The Conspiracy of Silence

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“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

— Romans 12:9 

“There is a conspiracy of silence about hatred, its function and its meaning.”

—Howard Thurman, Jesus and the Disinherited 

Ours is a love-your-neighbor religion. Scripture calls us 35 times to welcome the stranger. United Methodists ground their lives in grace, which is offered expansively for all—to save and to heal and to grease our growth in love. And yet there is a culture of silence about the othering being done by powerful monied interests at work in the federal government. 

In his book Jesus and the Disinherited, Howard Thurman has an entire chapter on hate. Many who have counseled me to be silent for the benefit of the unity of the church do not seem to be troubled by the ways in which silence supports a clear weaponization of the other.  

For example, seeds have been planted in the national discourse to displace millions of Palestinians. While some believe that only felons and bad actors are being rounded up in immigration raids, that is not true. Raids have been indiscriminate. I have read in more than one credible source that indigenous persons have been rounded up in the raids. Some in the government have even called for removal of their citizenship.  

We all know there is a battle in the courts over birthright citizenship guaranteed by the 14th amendment. Persons who identify as LGTBT, especially trans persons, are also losing rights and access to medical treatment. The war on diversity, equity, and inclusion means that women and persons with disabling conditions also face losing their rights. Are these actions unrelated? Episodic?   

Are we ready to call this evil and abhor what is evil? If these actions constitute hatred, we must ask how such hatred is functioning—to return to Thurman’s premise. What else is going on while the nation is being divided in this way? How does the silence of Christians help the harm continue? And what does this mean for the church? What would it look like to let love be genuine? 

I encourage us to break the conspiracy of silence about hatred by: 

  • creating circles for conversation about hard topics in your community of faith 
  • creating a forum to discuss the Sunday sermon following worship services 
  • engaging in small talk with anyone as a step toward bridging life together 
  • being in mission to express your witness to the love of Jesus  
  • contribute in ways that strengthen the church’s voice 
  • making relationships with persons who are different from you. Learn. 

In The 2020/2024 Book of Discipline, among the disciplines by which bishops are encouraged to lead the church is “a prophetic commitment for the transformation of the world” (¶ 403.1d). The subparagraph continues, “the role of the Bishop is to be a prophetic voice for justice. . . . and alleviation of human suffering.” Yes, we are to lead the whole flock of Christ, with all its gifts and differences. My hope is to offer a prophetic reminder that God’s relentless love is among us to reduce human suffering. 

While these considerations are tearing at the hearts of all spiritual leaders, I would call us to our practices. I have been praying more. I have engaged in Bible study with laity and clergy. I would call us all to the assembly of the faithful for worship and service.  

I would also call us to our neighbors. Meet them. Learn from them. Expand your definition of neighbor. 

Know that I am praying for you.

Bishop Dan Schwerin is the episcopal leader of the Northern Illinois and Wisconsin Area of The United Methodist Church. This post is republished with permission from the Northern Illinois Conference website.