Guarding the Status Quo

(As continued from Critiquing American Christianity)

One of Martin Luther King Jr.'s primary frustration during the civil rights era was the lack of courage that many white clergy displayed by asking him to wait and be patient. This frustration was the reason for his book Why We Can't Wait and why he explains, "It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment...We are gathered here to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children (Free At Last)."

But the white clergy tried desperately to keep the peace (though his movement was nonviolent it is amazing to think the amount of pressure Dr. King could generate) and not upset the current status quo until white people were ready for it to be upset. Forty years later and I am still not sure we're ready for that. But American Christianity has a long history of not wishing to upset the status quo.

Even today mainstream Christianity is the keeper of the status quo. Consider the way we use our wealth, educate our children and fail to promote environmental stewardship. Pres. Bush will not sign the Kyoto agreement because it would cost Americans too much money. Meanwhile America is the biggest environmental hazard in the world today. He saved his vote by not upsetting the status quo and the Christian right love him for it.

Look at the two biggest issues American Christians have fought over the last decade: abortion and homosexuality. The majority of Christians have taken moral stances opposed to these two issues. But in taking our stand we have not been challenged to change ourselves. Because in these two issues, Christians view it as a moral problem with "the other." We believe it is their sin and we will stand against their sin. It is a moral fight that is outside ourselves and one we believe must be won for the salvation of the nation.

But what about systemic racism, classism, and other various forms of injustice that also plague our nation today. As a simple example, the way we fund education (through property taxes) is one of the greatest causes of the poor staying poor and we have merely congratulated our own children for succeeding in a system designed for them to succeed while blaming the poor for failing to succeed in a system designed for their failure.

Why don't we fight these issues? Because they would require us to change. It may ask us to sacrifice some funding in our schools so other schools can be more adequately funded. By that time it may force us even to lobby government for more money for our schools because it is so low on the nation's priority list. These fights, however, are much more work and address the sin in our own lives, of not being faithful stewards with the resources God has given us.

When the sin lives within our own hearts and it is downright terrifying to be confronted with sin that comes from within us. In fact, our ability to protect the status quo is a direct result of the sin within us that we dare not confront. Like with the white clergy who knew it would be painful for white people to realize the racism within themselves.

The great thing about MLK is that he knew it would be painful, but he counted on the grace of God through the triumph of Christ over death and injustice. As a follower of Christ there is always a cross before the crown. But, my friend, there is always a crown.