Silence is Golden: Really?

When my children were growing up, every time we engaged in a conversation that resulted in their boredom, they would say to me "Dad, silence is golden."  That was their way of telling me to put an end to conversation, at least for the moment.

While I fully agree that there are times when it is better to leave certain things unsaid, I also believe that there are times when issues need to be addressed.  That is especially in regard to the Church's role in society and in the world.

There have been times in history when the Church has been aligned with the "powers that be," and that because of this alignment, it has remained silent in the face of injustice.  And then there are other times that the Church has spoken out and found itself a victim of both political and social hostility.

In the class which I am presently teaching at the Tainan Theological College and Seminary in Taiwan, the issue of the role of the Church has come up several times.  Even though the focus of the class has been on Latin America, the students have been very adept at seeing how Liberation Theology is also applicable to Asia in general, and to Taiwan in particular.  The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan has played a very active role in promoting the sovereignty of Taiwan.  And, in other places of the world, the Church has risen to the occasion and raised its voice in protest against social injustice.

Today we ask, what is the role of the Church relative to the social ills of classism, colonialism, homophobia, racism, sexism, and xenophobia?  Do we hide in our cocoons while the world "goes to to pot?" 

In our country, the U.S.A. a new government will be installed at the end of the present month.  It does not take a rocket scientist to know that we are facing one of the most critical moments in U.S.A history. This is not merely a change of Presidents or government with a different political ideology.  This is the beginning of a government that will be guided and ruled by a very dangerous and demonic mindset.  We will encounter a government that is hostile to certain religious beliefs, and that is also hostile to those whose political ideology is different.  It would not be surprising at all if we witness a massive holocaust of people based on ethnicity/race, religion, sexual orientation, and country of origin.  There are many that believe that this is difficult, if not impossible, given our form of government.  Some of us suffer from historical amnesia, forgetting what happened in Germany, and what has happened in other countries, where people who are different for whatever reason, are the victims of governmental contempt.

What should be the role of Christ's Church?  As followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot subscribe to the adage that "silence is golden."  We cannot sit by and just let things happen.  As has been argued and correctly pointed out by the Scriptural and prophetic witness, silence is another form of complicity.  Doing nothing about injustice is another way of letter it fester and en fin, contributing to it.  Is silence golden?  Hell no! The voices of protest need to be heard, and we must learn how to pray with our legs.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Rev. Dr. Juan A. Carmona