When Evil Demands Response

I know many voices have been raised against the hate-fueled act of terrorism carried out this past weekend and week, and I believe it is important for me to add my own, even though I doubt I'm saying anything you haven't heard already.

It has taken me a long time, but I am finally learning that besides taking part or joy in the evil, one of the worst things we can do in these instances is to say nothing.  When we let these things happen without comment and without condemnation, is it not the same as telling the world it doesn't bother us?  Inaction is, in fact, an action.

Here in Atlanta (and also at my church), Martin Luther King Jr. comes into conversation often, and he's naturally one of the first speakers and activists I think of when I'm looking for advice on how to react in situations like these.

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"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. "

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

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There is much I'd like to say in regards to the politics and public reactions I've come across this week, but today, this post is just focusing on what I believe to be the most important facet of this situation.  Evil is evil, we cannot stand for it, and we cannot let it roll over us without affecting us.  Let it move us to speak and move us to action.  Let it move us to love.

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth124474.html

He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth124474.html