The Occupy Wall Street movement has been on my mind lately. After all, this phenomenon has found its center, not unlike other global events, in Lower Manhattan. I understand the reasons why many conservative Christians, whom I love and respect, might be skeptical of such a protest. However, I want to offer a pause for reflection.
Some might suggest that this protest is just the left wing response to the Tea Party. There may be some truth to that, but I think something more is going on in the world right now -- though it is hard to say exactly what the outcome will be -- than the scuffles between Democrats & Republicans. Christians who share the same theological convictions still face a pragmatic debate about involving small government or big government in the issues we face. That's a legitimate pragmatic argument in a democracy even between those of shared convictions. However, there seems to be more going on here. For instance, the Tea Party solidified as a movement that appears to stand for lower taxes, fiscal conservatism, and tackling debt. They mobilized quickly and efficiently and aimed at shaping government policy. However, Occupy Wall Street has made its center a political demonstration at the steps of private commerce. Many of the participants may indeed cast their votes to liberal candidates, but there is a fundamental difference between this group and related movements.... at least so far. First, unlike anything we've seen for a long time (or ever?), there is a sense of global solidarity shared by many of these people movements right now. Whether for good or for ill, it is a reality. They are aiming their demonstration towards the private sector which, at least for now, has a way of transcending the big government vs. small government debate. In addition, there are some general values on economic justice -- without getting into role of government -- shared with the Christian Scriptures.
Some Christians might be skeptical because of those participating in Occupy Wall Street that are just so left wing that such a movement is a bit scary. I'm turned off by some of these more extreme elements as well, but I was also turned off by some of the racism, xenophobia, scapegoating, and such imagery seen in the earliest Tea Party rallies. To characterize all of Occupy Wall Street with the left-wing fringe is about as fair as saying all Tea Party members are racist. Both would be unfair. I've listened to both sets of demonstrations carefully and there are both good people and crazies in both groups. And before writing off Occupy Wall Street as just strange, we may want to remember some of the protests of men like Ezekiel. That was strange indeed.
We might remember Jesus walking into the temple courts and targeting the money changers and those selling doves -- typically the sacrifice of the poor. It wouldn't have disrupted the actual sales & exchanges for more than a few hours, but it was a prophetic statement. We often assert that Jesus was upset about the mixing of economics and religion, but that seems to be a uniquely modern Western assertion. His quoting Jeremiah, as well as the particular businesses that were challenged by Him, leads me to believe that he was confronting corrupt economic practices such as unjust scales or usury (charging interest). Or consider the celebration of Jubilee. It was put in place to cancel debts every 50 years and was equivalent to hitting the economic reset button every half century. Implications? If practiced faithfully, this would have dissolved the possibility of a fattening ruling class at the expense of the rest of the nation.
We could go on & on about Biblical protests in the face of economic injustices, and after the 1980's Saving & Loan scandals, Enron, Bernie Madoff, and the 2008 Recession, it makes sense that Christians would represent a prophetic voice confronting economic injustice and speaking for those crushed by it. Everyone might not agree with the voting record of the folks camping at Wall Street or the strategy for tackling injustice, and we may still debate size and role of government. However, the prophetic role of such a protest can't be ignored if we are to take the economic message of the Bible seriously.
So how do Christians approach the phenomenon of Occupy Wall Street? Some may join them and make some new liberal friends! One of our church members went down and joined up with the Occupy Wall Street Chaplains. Some may speak and work in other circles on behalf of the poor. One of our other church members, a theologian, has worked on NYC's wage equality campaign. We may pray for those being crushed by powerful economic forces and lend a hand whenever possible. Though nearly everyone is stretched, we see generosity demonstrated by followers of Christ in a thousand small ways on a regular basis. And if a believer happens to be a conservative wall street broker who would consider this protest antithetical to your vocation, Jesus also says, "Love your enemies." Perhaps you might consider finding a Wall Street protester and buying them a cup of coffee.
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