On this Memorial Day, Americans pause to remember those whose lives were lost serving in the armed forces. We honor their sacrifice and valor on behalf of our nation and those they worked to free from the tyranny of bad actors and extremist regimes around the world. We pray their memories continue to be remembered for the enduring values they stood to protect.

Today, we face new threats of extremism that threaten to disrupt and erode personal freedom and peaceful coexistence. These growing dangers require alternative approaches to the use of force with a new generation of brave soldiers. In time, their quiet and unified heroism will also be remembered for protecting the values that inspired hope and lasting change in the world.

The Injustice of Retribution

A recent bombing at a Palm Springs, California fertility clinic and last week’s shooting at the Capitol Jewish Museum are tragic examples of rising concerns over domestic extremism in the United States. Ideologically different and unrelated, both events are rightfully characterized for what they are: hate crimes. There is no excuse or rational conclusion broadly accepted in society that permits harm or violence against someone or something based on their beliefs. Although attempts are made to align the fringe and radicalized behaviors of individuals to mainstream ideals for political or ideological gain, doing so seeds conditions for increased polarization, not less. 

Underneath the political and social media talking points is a deeper human impulse that requires personal reflection: retribution. As previously addressed, it is good and right to “hunger and thirst for justice.” It’s the natural and righteous response of the humane, orderly, and peaceful. Retribution, however, is the way of revenge-seeking. It can take many forms of punitive acts, including intimidation, abusing power, unjust punishment of others, and potentially unspeakable violence.

It is good and right to “hunger and thirst for justice.” It’s the natural and righteous response of the humane, orderly, and peaceful.

Revenge sometimes feels like a tantalizing solution. The closer we are to pain and suffering because of a real or perceived injustice, the less rational and measured we are at risk of becoming when we’re not living according to our universal values. Extremist movements excel at creating personalized, emotional responses among their followers. They often use the tactics of high-control cults, religions, and propagandists to fabricate threats and create fictional enemies to an individual’s way of life and identity. These ideas often swirl in echo chambers of like-minded people where they are regularly rehearsed and repeated. Fear and anxiety steadily grow, stories of confirmation bias emerge, and a simple spark can ignite a firestorm of vengeance.

If unrestrained violence creates more violence, and peace seemingly unattainable, then societies are left with few pathways for hope and sustainable change when left to their own devices. Dramatic swings from one polarized position to another is no way to live, lead, or legislate. Retribution, whether through violence or exerting power over others, is an unjust means of peace. Even the greatest military victories in history were not predicated on revenge-seeking, but on protecting freedom, sovereignty, and peaceful living in the face of extremism. 

Peace Through Nonviolent Resistance

Domestic extremism and violence are generally based on grievance and vengeance on behalf of their cause. Retribution might be the response of bad actors, but a measured and compassionate society seeks an alternative to defuse the work of the vengeful. Baked into the founding principles and practices of the Civil Rights Movement, non-violent resistance became the self-sacrificing model against hate and violence. The methodology was proven to elevate awareness among apathetic observers and challenged the biases of those who stood with injustice. The sight of Black folks marching peacefully in unity through the streets of the South only to be attacked by armed police officers and dogs created alarming scenes among the public. Through the horror and trauma, the images still to this day expose the racist beliefs that fueled the evil behaviors and politics of the time. 

The modern-day inspiration for nonviolent resistance can be traced to the work of Mahatma Gandhi in India’s campaign for independence from British rule at the turn of the century. Martin Luther King Jr. often spoke highly of Gandhi’s work and legacy to bring freedom and justice to the people of India. However, nonviolent resistance was also advocated for in a lesser-known place in history—among a minority of White European Christians.

In the years preceding World War II as the Nazi party expanded control and tyranny across Germany, Lutheran pastor and professor, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, boldly spoke against the evils he witnessed occurring in his country, and what many feared, would expand to Europe. His solution for the faithful was not to follow their impulses for revenge, but non-violence. Appealing to their shared confession dating to the first-century stories of Jesus, he wrote: “The only way to overcome evil is to let it run itself to a standstill because it does not find the [vengeful] resistance it is looking for. Resistance merely creates further evil and adds fuel to the flames. But when evil meets no opposition and encounters no obstacle but only patient endurance, its sting is drawn, and at last it meets an opponent which is more than its match.”[1]

“When evil meets no opposition and encounters no obstacle but only patient endurance … it meets an opponent which is more than its match.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer’s call for nonviolence didn’t appear to create widespread traction, perhaps due to a lack of unity among the Christians of his time. Accused of being apathetic towards the mass violence against Jews and then later enlisted into war efforts on opposing sides of battle lines, the fever for national survival was greater than defeating the real evil among them—hate and extremism. Despite Bonhoeffer’s continued preaching and persecution by the Nazi regime, his efforts were later undermined by colluding in a failed attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler at the height of the war.

The Making of Modern-Day Heroes

We exist in precarious times. Social institutions bond societies together with a common purpose and belonging. As they erode, individuals will predictably be pushed into more extremist movements. The effect will result in dramatic increases in mental health conditions and unfavorable outcomes for the whole of society.[2] A hopeful future will require collectivism and holistic living over radical allegiances.

Although some will choose retribution in a poor attempt to ease their pain and suffering, the potential for goodness within all of us knows another way. The courageous inner reflective work of reconciling our lives with values that promote a better world for everyone matters now more than ever. Those who do will be remembered as modern-day heroes for future generations.

---

[1] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.

[2] This statement is based on the research of Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community.

Hope and Justice For All

If you’re like me, you’re looking for compassionate hearts and rational minds in our chaotic world. Hope, change, and justice for everyone, everywhere require thoughtfulness, dedication, and courage to values-based living and leading. I believe that for myself—and for you. Will you join me in this consequential cause? You won’t find ads, paywalls, partner links, or random emails from me. I’m not for sale, and neither are you. However, this work does require support, and with your help, can remain accessible and uninterrupted. Please consider making a donation to keep weekly insights for hope and change available to you and others. Thank you!