#bonhoeffer

“Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease. Against stupidity we are defenseless. Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed – in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical – and when facts are irrefutable they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack. For that reason, greater caution is called for when dealing with a stupid person than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous.”

Yesterday I saw a reflection on the funeral of Charlie Kirk and began to read. It reeked of “both-sides-ism” and after a couple of paragraphs about the beauty of thousands singing praise, I stopped reading. Then I saw that someone I respect had also posted this reflection, so I decided to read a little further. Past all the “good people on both sides” rhetoric came a genuine, if mild, critique of the use of Christianity for obviously un-Christian purposes.

I understand the desire to reach across the aisle, to speak to friends or family who have been entranced by the strange draw of Christian nationalism. We don’t want to think of them as “other” or “enemy.” And that’s fair. They aren’t.

They are, however, deeply deluded. And to believe that a little gentle reasonable questioning might bridge the gap is to misunderstand the level of denial under which they live. These are folks who have been willing to ignore decades of history of rape, grift, lies, cruelty, and racism in the leaders they now follow.

Some would say that history is why they follow them, and for certain people, I believe that is true. They aren’t the ones this author was trying to reach. This author, in all their sincerity, wanted to speak to those who might still respond to reminders of Christ’s compassion and mercy and peace.

Let’s be real. If they were going to respond to such reminders, they’ve had years to do so. These are people who believe they just witnessed the largest altar call in history. People who listened to Trump’s hatred and retribution just after Erika’s call for love and forgiveness and weren’t bothered. Who voted for him after the insurrection.

Today I listened to a brief reflection on Lutheran pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, executed by the Nazis for his role in an assassination attempt against Hitler, which felt much more to the point.

Bonhoeffer, on the one hand, warned of contempt against other humans leading us to become what we despise. But at the same time, he had no illusions about what he was dealing with in Nazi Germany:

"Stupidity is a more dangerous enemy of the good than malice. One may protest against evil; it can be exposed and, if need be, prevented by use of force. Evil always carries within itself the germ of its own subversion in that it leaves behind in human beings at least a sense of unease.

Against stupidity we are defenseless.

Neither protests nor the use of force accomplish anything here; reasons fall on deaf ears; facts that contradict one’s prejudgment simply need not be believed — in such moments the stupid person even becomes critical — and when facts are irrefutable, they are just pushed aside as inconsequential, as incidental. In all this the stupid person, in contrast to the malicious one, is utterly self-satisfied and, being easily irritated, becomes dangerous by going on the attack.

For that reason, greater caution is called for than with a malicious one. Never again will we try to persuade the stupid person with reasons, for it is senseless and dangerous."

He goes on to define what he means by stupidity:

"The process at work here is not that particular human capacities, for instance, the intellect, suddenly atrophy or fail. Instead, it seems that under the overwhelming impact of rising power, humans are deprived of their inner independence, and, more or less consciously, give up establishing an autonomous position toward the emerging circumstances.

The fact that the stupid person is often stubborn must not blind us to the fact that he is not independent. In conversation with him, one virtually feels that one is dealing not at all with a person, but with slogans, catchwords and the like that have taken possession of him. He is under a spell, blinded, misused, and abused in his very being. Having thus become a mindless tool, the stupid person will also be capable of any evil and at the same time incapable of seeing that it is evil. This is where the danger of diabolical misuse lurks, for it is this that can once and for all destroy human beings.

Yet at this very point it becomes quite clear that only an act of liberation, not instruction, can overcome stupidity." (I encourage you to read the whole thing - linked in comments)

I think pastors, speakers, authors, leaders … any of us, really, need to face this very hard reality and fast. Only an act of liberation, not instruction, is needed.

And what is that act of liberation? That’s the question for this age.

Bonhoeffer believed that an external liberation was required before the internal one could happen.

What does that mean? Rather than spend energy trying to convince someone to think differently, we create conditions for them to experience reality differently. Energy spent trying to cross the enormous chasm that currently exists through thoughtful words or education is energy diverted from building the world we want to see.

Right now we are called to do whatever we can to reduce harm. Right now, we must envision and take steps towards a new, more grounded and compassionate reality. We can no longer wait until the next election or outsource our work of community building to politicians. The old ways do not and will not work.

Trying something new takes patience and incredible spiritual grounding. Practicing those two things is a good place to start. It also takes skill. There are plenty of people out there with the skills we need. Find them. Learn from them. Choose one skill you’d like to use in this new world you dream. Practice it.

This weekend, I walked an Underground Railroad historic trail. I think about how each person along that trail had to figure out a new skill: how to find, hide, feed and secretly transport enslaved people longing to be free. These quiet, persistent, risky challenges did not make headlines. But they saved lives. May we be so brave.

…the grace of the gospel, which is so hard for the pious to comprehend, confronts us with the truth. It says to us, you are a sinner, a great, unholy sinner. Now come, as the sinner that you are, to your God who loves you.

Dietrich #Bonhoeffer, #Life #Together

on a personal note I’m home today after an ablation. Sitting on the front porch and reading.