Response to January 6, 2021 Insurrection

“Who shall ascend the hill of YHWH? And who shall stand in God’s holy place? Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their soul to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully.” - Psalm 24:3-4

I had hoped 2021 would be better, but it continued with the weekly once-in-lifetime-events. I am sure you all watched, horrified, as insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. This was instigated by U.S. politicians—the President and lawmakers— who have perpetuated the lie that the 2020 U.S. election was rigged. After the deadly attempted coup, 147 lawmakers in the U.S. Congress voted to overturn the U.S. election based on false claims of election fraud. These politicians have lifted up their souls to what is false. They swore to protect the U.S. Constitution, and then attempted to subvert it—they have sworn deceitfully.

Arnold Schwarteneger gave an inspiring speech on these recent events, referring to his upbringing in Austria after WWII. He said that January 6, 2021 was the U.S.A.’s “Day of Broken Glass.” The similarities with the rise of the Third Reich in Germany, and then Austria are striking, with lies, conspiracy theories, and white supremacy leading the charge. Just as Austria was not insulated from the rise of the Third Reich, Canada is not insulated from the influence of White Supremacy and QAnon.

As Christians, we cannot stand by and do nothing about the strength building behind movements that are based on lies and deceit. Psalm 24 says it above, but it’s all over the Bible, that God stands against falsehood. As followers of Jesus, what can we do? We can call our Federal Government Representatives. Americans can call our Senators and our House Representatives asking for Trump’s impeachment, and for them to investigate and expel (according to the 14th amendment) the lawmakers who voted to overturn the election. Canadians can call your MP and ask for the Proud Boys to be declared a domestic terrorist organization and for QAnon to be monitored for domestic terrorism. These are things we can do right now from the comfort of our own homes. I urge you to pick up the phone and make these calls. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good [people] to do nothing.”

(John F. Kennedy said this, quoting Edmund Burke, but may have actually been originally said by John Stewart Mill.)

May the God of peace be with you,

Rev. Sarina