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2008-06-17 issue:

Visualizing violence II

by C. Norman Kraus, Harrisonburg, Va.

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I appreciated J. Denny Weaver’s attempt to create a wall of separation between violent and nonviolent responses that will block the “slippery slope” that lands us in unintended violence. He clearly draws the line between witness and protest on the one side and coercive enforcement on the other. But is there no place for the coercive enforcement of a just order in the Christian ethic? Is there no justification for the forceful restraint of criminal conduct in progress?

I agree that Christians are committed to suffering harm rather than inflicting harm on the offender. And I am all for “restorative justice” after the fact, but how are Christians to respond when they see lethal violence being done to the “neighbor” and could stop it by use of coercive force?

Perhaps a better way to approach the issue is to revisualize the nature of violence as that which violates the integrity of God’s image in human beings. Verbal abuse of God’s image in children—in the process of legitimate coercive physical discipline—is violence. Forceful restraint—even physically harmful restraint of an adult in order to stop violent conduct and protect the neighbor—may not violate the image.

Let’s make action that disrespects and debases the integrity of our God-given dignity the dividing line between legitimate coercion and violence.

Associated Issue: Poverty in the suburbs - May 20, 2008

Associated Article: Visualizing nonviolence

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