In preparing for today's message, I
was thinking about Canada Day – and what it means to be Canadian.
I believe us to be a caring and compassionate society, capable of truly
wonderful things. On the world stage. we are seen as a middle
power, with the abilities to undertake peacekeeping and humanitarian
efforts. On the domestic front, we have many notable
accomplishments, including a world class education system,
comprehensive health care, and- while by no means perfect- a social
regime that tries to take care of those beset by economic, physical and
mental challenges. And I am very proud of these things.
But my thoughts drifted to the
realization that Nationalism is not always a good thing. Today, I
want to examine when the spirituality of individuals is overtaken by
nationalistic fervour and unfair, indeed even violent acts are
supported or encouraged. History is filled with periods where
nationalism was used to motivate attempted extirpations of certain
family, tribal or religious groups. The Bible has several
examples. More recently, I think of the Crusades, the
Armenian – Turkish conflict, of course Nazi Germany, and in the past
few years, the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda.
Nationalism does indeed have its dark side.
There are a range of reasons why this
dark side gets developed to these extremes – one ethnic group is driven
by actions of the past, possibly stricken by poverty and struggling to
survive; people want to change the status quo; people are afraid of
change and trying to protect the status quo. But these events
usually have some similar traits:
- an identifiable group, - an ideology shaped by one or
more fantasies related to a desired way of life, be it more riches, or
greater power to make decisions - an effective leader,
passionate about the ideology, with an ability to convey it in a way
that resonates with the group.
And finally, actions against a minority that are supported by the
majority in the context of the ideology.
Within that paradigm, why is it that
the spirituality that resides in people can be set aside? Volumes
have been written about individuals who have used nationalism to
advance their own twisted ideas. Less is written about
those who stood up to them and tried to effect change. The role of
Oscar Schindler as portrayed in the movie “Schindler’s List” is one
example. I am sure that individuals who did not support the
approach that was being taken were sidelined out of the decision making
process…. or worse. This morning on “Sunday Morning,” on CBC, a
retired CIA operative was lamenting that he had not done more to
release information regarding the Vietnam War in 1963 and 1964, rather
than waiting until 1968 and 1971 – he felt it might have saved
thousands of lives.
I was struck by the passage in Luke
today… “When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord,
may we call down fire from heaven to burn them up? But he turned
and rebuked them and they went on to another village”. I dare say
the disciples reaction to the response from the Samaritan village's
rebuffing of Jesus’ desire to preach there is the “normal” one.
But after all, Jesus’ response is the correct one.
How then do we as individuals, in the
face of power, stand up for those principles of Jesus; those same
principles we have expressed a desire to espouse? Where do we
find the strength of character, especially under times of pressure,
quickly to identify our own principles and articulate them in a way
that results in us continuing as a relevant voice?
In Canada, we are not embarking on
anything of the scale that I have referenced today, but we still have
our challenges. Friday was the national day of protest for
Canada’s First Nations. I know that when I hear the reports of
blockades, my initial gut reaction is akin to that of the
disciples. But what would Jesus say about it? My sense is
that it would be to take a reasoned approach. Is this
right? Some of these specific claims go back more than one
hundred years, and have never been dealt with effectively. What should our role be in
this? To stand by is akin to tacit approval of the status quo, to
study, have meetings, further studies, further delay. But I
wonder if I should not be more engaged in this issue – writing letters
to members of parliament demanding action – specifically demanding that
federal and provincial governments evaluate fairly each of the outstanding claims.
This is something I have to consider, for how can I condemn those who
didn’t raise their voice in the more violent examples I referenced
earlier if I am unwilling to do the same in an area where I have some
influence?
Nationalism or love and identification
with one's country is a wonderful thing. But when the positive
elements of nationalism are used to motivate actions that are unfair or
violent, where will we be? Like the disciples, demanding
retribution and change, or on the side of Jesus searching for a better
way?