November 2, 2011 with 11 Comments

464.

Should the Christian Occupy Wall Street?

Will they survive the brutal New York winter?

Will they last through the first blizzard?

In case you’ve been living under a rock, I’m talking about the folks camped out in front of wall street in an attempt to communicate their unhappiness with life, money, the economy, or more specifically – the rich.

They call themselves the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, and they seem to have enough momentum to make it on the evening news each night.  Rumor has it a name change is being discussed with “occupy miami beach” coming in first as winter closes in on the protestors.

I don’t mean to be glib.

We are living in tough economic times, and people everywhere are hurting.

But watching the folks in New York has gotten me wondering about Christians and protests. Should they participate? Should they stay silent? Is there a place in between that believers can cling to in times of national dissatisfaction and uncertainty?

Pat Robertson thinks followers of Jesus Christ should not participate in the protests. I’m pretty neutral about Pat Robertson but I am interested in the Biblical viewpoint on the matter. Jesus once said “Give to Caeser what is Caeser’s and to God what is God’s” (Luke 20:25). In Romans 13:1-2 Paul also pretty much advocates obedience to the authorities given to us by God.

But what does all that mean to the modern day believer? What does it mean for a man or woman living in the land of the free and the home of the brave? What are you and I supposed to do when we want to make a difference but disagree with the “system”? I’d like to share 4 steps a follower of Jesus Christ must consider when attempting to take a stance on a debatable issue.

1. Identify the Issue. There is nothing more annoying than getting into an argument with someone who has no idea what he or she is fighting about. As I have watched the OWS movement grow, I continue to find the issues involved confusing. The protesters are clearly upset because they have no jobs and are financially bereft. They would like to be given more money. But beyond that, can someone clarify the actual issues of contention for me? Anytime you want to take on a debatable issue, start by sitting down and clearly delineating to yourself what you are fighting for and why.

2. Understand the System. Recently the protesters in Egypt and Lybia succeeded in overturning the government, and the folks in Syria are trying to do the same. Though they may seem like valid examples of government overturn, the Middle East is vastly different from our western system. We are a country that thrives on democracy and freedom of speech. We have been given inalienable rights including the right to vote – a rare and sacred privilege to voice our opinions on any issue of relevance. The easiest way to make a difference in the USA is to understand the system you are dealing with and work within it. Vote. Run for office. Write or call your senators. Find ways within the system and work within it. You are much more likely to make a lasting impact that way!

3. Channel your Anger. I have rarely seen a protest not fueled by anger. Anger is an emotion that left to itself can run wild, but channeled correctly can make a difference. You’ve been there before. You get a meal you don’t like, you get mad about it – for 30 minutes. But the odds of writing the company headquarters are slim to none. But you find me a mother whose son has been killed by a drunk driver, and you’ve just founded Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. Anger is not a bad emotion, but it must be fueled properly. Otherwise it only leads to destruction.

4. Maintain your Testimony. If you are a Christian, then before you are a citizen of a country, and before you are a card carrying member of anything, you are a follower of Jesus Christ and an ambassador of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. How are you representing? Will others watching you want to become part of the kingdom you are representing? No matter what you believe on any topic, make sure you guard your testimony with everything you’ve got. That’s far more important than any point you’re trying to make. For the Christian, that means treat others with love and respect.

Grant it, I doubt most people reading this blog are getting ready to hitch hike to NYC, but I believe that sooner or later you will find an issue that will push your buttons.

When you do, don’t be afraid to stand up for your opinion. But above all, make sure you do it with grace and love.

If you have any thoughts or questions about the Occupy Wall Street Movement, jot them down in the comments section. We’d love to hear your thoughts.

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  • Milo

    you are right. The description fits. As Christians, we have the power of prayer, the power of truth and the power of God. When we kneel to pray, He hears us. Let us be thankful, prayerful and learning from tha Word
    By the way, now the same movement is on the French Riviera, in Nice, warmer and more pleasant location.

  • ramzi

    should the christian be a Democrat?

    should the christian vote for Obama?

    (im a poet and didn’t know it…ha!)

    • Devin

      not to judge others faith because only God knows if some one is truly a follower of Jesus christ. to answer your question no the Democratic party is rooted in humanism and progresivism bolth of those are strongly anti-faith and ant-christian. (They advocate for the must part) Homosexuality, aborition, removal of God from America, Historical revisionism, entitalment ect. You can support the Democrats if you wish but they will not support you.

  • Dawn

    Identify the issue. Understand the issue. Channel your anger. Maintain your testimony. A very wise recipe for addressing any debatable issue! I haven’t really followed the movement, but like anyone who is breathing in America, I am aware of it. Above all, maintain your testimony… to many Christians soiling the name of Christ for their ego’s sake. Thank you for that reminder of my true citizenship, I pray I will walk worthy today.

  • Holly

    This is a dicey subject, thank you Lina for bringing what’s really important to the forefront and that is that first and foremost we are Christ followers and no matter how we choose to ‘go after’ an issue, we must first seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and then wait for the answer that will serve His kingdom, not our agendas…

  • Gina

    I’m always excited to read what topic you tackle each day.You hit this 1 out of the park.great post Dr.L. :)

  • Linda

    Thanks for this. I have been struggling hearing about the Occupy this and that for a while…letting bitterness and judgement take root as I condemn these people in my mind. What a great reminder for me to maintain my testimony! It is far more important to treat others with love and respect. Thanks for your insight!

  • Marisol

    Well put Lina. Thanks!

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  • http://www.micahalexgant.com Micah

    I really appreciate this part of your article: “When you do, don’t be afraid to stand up for your opinion. But above all, make sure you do it with grace and love.”

    This entire thing has been truly heartbreaking to me. The Occupy protestors have been on my heart lately, and though I don’t necessarily agree with them politically, I keep thinking about them. And when I think about them and how they just want to be heard, I get sad when I hear them labeled as unruly, dirty hippies and when I see police treat them like animals. What makes me more sad though, is when I hear politicians and Christians speaking of them and at them in a manner that lacks any sort of love or empathy. People just want to be heard. I decided to scour the internet using the terms ‘Christians’ and ‘Occupy’ to see what positive things were coming out of this. Were there any Christian groups taking the time to go out and speak to people with love and compassion? Or perhaps any Christians just allowing people who are clearly very frustrated to just talk while they listened? Perhaps Christians, who have been transformed by God’s love, being lights in a dark world, allowing His peace and light to flow out? Maybe this internet search would produce an amazing article or video of Christians hugging people, lending shoulders to cry on, passing out literature, or heck, maybe even some cookies? Instead, I come across article after article of Christians who are so attached to Conservative political ideals, that they are harshly criticizing these people. And this is what the world sees. And the world associates this behavior with Christ. And the world spits us out. Meanwhile, we are allowing police to take over violently, and we are allowing the media to spin it as though these crowds were violent. Did you see some of the footage of the police beating people with sticks who were not being violent? The 80 year old woman sprayed violently in the face by police with such a force that she had to be helped up by people around her? WHERE WOULD JESUS BE DURING THIS TIME? Would Jesus be complaining about these people or would he be in the midst of them? He would be in the midst of them letting compassion flow, whether he agreed with them politically or not. He is crying for these people, and He is crying for HIS people to let Him work through them, to let His love flow through us to the least of these.

    So to see this article contained some compassion made me smile. I hope to come across others that are similarly sprinkled with some empathy.

    • lina

      i appreciate your comment micah, and you bring up such a great point. i haven’t seen or heard of any christian ministries on the ground looking for opportuniities to show Christs love, but maybe they do exist!