On November 5 – 4 days before the annual remembrance of Kristallnacht (the beginning of the Holocaust) – the Reading (PA) Eagle reported that a catholic school in Hanover, PA, included in its Halloween/All Sain’t float a replica of the gates of Auschwitz. The gates of Auschwitz. People of all faiths were shocked and horrified – the bishop of that area was embarrassed and angry that anyone would consider doing this – the teacher who allowed it had all kinds of excuses and reasons for it – but it happened. Part of the surprise to me was that the Catholic Church is usually very sensitive to this kind of thing. They have confessed and atoned for their lack of action during that horrendous time and have done a lot to improve their relationship with Jewish communities around the world. Still, it happened. I asked myself, where is the line?
I have found myself asking this question more and more in the last 25 years. The phrase, “Have you no shame?” pops up in my brain regularly. It isn’t just around the growing threat and violence of anti-Semitism or the Islamophobia that is having a resurgence – it is the seeming lack of moral clarity around behavior and words and life in general. Videos of people freaking out because someone parked where they usually park. Stories of increasing numbers of degrading acts towards women. Flagrant misconduct towards people who aren’t heterosexual. Much of this is done in the name of freedom, often freedom of religion and speech. People flashing guns in public for no reason other than to scare the stuffing out of people, claiming the freedom to bear arms allows it. Where is the line?
I am not the kind of person who buys into a lot of tradition or social expectations; most of them, to me, are archaic and silly. I am, however, deeply committed to respecting the rights of others, even if I disagree with them. Freedom to speak your truth, even if I think you are wrong. Freedom to vote for your choice of candidate, even if I dislike their politics. The line was always this – my rights end where yours begin. Where is that line? Where is the respect? We have political leaders who call names and purposely embarrass other leaders. We have religious leaders who make excuses for sinful behavior. We have community leaders flagrantly stealing and taking advantage of their power. Where is the line? Where is the outrage? Where is the endpoint? And where will all of this outrageous behavior take us, in the end?
Prayer – Teach us all, God, to respect the rights of others. And guide them in respecting ours. Amen.
Today’s art is “Respect” by Domonique Brown.