“We will follow God’s order, not men’s”
April 30, 2009
Let it be quite clear
that if we are being asked
to collaborate
with a pseudo peace,
a false order,
based on repression and fear,
we must recall that the only order
and the only peace
that God wants
is one based on truth and justice.
Before these alternatives,
our choice is clear:
We will follow God’s order,
not men’s.
- Archbishop Oscar Romero (July 1, 1979)
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10 Comments
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Followed to its logical extent, this will ultimately cost ANY man his life.
It’s a very good way to die.
“It’s a very good way to die,”
……said the suicide bomber praising Allah, the crusader, etc. Claiming to have god on one’s side (I recommend the Dylan song) has been the prime reason to bring others nearer, my lord, to thee. “God wants us to…” really just means “I want you to…”
You’ll find any number of murderous lunatics claiming to follow god’s order(s). George W. Bush, to name just one. Bush considered freedom to be god’s gift to “man” and delivered it via air raid. Winning broken hearts and blown-to-bits minds.
Interestingly, said order coincides with the believers’ personal preferences. God is the hood ornament of war machines.
.
…not that it takes away anything from Romero. One could argue that it makes sense, even for a nontheist, to employ “god talk” in order to sway a religious people.
Ever heard of Thomas More, Gerald? I don’t think he advocated wars or crusades in order to achieve his goal of opposing Erastianism.
To be completely frank, I have never completely understood the — let us say suspicion — that many orthodox Catholics have toward this man.
Faithful Catholics look at the crushing poverty and oppression of mid-20th-century Latin America, and say to the powers that be, “Hey, stop oppressing the people.” To the powerful and monied interests, I suppose that could sound like “We are communists,” but honestly, I really don’t think they were or are.
Yes, yes, I understand about concern for souls and how the perfection of this world is not possible, but should we not care for the poor? It seems to me that is what Romero was really saying — just saying it in a way that threatened the powerful.
And Gerald: Looks like the pendulum has finished swinging in the other direction. It may be time for another adjustment.
……said the suicide bomber praising Allah, the crusader, etc. Claiming to have god on one’s side (I recommend the Dylan song) has been the prime reason to bring others nearer, my lord, to thee. “God wants us to…” really just means “I want you to…”
Not sure this is a good analogy. A suicide bomber, by definition, dies violently through committing violence. Archbishop Romero died violently because of his non-violent resistance. On second look, the analogy is terrible.
I’d say what Gerald desribes is one kind of false order of fear and repression that Romero spoke of. God’s order has more to do with self-sacrifice and love of one’s enemies.
I like this quote. Thanks for posting it, MI.
My point is that, if you didn’t know this was said by Romero, it means nothing, since “God’s order”, “justice” and “truth” are open to any interpretation. The text needs a context, ie Romero’s views. It’s embraced by association.
Theistic Anarchism ftw!