I Protest! or perhaps not.

When do Christians need to gather with others of courage to stand against unjust practices? When is enough, enough and when do we participate merely with our vote? In an entry at The Questing Parson called To protest or not protest? the parson reflects with a group of seminarians on how and when to respond as pastors knowing that

Not everyone feels the role of the pastor is necessarily to oppose evil in the manner of public protests and such.

The parson, who is given to using stories to settle most things debatable and all other matters of inquiry as well, ended with this brief story:

“Henry David Thoreau was once thrown into prison for refusing to pay his taxes because a portion of it went to support the Mexican War. While he was in prison, Ralph Waldo Emerson came to visit him in his cell. Emerson looked through the bars and said to Thoreau, “Thoreau, what are you doing in there?”

Thoreau replied, “Waldo, what are you doing out there?”

The full entry To Protest or not protest is worth a read.

When should Christians get involved? When should we lead by example? When should we protest injustice in the society around us?

peace,
Frank+
The Rev. Frank Logue, Pastor + King of Peace Episcopal Church