Indiana Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith is no stranger to controversy. Indeed, he seems to revel in courting it. Thus, it was no surprise that the second most powerful person in Indiana is currently under fire for stating the following:
“We’re giving people permission to hate again, and I know that sounds a little harsh at first, but we’ve seen this movement to eradicate hate in our culture. That is the worst thing we could do.”
Beckwith, who also holds the title of pastor, was a guest last week on Flashpoint, a stridently conservative Christian talk show. Mr. Beckwith’s remarks reflect his view of Islam. Importantly, he appeared on the show while wearing a shirt featuring the insignia of the Lieutenant Governor. This gesture signaled that Beckwith spoke in his official capacity.
As an Evangelical Christian, I disagree with many tenets of Islam. For example, Islam teaches that Jesus — whom Muslims refer to as “Isa, son of Mary” — is merely a human prophet. Christianity teaches that Jesus is the unique, divine Son of God. Thus, while Christianity and Islam both acknowledge Jesus, their respective teachings regarding His divinity are not compatible.
“Beckwith’s words could give cover to people who seek to commit violence against Muslims or people of other faiths, especially given our political environment.”
However, such disagreements should never result in violence, whether physical or verbal, by people of either (or any) religious tradition. Beckwith’s words could give cover to people who seek to commit violence against Muslims or people of other faiths, especially given our political environment.
Beckwith even condemned several faith groups — pointing out Jewish people in particular — who came together to issue a joint statement of condemnation against his remarks. That statement was not only an act of solidarity; it was an act of self-defense. As we frequently see in this country, religious minorities — whether they be Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, or other faith traditions — are at risk of verbal attacks, physical harassment and even murder.
During the program referenced above, Beckwith also said, “I hate Islam. It’s a demonic death cult.” In other words, he objects to certain passages in the Koran, which he believes lead Muslims to commit violent acts.
There is no question that certain passages in the Koran have been used to justify unspeakable acts of terror over the centuries. Of course, it is also true that certain passages in the Bible — the book that I believe to be Holy — have been used to justify unspeakable acts of terror. This is especially true of the Old Testament. In fact, given the abject biblical illiteracy of many of my fellow Christians, millions of them would find it very difficult to identify whether certain troubling passages were found in the Bible as opposed to the Koran.
Further, given the fact that the Bible is much older than the Koran, religious zealots have committed heinous acts in the name of Yahweh/Jehovah or Jesus for much longer than religious zealots have committed atrocities in the name of Allah. More recently, people who identified as Christians engaged in the intentional, systematic and nearly successful genocide of indigenous people from what is now the United States. Further, white nationalists today often point to the example of Phineas in Numbers 25 to commit acts of violence against Jews, non-whites and LGBTQ people.
Of course, violent passages in sacred texts have caused millions of people to reject religion altogether. Yet, as I share with my atheist friends, rejection of God does not inherently mean embracing humane treatment of others. I remind them that three atheists — Joseph Stalin, Mao Zedong, and Adolf Hitler — are responsible for the unjustifiable deaths of more human beings than any other combination of people in the history of the world.
“… Beckwith’s views regarding Islam conveniently ignore the unspeakable violence that Christian extremism has played throughout history …”
In any case, Beckwith’s views regarding Islam conveniently ignore the unspeakable violence that Christian extremism has played throughout history — not to mention the role that it plays in U.S. foreign and domestic policy today.
Moreover, Beckwith ignores several biblical lessons regarding how Christians should share our faith. For example, 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (NIV) Mr. Beckwith would do well to adhere to Peter’s admonition.
Moreover, given that most Christians argue that we are “under grace” as opposed to being “under the law” (as required in the Old Testament), one has to ask how Christian violence in the name of God has been seen as valid throughout history.
In short, there is no legitimate exegetical, hermeneutical, or epistemological justification for Christians to engage in violence — other than in cases of self-defense or “just war” theology as developed by Christians such as Augustine and, centuries later, Aquinas. Moreover, Jesus’ own teachings, such as in the parable of the so-called “Good Samaritan,” offer a clear blueprint for how Christians are to coexist with people who believe differently than we do.
In the end, many religions teach many things in which I do not believe. But I do believe in a God who gives all people the right to believe whatever they want to believe. By extension, that means that we are not to kill, or even to hate, people who believe differently than we do. Doing otherwise is simply incompatible with actual Christianity.
Thus, Mr. Beckwith does not represent Christianity; he represents Christian nationalism. Those two belief systems bear only a passing resemblance to each other. His statements, on which he has doubled down, confirm as much. Christianity compels us to understand that, if the Muslim is not your brother, God is not your Father. I say the same to Muslims, Jews, and people of any religious tradition who claim to be children of God.
Mr. Beckwith is known for strongly opposing the separation of church and state. I call upon him to stand for the separation of church and hate.
Contact community leader Larry Smith at larry@leaf-llc.com.
, as long as one does not hate Muslims (i.e., the people). Beckwith is in that camp. But that argument is not some spiritual escape hatch that absolves Christians of anti-Christian behavior. It is a proverbial wink at violent speech and actions that are directed against people of other faiths. Hateful speech nearly always precedes and pre-justifies hateful actions.){kind=link}