5 Ways to Respond to Political Injustice

This seems to be a season of scandals, Benghazi, Department of Justice seizing records from the press, the IRS singling out conservatives, the NSA leak and on and on. If you're like me and not a politics expert, it's clear things are pretty messed up. It can be overwhelming since we were made for a perfect place and that perfect place is not here. Our longing for heaven will never be fulfilled this side of time. But just because it wont be perfect till Jesus returns doesn't mean we should settle for passivity. 

"But the people who know their God 
will be strong and take action." 
Daniel 11:32

We should do what's right whether it feels like a loosing battle or not. 

My precious state of Colorado is in bad shape right now. As 4 fires are destroying the physical landscape of hundreds of homes as I type, the moral landscape is also being demolished. Very recently marijuana was legalized and a same sex civil union was passed which will effectively shut down Christian adoption services who refuse to allow same sex couples to adopt.

Across the country natural disasters are  bringing so much destruction. Perhaps a physical picture of the spiritual and moral destruction also happening.

Below is a story of what I mean. It is written by a friend of ours sharing his story and asking for prayer. I wish his story was unique but I'm afraid this same attitude is wide spread (at least here in CO). Jack is standing his ground rejecting passivity and using it to share the gospel even if it means time in jail. 

Two gentlemen came into my shop on Thursday, July 19, 2012, about 4:30 pm. They said they were interested in a wedding cake, for their wedding. I told them that I was sorry, but I didn't make cakes for same-sex weddings. Surprised, they both replied "what?!"  My response to them was that while I would make cakes for their birthdays, showers, sell them cookies, brownies, whatever... I just don't do the wedding cakes. At this, they both stood and stormed out of the store, one of them (by his own admission) made an obscene gesture, swore, saying something about a " %#*&$*# homophobic cakeshop"...

We close at 6:00 and by then I had 6 negative calls, some obscene, some just rude. All against my stand. When I got home emails were already coming in. I probably had 20 or 30 by the time I went to bed. When I woke up Friday morning and checked my emails, there were about 200! almost all, if not all, were negative.The phone rang constantly all day Friday, including someone who threatened to come and shoot me. I called the police at this, and they came out and were able to witness the mayhem with the phones... both lines ringing back-to-back!...

This continued all day Friday and all day Saturday. I was able to talk at length with some of the callers, and I was able to share clearly my faith and the reasons why I believe the Bible to be God's Word to us, and that while He clearly states in the Bible that homosexuality is wrong, so is all sin, and any sin in our lives keeps us out of fellowship with Him here on earth, but more importantly, separates us from Him through all eternity without the redemption offered through the death, burial and resurrection of His only son, Jesus Christ. 

My decision not to participate in the gay weddings is not motivated by politics, i.e., my rights, guaranteed by the first amendment to the US Constitution, or a business decision, or hatred of gays - though I've been accused of all these and many other things. My decision is based solely on a desire to live my life in obedience to Him and His Word. 

Anyway, the calls & emails continued to pour in Monday, and at some point on Monday, my caller-ID showed up as "Focus on the Family". The call was from Steve Jordahl, of Family news in Focus. He had heard about the email flood from some of their sources and wanted to know if I'd like to be interviewed. We set it up for Tuesday, and it aired on Wednesday. Soon the story had gone national and I began to get many, many more supportive calls than negative ones. That Saturday, 5 people picketed us, called the local news, we were interviewed by a local TV station and the picketers told the news that they would return the following Saturday with many more picketers. About 30 did. We also had a large number of supporters show up (probably more than 500 people) we also ended up interviewed by a few stations and in the Denver Post. So by now, we're national news. 

Apparently, I have broken a law... which states that in a "place of public accommodation" it is illegal to refuse service to anyone for any reason, including "sexual orientation". The two gentlemen have each filed charges with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. The penalty, if I'm found guilty (and my attorney, courtesy of the Alliance Defending Freedom, is pretty sure that we'll lose this round, is a fine of between $50 and $500. It's also possible that up to a year in jail might be added. So, we'll have to appeal to a court. She's pretty sure that it will be an uphill battle all the way, because of the liberal state of Colorado's government and Judicial system...

The same ideology will be imposed on any and everyone that tries to defend their own beliefs, therefore, in order to give the gays their rights, in the way that this bill is written, they take away or ignore the rights of everyone that doesn't agree with the law for any reason including the first amendment rights to practice their religion the way they see fit.  So much for the first amendment!!

People continue to come into the shop to encourage me. Most of you aren't able to stop in but the Lord has used your prayers and emails and kind words to encourage me and give me strength. Thank you! If you think it will do any good, write to your congressmen. Another idea, 2 Chronicles 7:14 is a good place to start...Thanks for being concerned about our situation,
Jack Phillips

Sometimes something as simple as a phone call or email can be a great encouragement (like it was to Jack) in the face of such discouragement. Here are some other ways to respond to political injustice.

5 Ways to Respond to Political Injustice

1. Get Informed & Speak Up. So often it seems the minority are the majority because they are louder. Part of rejecting passivity is respectfully speaking up. If you offend someone (and have been respectful in how you've communicated) then let them have their own boundaries and take ownership of their feelings. If someone has been offended by a differing viewpoint it's probably good for them to learn to deal with it anyway. 

Or perhaps you don't know what exactly is going on politically and therefore don't really know what to say. Places like CitizenLink and ACLJ.org are great places to start. Glancing at the headlines for a few minutes a day or week would be a good goal.

2. Pray & Encourage.  God alone is able to change hearts. He's given us a responsibility to act but to depend on Him all the while knowing He's the One who will accomplish what's best.

Jack is an example of how much other believers coming alongside and sending a simple email or phone call encourages. When people are standing up for what's right there will be backlash. Let's stand alongside our brothers ad sisters in Christ and affirm them regardless of if we 100% agree with they way they are doing things or not, it goes a long way.

3. Sign Petitions. Taking a quick 10 seconds to add your name to something you agree with. How easy is that.

4. Donate & Spend Your Money Wisely. In our culture, money speaks. In reality, our money is not our own, it belongs to the Lord and He cares how we invest it. It's worth asking God if there are people or organizations He wants us to give a gift to as well as asking Him if there are things we are buying that support things He doesn't support. (A simple google search could help you with this.)

5. Use your gifts. Each of us is shaped differently with different passions and different abilities. How can you use something you love to stand up for what's right? Or perhaps you can team up with a friend who has abilities that complement yours to stand up for truth.

The goal is not perfection, it's acting justly. It's taking initiative by the strength of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results up to God.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. 
And what does the LORD require of you? 
To act justly and to love mercy 
and to walk humbly with your God." 
Micah 6:8

About Laura

Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has four kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries to college students for 11 years serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Staff Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 girls, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks 10-20 times a year. Laura is an award winning author of a 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, recently released Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, and A Devotional Journey through Judges, a devotional to accompany the free online Bible study at TheBookofJudges.com. You can find her on facebook,twitter, pinterest and youtube.

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