only under the aspect of what is due, which pertains to justice.
Furthermore, “it is clear that not only those who do evil are cut off from Christ, but also those who neglect to do good.”
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Christian Mystics, p. 357.
And Matthew Fox, Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality, p. 279.
To read the transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner Image: “Citizens United by Kai.” Photo by wiredforlego; mural by Kai, on Flickr
Queries for Contemplation
Do you agree that not to act is to act? And that nonaction is a kind of action? And that sins of omission are sins against justice? And that to neglect to do good is evil? What follows from that?
11 thoughts on “Bonhoeffer & Aquinas: How Silence Feeds Evil & Becomes Evil”
There is a deeper issue, that being a collective soul fear. Those whom do courageously take a stand against injustices, whom choose to speak truth to those whom are misusing and abusing their power and authority, willingly take that first step, knowing that they will often be standing alone. They also know that they will be met with false accusations against themselves and that they will be judged, criticized, condemned and crucified.
A prophet needs to go through his or her own night on the mountain of fear, in the Garden of Gethsemane facing the fear of these things, alone in prayer, sweating tears of blood, accepting what undoubtedly will be his or her own walk of Calvary, bearing his or her own cross, for the good of the whole.
In all honesty, most people are unwilling or are unable to respond this courageously in facing and wrestling with all of these fears. It’s excruciatingly painful and there is much suffering involved in choosing to lay downs one’s life for others, as an act of love and justice. The greatest fear that has to be overcome is the fear of death itself.
Jesus, Martin Luther King Jr., Ghandi, the Apostles, and many others throughout humanities history have chosen love and justice over fear and death, doing so in faith, hope and trust that this would resurrect and birth new life, in the hearts, minds and souls of humanity, while knowing that there was no guarantee of success. These courageous souls reflect the holiness of sacrifice, the depths, widths and heights, the love of God will offer and give of Himself, within the other, whom is Himself, which we all are. This road is narrow and few choose to take up this cross.
Jeanette, You are right, those who take a stand against injustice often stand alone–I think about Matthew himself whom I watched go from Catholic priest, to being “Silenced” by Cardinal Ratzinger–(the future Pope Benedict)–for a year for speaking the truth, and then he was expelled from the Dominican Order, and finally had to seek refuge in the Episcopal Church. And then there was Thomas Aquinas who was condemned before being made a saint and Doctor of the Church and Meister Eckhart, who was condemned after he died–and even though Pope Paul II sometimes quoted Meister Eckhart, he has never officially been brought back into the church. All three of these individuals were Dominicans, all three were condemned, but the bottom line is for me is that I do not care whether they care sanctioned by the Church or not, because they do speak the truth to me and I assume to you too.
I have chosen to take up my cross by calling public speakers to the issues that you speak to Reverend. The event that I put on is called truth and freedom festival. Over 200 people came. I plan to put on one in October the 6th, anniversary of Tyndalls Death on the stake. We are planning to honor his accomplishment of translating the Bible into English and being murdered for his obedience.. I hope he gets to draw international godly speakers to what you champion. I hope this message gets to you, And that you’re miraculously available to speak.
Why I continue to shout, rant and write . . . }:- a.m.
Bless you, my brother.
In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus answers Pilate, “the reason I was born..is to testify to the truth.” As Jesus, Bonhoeffer and others have learned telling the truth can have serious consequences. Let us pray for strength to stand up for Truth.
In response to the “Query for Contemplation” today I would quote from the words of the “Penitential Act” in the Mass: “I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, IN WHAT I HAVE DONE AND IN WHAT I HAVE FAILED TO DO…”
I agree with Jeanette that the basis of silence is often fear. Those who speak up are usually vilified. I personally think that sins of omission are worse than sins of commission and arise from a basic narcissism and refusal to see what is going on. As James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” Sadly, I do not think that we should be surprised that the violence whipped up in the previous administration and fanned on Jan.6 should result in this kind of attack on a woman who speaks up. There have been overt threats against the lives of Democrats all along. I greatly admire Matthew Fox in refusing to be muzzled, despite attempts by his own church.
The common pattern of domestic abuse starts with sly aggressions of verbal insults and threats disguised as humor. These are usually blown off by other men as innocuous, and the victim is accused of being thin-skinned. Then it escalates to open verbal aggression, then threats. Finally, physical assault. When you look at the histories of terrorists, most have been domestic abusers.
When you normalize and excuse verbal abuse, you invite the perpetrator to push their aggression to the next level. If victims are accused of “being hysterical” and “overreacting,” the abuser has been given a green light to unleash his rage.
Jesus said “whatever you do to another person, you do directly to me.” I’m not sure how anyone can justify the horrific behavior we’re seeing these days. Brutality is celebrated and has become a rallying cry.
Thank you, Matthew, for your eloquent column.
Silence is violence!
Hi,
I will be publishing a book of quotes I have collected throughout my life that greatly impacted me and I had written down one as Deitrich Bonhoeffer’s, but am not sure and seek permission to include it in my book
(will be entitled, “Worthy Words.”).
I am seeking verification of accuracy and original author of the following quote:
” Not to speak is to speak – not to act is to act.”
Would this possibly fall under public domain or fair use? I want to give proper credit and would be honored to include it!
Thank you so much for any help you may bring!
Gratefully,
Linda Molyneux
molyneux.linda@yahoo.com