As I considered what to write for this space, it seemed good sense to write about something relevant to our lives here in the Random Lake area—perhaps a pleasant reflection on spring incorporating the Christian notion of hope.  

But this past week something truly sinful and ugly became part of our life.  The details of the letter sent to the owner of Random Elegance in Silver Creek do not bear repeating, but the act itself must be addressed.  Though a number of us area clergy were signatories to a letter to the editor, more on the subject of racism in the context of religion should be said.

The person who wrote that letter and made that drawing turned his or her face away from a neighbor and away from God in selfishness and fear.  The act was sinful in its separating neighbor from neighbor and the writer from God.  It was anathema to the teachings of Christ, offensive to the sensibilities of the community, and a crime at odds with the moral principles of the nation.

But the disturbing truth is that though it was done in secret, it was not done in isolation.  It was unique in its unabashed malice, but it came, uncomfortable as it is to admit, from one of us .  Reassuring as it might be for us to condemn this action (and rightfully so), we would do well to consider whether we harbor any similar animosity in our own hearts.

Do we tell or encourage racist jokes and comments?   Are we silent when our faith would call us to speak?  What do we teach our children?  What behavior do we encourage in our friends?  The question this letter raises is:  What have we done that someone among us would feel free to act this way, even in cowardly animosity?

In the 8th chapter of John Jesus is presented with a woman caught in adultery and is asked what should be done with her, given that the law of Moses requires she be stoned.  Jesus neither discounts the validity of the Torah nor dismisses her offense.  His response is familiar to many of us: Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.  And the reaction of the crowd is to slowly disperse.  The situation and Jesus’ words called them to examine their own hearts.

I am not suggesting that because we are not perfect we are not in a position to condemn this letter.  To put it plainly, this is the bigoted act of a...well, "jerk."  But we err if we think this has nothing to do with us.  And we err if we think it is our attitude regarding race that alone needs scrutiny.  Every perceived difference--race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, body shape, income level, gender, belief, etc. presents us with the danger of judging a neighbor as unworthy of our acceptance and care.  

May we in our just condemnation of another’s action be as rigorous in examination of our own lives as well.