‘Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die’. This often-misquoted line comes from the poem/epic story, “The Charge of the Light Brigade” by Alfred Lord Tennison. It was inspired by one of the greatest calamities in British military history: on October 25, 1854, during the Crimean War, the British Light Cavalry Brigade, comprising some 670 men, charged disastrously against some 25,000 Russian soldiers. The idea of the story, I think, was that while we need to be grateful for those who put their lives on the line for our country, either as first responders or in the armed forces, we also need to consider the cost and ask questions. The why of our actions matters, and to believe that those who dissent are not patriots is to go against the very core that is at the creation of our country.
The ability to ask questions and challenge decisions matters in a free society. It also is essential in matters of faith. Tyrants want to quash dissent; it makes them feel threatened and weak. I was raised in a faith tradition that allowed room for questions and doubts. I was never told that something was a mystery or unspeakable; in everything, the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 4, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” He knew that followers of Jesus would be challenged about their beliefs, so he wanted them to not only know how to act, but to also be able to respond with kindness and knowledge. Paul and Jesus weren’t afraid to be challenged or questioned. Like the woman Jesus insulted in Matthew 15 (well, He did) who snapped back at Him and said, “Even the dogs eat the crumbs from their master’s table.” Jesus was impressed, not insulted. Defensiveness never goes well in an exchange of ideas.
This is why I spend so much time studying and appreciating other religions. I find great wisdom and spirituality in them and have often responded to those who think I am wasting my time that if my faith cannot stand up to comparison or scrutiny, it probably isn’t much of a faith to begin with. Listening to other’s ideas matters because it can both broaden our perspective and strengthen our faithfulness. And if dissent causes me to change my mind, I think that’s a good thing. Growing in knowledge, faith, and wisdom only makes us better. Shutting ourselves off from change turns us inward. I think that God gave us a brain so we could question and grow, not to accept what is thrown at us. We aren’t robots, after all; we are made to wonder. That is the power of dissent.
Prayer – Holy God, thank You for giving us brains. Help us to use them so the world can be healed. Amen.
hToday’s art is “Dissent, No. 2” by Bernadette Dennis.