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When Silence Is Not Golden

by the President of ICC

I write this article not merely because I feel obligated to do so as having worked for more than a decade as an advocate for the countless number of Christians persecuted for their faith. Instead, I write this out of a deep moral conviction that the church in America has committed a grave sin -- the sin of silence.

Let me begin by quoting from our Lord nearly 2,000 years ago, "I was sick and in prison and you visited Me not (Matthew 25:43)." The question was then asked of the Lord: "When did we see you in prison?" (vs. 44). The resounding reply of Jesus is as much directed at us today as it was to His followers then: "Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these [My brethren], ye did it not to Me (vs.45)."

In my travels I have met with many Christians who are contending and struggling against forces that seek to destroy their faith. These believers are fighting a spiritual war, which often becomes physical, because of their determination to live their faith. They fight not with guns. They commonly lack political might. In most cases their voices are brutally silenced.

It is the testimony of believers like these whose message has been etched deeply into my heart, more than any speech ever written by the greatest of theologians, more than any sermon ever preached. It is these who have demonstrated to me what dignity and grace is truly all about. I have observed in their lives a dignity that surpasses all the accomplishments of those whom the world deems as heroes of this modern age.

These Christians who have been persecuted for their faith have endured imprisonment, been subjected to brutal beatings, suffered tremendous torture, endured the confiscation of their property, and travailed through the loss of loved ones.

Nevertheless, there are many "experts" involved in missions who side with the politicians and businessmen who believe that the answer to sparing these Christians additional harm is for us to remain silent. From much of what I have seen, I am convinced that such arguments are self-preserving and less aimed at truly helping those who are daily facing persecution.

As well-intentioned as they may be, those in Christian leadership who limit their vision to the "engagement" policy that is shared by politicians and business leaders may be misguided. The term "engagement" has come to mean "let's talk, let's deal." Despite the fact that nothing more is done than talk and little is accomplished but making deals, the "engagement" policy becomes nothing more than maintaining the status-quo.

The so called "confrontational" approach shared by many advocates for the persecuted, which believes in a "no action no rewards" policy, comes under fire by those interested in only maintaining the status-quo. A study of history will most certainly prove that platitudes, promises and the carrot of prosperity will only further increase apathy and futility, ultimately giving way to the deeds of the oppressors.

Meanwhile, it is the believers who are in the middle of the fray, fighting for their faith, while we who can do something, who can speak out, remain silent. When it comes to whether or not we should speak up for persecuted Christians and take action, there is seldom heard any dissenting voice from those who are enduring in the midst of persecution.

The two most common forms of dissent from among the persecuted church are the result of failed policies in the West. This "dissent" is really better defined "apprehension." The first comes from the influence of western Christians who have persuaded the leaders in persecuted communities that firm U.S. action will mean greater economic hardship for the ones whom such measures are intended to help.

Secondly, there are those among the persecuted Christian community who feel that intervention from the West is a futile effort. This latter reasoning is sadly more often than not a true assessment. They have become disillusioned with a failed U.S. foreign policy as well as on-again-off-again actions taken by the American Christian community.

The persecuted church has witnessed only too often the U.S. government and the American church focusing on single incidents of persecution. In other words, we Americans are only occasionally speaking out against persecution, only to have our voices soon fall silent. This inconsistency decreases the credibility of the American church, lessening its influence, and resulting in renewed persecution.

Moreover, some leaders among the persecuted church are disillusioned with American politicians who only give lip service to the plight of the persecuted. The U.S. Congress can easily pass resolutions that are merely filled with lofty words and empty promises, producing no tangible results. The end result is business as usual and the severity of persecution continues undaunted.

The only other opposition I have encountered to our speaking up for the persecuted has come from the ranks of those who have much to lose in terms of jeopardizing their business-as- usual attitude in those countries where Christians are routinely being molested. This attitude is common among secular corporations involved in trade, but is not limited to corporations. Many Christian ministries also share in the sin of money changing in the temple. They too stand to lose a great deal financially should the status-quo be disrupted.

On a positive note, there has been positive results from having taken active measures to curb persecution of Christians. We can look at the positive effects of the public outcry in the U.S. against the persecution of Christians and Jews during the communist reign in the Soviet Union. We have witnessed the destruction of a totalitarian regime in Romania shortly after the U.S. Congress suspended Most Favored Nation status. That action was followed by an infusion of boldness in the Christians of a small town in Romania, which in turn spurred the revolution that ended decades of despotism and brutality as a cruel dictatorship crumbled in less than 24 hours.

I personally witnessed firsthand the release of 29 Christians from prison and hundreds of others acquitted of charges for having witnessed for Christ in Nepal. Their release was because some of us cared and dared to speak out.

Imagine for a moment what it must have been like when Moses began speaking out on behalf of the people of Israel who were in bondage in Egypt. God told Moses, "I make you as God to Pharaoh" (Exodus 7:1). With God-given orders, Moses and Aaron spoke up. Nevertheless, the ruling authority of the day continued to oppress the people of God. Despite the repeated cries from Moses, "Let my people go," Pharaoh refused to change his ways. In fact, we read that after Moses spoke up on behalf of God's people, Pharaoh oppressed the people even more.

The persecuted people themselves came to Moses saying, "You have made us odious in Pharaoh's sight and in the sight of his servants, to put a sword in their hand to kill us (Exodus 5:21)." So, it is not unusual for the persecuted to even complain when God reveals the wickedness of the oppressor. Was what Moses was doing wrong? Should he have remained silent? Certainly not. God's purpose was to use Moses to expose wickedness and oppression, just as God would so desire to use the church today.

In one respect, we too are being called to be "as God" as we speak out on behalf of God's people who are being persecuted today. Once again, God desires to expose the hardness of hearts and the wickedness of the oppressors, holding them accountable to God for their deeds. In the end, the people of Israel were set free, but not until one man obeyed God's call to speak out. Moses broke the silence.

Silence most certainly is not golden. Just as an otherwise unknown king named Lemuel spoke up in his time, his words speaks to our generation today, "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute (Proverbs 31:8)."

International Christian Concern is a human rights organization based in Washington, D.C. that serves as a watchdog and advocate for religious freedom worldwide.

Originally Posted:  October 13, 1997

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