(UNDATED) The Taliban seemed vanquished not long ago. Now they control major swaths of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The Republican Party lost badly in November elections. The GOP immediately began to obstruct Congress, vowing to block even the most benign appointments and legislation.
Ah yes, the power of the minority to stymie. Whether they use terror or procedure, a determined minority can wear down the majority, maybe even enough to get its way.
Thus the reality of endless conflict. A ballot outcome or court ruling doesn’t necessarily settle anything; it just moves conflict to other ground. If Roe v. Wade had settled anything, anti-abortion zealots wouldn’t have threatened war at the University of Notre Dame for honoring President Obama on Sunday.
It’s the same for a church, where a single antagonist can bring down a popular and effective pastor. By demonstrating they will stop at nothing to get their way, they eventually frighten the majority into going along.
Such tactics work in America because democracy exists partly to protect the rights of the minority. As liberals well know, they were the minority when the civil rights struggle began in earnest. If they had gone away, as they now wish conservatives would go away, we would still be honoring Jim Crow.
Trust-busting began with a few voices raised in protest. So did America’s entry into World War II. So did the environmental movement. Christianity itself begin in one man’s voice. So, for that matter, did the Nazi Party in Germany. Most political change starts in a small cadre who push relentlessly against the establishment.
As Jeremiah said, some will cry, “Peace, peace,” not because peace is at hand, but because they are tired of conflict. Peace tends to be a strategy in conflict, not a blissful state of being.
Thomas Paine encouraged fellow revolutionaries to push through the “fatigue of supporting” freedom. Over the years, both liberals and conservatives have echoed an abolitionist’s call for “eternal vigilance (as) the price of liberty.”
I know from experience that calls such as “Stop rocking the boat” and “Don’t seek change for the sake of change” are merely an established order’s way of staying in power. They have nothing to do with probity or virtue.
There is no avoiding conflict. The majority cannot say, “We won, now go away.” Nor can the minority be expected to say, “Well, we lost, so that’s it.” If they believe in their cause, why would they not keep fighting for it?
The challenge, it seems to me, is to insist on three values, without which society crumbles.
First, fight fair. Fight with ideas, not lies. Fight with words and votes, not violence. Society has no right to stop conflict or to impose certain outcomes. But it must impose certain norms for battle.
Second, fight respectfully. Our fights aren’t usually good vs. evil, but one idea vs. another idea. When we start using absolutist language and declaring our opponents evil creatures worthy of destruction, we violate the cause of freedom.
Third, fight proportionately. Having a passionate cause doesn’t justify all-out warfare.
Silence isn’t an option. Conflict won’t go away just because you won yesterday or are tired today. The outcome of one election simply frames the issues for the next election. Victorious Democrats need to get over feeling cheated by Republican intransigence. Proponents of the right to abortion need to stop reciting Roe v. Wade and start competing vigorously in today’s contest of ideas.
(Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the author of “Just Wondering, Jesus,” and the founder of the Church Wellness Project, http://www.churchwellness.com. His Web site is http://www.morningwalkmedia.com.)
