[vc_row el_class=”olive-branch-bg-r”][vc_column][vc_column_text]A special and timely message from Raven Foundation Co-Founder Suzanne Ross:<\/p>\n

My fellow Christians, don\u2019t fall for it. Even though we are right to be appalled by President Trump\u2019s use of unprovoked violence against peaceful protestors in Lafayette Park. Even though we are dismayed to learn that it was to create a fearful soundtrack for his Rose Garden appearance. And even though we are justified in denouncing his symbolical photo op clutching a bible as if he is a messenger sent by God to save us, he has set a trap for us that we mustn\u2019t fall into.<\/p>\n

We get it. We know he\u2019s sending a message to his followers: \u201cThe lawlessness and violence in the streets is frightening but you can trust me to protect you.\u201d No doubt many Christians will never learn that he stage-managed the event. They trust his version of events and believe his message because their faith in the divine purpose of Trump\u2019s presidency has been motivating their support of him all along.<\/p>\n

But be assured that he also knew how Christians who have opposed his presidency from the beginning would hear that message. Because many of us watched him hold that bible aloft and heard a blasphemous, wordless sermon of God\u2019s support of white supremacy, gender supremacy, hetero-supremacy, the supremacy of violence over mercy, and the unity of God\u2019s will with his presidency.<\/p>\n

Please be advised that he wants to provoke his opponents into responding reactively, to feel justified in our condemnation of his Christian supporters. He wants us to be so angry that the differences between us becomes obscured. If we become angry, self-righteous and refuse to listen with open hearts to one another, then we who oppose him have discredited ourselves by becoming his mirror image.<\/p>\n

Look, there are plenty of good theological arguments to made against this man and his supporters, arguments we have made here<\/a>, here<\/a> and here<\/a> at Raven about God\u2019s mercy, love and compassion for the oppressed and marginalized.<\/p>\n

And we will continue to make those arguments. But here\u2019s what we must guard against now: we must not become so angry that we are unable to be peaceable with our fellow Christians. We must not let this president provoke us into failing to practice the love and mercy we say we want in ourselves, in Trump\u2019s supporters and in our political leaders.<\/p>\n

How do Christians who support Trump and who oppose him remain merciful toward one another in the midst of such cynical provocation? I\u2019d like to offer the\u00a0values that guide us here at Raven<\/a><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0in humility and hope. Because we won\u2019t breathe easily until we find a way to love one another through these difficult times.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section el_class=”post-quote”][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1566306295282{background-image: url(https:\/\/ravenfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/0c0caab3a0b06f49d1f4e4069f7acecc-e1562958862845.jpg?id=19638) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”quote”]…here\u2019s what we must guard against now: we must not become so angry that we are unable to be peaceable with our fellow Christians.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Pause<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]In the midst of any provocation, we recognize that peace begins with a pause. When so many are being deprived of their right to breathe, we can take a first step away toward peace by breathing deeply in their memory.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_single_image image=”19977″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Own It<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]When we are provoked, outraged, or in grief, we instinctively look for someone to blame. But a good use of the Pause is to engage in a little self-examination. It\u2019s too easy for me to blame Trump or his Christian supporters for the crisis facing our nation today. What effect do I have when I say that I\u2019m not that kind<\/em> of Christian? Am I contributing to a broken church that wounds rather than heals?[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”19983″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Forgive and Restore<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_single_image image=”19984″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]That\u2019s painful to think about and admit to. Can I forgive myself when I fall short of my best self? God does! God\u2019s forgiveness is available to all of us even before we confess, an astounding demonstration of His mercy and love. When we can accept God\u2019s forgiveness for ourselves, we become able to extend it to others.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1566393555121{background-color: #f6ebdf !important;}” el_class=”optin”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Practice Hospitality<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_single_image image=”19976″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Our friends at the Metta Center for Nonviolence<\/a> who train people in nonviolent action observed that in the midst of social unrest, police violence, looting and violent demonstrations, arguments for nonviolence can become a bit overheated! Their advice<\/a> is to practice hospitality:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to get into ideological arguments about nonviolence right now\u2026\u00a0[And I\u2019d add, try not to get into theological arguments, either.]\u00a0This is a time to be sensitive and engaged. Empathize instead. Show people that you care about them and that your caring extends far and wide. Listen to people. You are a force for peace. Know that. Be that.\u201d<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Speak Into Real Life<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The United States is in the midst of a crisis with multiple, intersecting causes: racism, Christian nationalism, hyper-partisanship, the Covid-19 pandemic, economic disruption and massive unemployment, police brutality against black and brown bodies. Maybe you can add to the list. But we must not allow ourselves to be limited by the boundaries of the crisis, by fear or hate.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”19985″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”24px”][vc_column_text]The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III<\/a>, pastor of Chicago\u2019s Trinity United Church of Christ, said this recently<\/a> about real life: \u201cThe first casualty of white supremacy is black imagination: the ability to be able to conceive of what is not and operate as if it is, though it hasn\u2019t yet been achieved.\u201d Maybe the second casualty of white supremacy is white<\/em> imagination. Becoming discouraged is the enemy of change. If we can imagine it together, we can work to make it real.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Initiate Peace<\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”400px”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text]When we put these values into practice in our personal and communal lives, we help make peace possible. We know that in these times of social distancing, community is hard to come by, but we can meet in virtual spaces to imagine the good that God has in store for us. I invite you to consider joining us for the Collaborators Conference for the Flourishing of Nonviolent Christianity<\/em><\/a> in August when we will gather as a community devoted to healing, mercy and love.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”40px”][vc_single_image image=”19986″ img_size=”400×400″ alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]In the meantime, I\u2019d like to leave you with this song from Audrey Assad, Your Peace Will Make Us One<\/strong>. Audrey is an inspiring singer-songwriter and one of our conference presenters. As we attempt to move toward a more healthy Christian life in which we can heal the divisions within our communities in order to bring healing and wholeness to our world, this song has been an inspiration to what we can become as a nation, if we dare to imagine together.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n