How are we as Christians engaged in the world?

by Abbie Coburn

I struggle with being an Episcopalian.

I struggle with the priorities of what seems to me to too often be an antiquated, hierarchal structure where who’s rubbing elbows with whom is the most discussed topic. I struggle with faith being separated from daily life in such a way that ‘following in Christ’s footsteps’ becomes a diluted phrase, rather than a way of transforming one’s life.

How’s that for an introduction?

This past weekend there was international mobilization against the current U.S. occupation in Iraq. All across the country (and various parts of the world) there were marches, demonstrations and teach-ins. I hope that some of you reading this were able to participate in your local community.

As I marched in San Francisco I chose to join the contingency from the War Tax Resisters. These are people who choose to resist paying varying percentages of their taxes as a protest against the absurd amount of federal funds being used for the purposes of war. As there wasn’t a large contingency of folks of faith marching together, I chose instead to align myself with war tax resisters, a lifestyle I choose to lead as well.

It seems to me appropriate to be a person of faith and a tax resister. Would Jesus not be a tax resister as well. Or that he would at least not be paying taxes to our current US government. If our government is doing so little to address issues such as the Millennium Development Goals, but rather is continuing to be responsible for the killing of thousands daily, is it not my duty to stand up and say ‘NO’? For all our banner-bearing, petition-signing, email-sending that goes on, is it not our faith that really pulls at us when injustice is occurring? When we can see with our own eyes that we are directly responsible for such atrocities throughout the world, why in God’s name do we continue to be herded?

Marching with thousands on Saturday, however, was a touching experience. A highlight of how disjointed the peace movement(s) is, as well as a testimony to diversity in the exhaustion with our current state of affairs. In front of me marched Palestinian women pushing their strollers and holding the hands of their small children, chanting for an end to the US-funded occupation of Palestine. As 10,000 of us fell to the ground in a symbolic die-in along Market Street a mother of a young Marine lay next to me loudly reciting her Hail Marys. I found it comforting that someone was calling upon God to be present as we lay there in protest to the injustices done in our names.

Yes, it is important to divert 0.7% of funds to the MDGs. But isn’t it also important to make sure that the 99.3% of funds is not used to support killing and suffering throughout the world. And when we find out facts such as 51% of the federal budget going towards military expenses (which obviously is not getting to the military families), how can we continue, in good conscious, to pay that money? I find that there is immense amounts of fear involved with standing up – fear of the government, fear of jail, fear of alienation. Aren’t these all fears that Jesus and his disciples faced as well? And fears that they in turn cast aside in order to live a life more meaningful.

The time for action has come. The repercussions are but blips on the screen. The injustices have reached a cataclysmic roar and we must not turn a deaf ear. We must not sit idly by debating, as Christians with immense privilege, the best ways to move forward. But, rather we must charge. With the convictions that Christ has showed us. Casting aside fear and living fully with faith in a life more meaningful.

Abbie Coburn is a 23-year old from San Francisco who has lived in Zimbabwe, attended the international school, Friends World Program, and has worked in Palestine with Birthright Unplugged. Currently traveling around the U.S. with Wheels of Justice -- which organizes education and nonviolent action for justice and human rights, especially in Iraq and Palestine.

Tomorrow: The Rev. Jay Lawlor