Response to Glenn Beck?

Recently I received a call asking me as chair of the Board of Church and Society if the Annual Conference had any response to Fox News talk show host Glenn Beck’s comments essentially equating church’s that preach social justice or have those words in any of their literature with fascists and communists. Then after he encouraged people to leave their churches, he held up a cycle and a swastika instead of a cross. While I was at first a little bit angered by this, I figuratively took a step back and filed that as another ignorant, showman like rant, meant to draw attention to himself and to further stoke the fire of the base of Beck’s audience. Honestly it never occurred to me that it needed nor more importantly deserved a response. And here is why:

First of all, issuing a response, as many church leaders such as Jim Wallis and Brian McLaren have done, would seem redundant. What else could one say that has not already been said.

Secondly why give Beck what he wants. When any of these grandstanding TV hosts make these statements, they are inviting controversy and condemnation, which is good for ratings. Adding to that by a vehement defense only feeds into what Beck wants. I am not going to give that to him.

When Jesus was before Pilate, he asked Jesus “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus response: “You have said so.” To paraphrase from the Gospel of Luke “even if I said yes you would not believe me.” Jesus knew his purpose, and knew who ultimately held the power. He did not need to defend it to anyone, least of all Pilate.

I know that my church which in it’s Articles of Faith and Social Principles speaks of justice and social holiness as our fulfilling the call of Christ on our lives. It is based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who calls us all to transform the world and bring about God’s kingdom here on Earth. Jesus also says that the people of his flock follow him because they know his voice. Others do not because they do not know his voice. Enough said.
Let Mr. Beck rant and say all he wants. I will continue to spread the Gospel and to quote St. Francis, “If necessary use words.”