A life in Christ is non-violence activism

I attended an interesting "Peace and Justice" talk last night given by the well-known peace activist Jesuit Priest Father John Dear.

Father John is an engaging and thought-provoking priest. His passion for non-violent action to fight war, poverty and hunger is compelling and sincere.

Yet, as decent and faith-based as his argument is -- it is also fatally flawed. For some reason that I do not understand, Father John chooses not make Jesus the center of his argument. Though he speaks of Jesus often, when it comes times to making the pitch -- Father John instead pitches action steeped in human behavior, not action based in a Christ-like life. Maybe that's because many of his followers are well-meaning, ardent secularists to whom a faith-based argument may have limited effectiveness or be lost altogether.

Yet, without the embrace of Christ and His message of humility, compassion, and love, "non-violent" action is doomed to erosion, corruption and/or perversion.

In Christ, we find the truest form of goodness. And it is only through Him that we find the best defense against the all-too-human frailties of selfishness, ego and greed -- the origins of war and poverty.

No matter how big the victory of non-violent activism, if it based in human behavior, and not in Christ, then the victory will invariably fall victim to human frailties. A short glance back in human history affirms this.

And maybe this is the real point -- when we sincerely live a life in Christ, then the evils of humanity fall away. The effect is self-perpetuating (like pebbles in a pond.) It is a powerful starting point, it is the only path to lasting peace, and it is only available through the Grace of God.

Nonetheless, many thanks to Father John Dear for his work, passion and sincerity.