Bread and Circuses

Anyone who has ever been in a class with me knows that I like to ask questions. Lots of questions.

I have tried, honestly I have, to just shut up and not put my hand up and not ask questions that I know will make half the class groan because I am taking up time. I try not to put my hand up with the answer every time the teacher asks a questions. I try really hard!! But something happens to me when I try and restrain myself. My insides get all fluttery, my hands can shake, I start to get nervous for the teacher standing up the front in silence because no one is answering, I feel physically ill. So, without fail, I will put my hand up.

It's an illness.

What surprises me every time are the number of people for whom this is not the case! For so many people they put their heads down, try and appear invisible, pray that their name won't be called, and sigh with relief when it is all over.

My brain doesn't compute this.

Because I see it as inherently important to be brave enough to ask questions. I see it as a fundamental part of life to challenge those that have the power/knowledge, to learn from them as much as possible, and to share when I think I have knowledge that someone may need. It may be annoying as all heck when you are in the class with me, but later on in life I think the fear of putting one's hand up can becoming crippling to society.

The Romans use to have a saying that goes like this:

Panem et Circenses

In English that translates to "Bread and Circuses".

It was a saying used to indicate that a society of people with full bellies and enough entertainment will give up any responsibility they have in politics and therefore their power. It is a saying full of cynicism and, scarily, not just a little truth. My take on it today would be "Meals and Movies".

This giving up of the power to speak into society and change things didn't end when the Roman Empire fell. Today, in the United States, the voting for the person who will be the most powerful man (or woman) in the world is taking place. And a lot of people won't vote. They won't vote for a lot of reasons, but one of the big ones among the 20 year old's will be that they can't be bothered because how does it relate to them?

During the election on Parliament in New Zealand in the last couple of years there was a decrease, yet again, of people in certain age groups who didn't vote. Talking to my friends who didn't choose to vote, one of the common lines was that neither of the main political parties will change much about "my" life so why bother?

We don't vote because we don't care. We are happy, with full tummies and enough money to entertain ourselves, why does it matter who is in charge. We have given up our power by ignoring our political responsibilities.

It goes further though.

This giving up of the power to speak out is rampant throughout our communities.

You go into schools and children are too afraid of bullying to act too smart or speak up in class with something intelligent. 

In churches people are more concerned about the quality of the coffee and chat afterwards than really paying attention to the sermon, challenging or questioning the pastor on their points, or even calling out answers if a speaker asks a question.

You go into work places and people are asked to lie to their bosses or make up figures, or they see work place bullying or sexual harassment and they are too embarrassed to put their neck out and draw attention to something that may result in them being fired.

We have become complacent, happy with what we have to the point that rocking the boat would be disastrous and costly and uncomfortable.

I believe this is true especially for Christians who don't want to appear 'Bible bashy' so they avoid talking to their mates or colleagues about their faith, about their doubts, or about their religion.  

We are afraid to speak out, believing that our actions will suffice. That if we act as a good Christian then words are unnecessary as surely our example will compel others to not only recognise Jesus in us but also to then accept him as Lord and Saviour.

All I ask is how?

How is someone suppose to know what they have not heard?

Our God is a talkative God. 

The universe was spoken into existence.

Moses was compelled to march up to Pharaoh by nothing more than a spoken promise. 

Abraham left his homeland on the back of a spoken promise too. 

Prophets left, right and centre were called with words and then went with words.

Jesus was tortured and killed for doing nothing more than preaching words.

The first thing that happened at Pentecost was the preaching of words.

The gospel spread through the passing on of words.

And now we are called into that conversation.

And it requires a lot of balls-iness to speak within the conversation.

It will mean people won't like what you have to say.

It will mean some people may not read my blog again.

It may mean you lose friends.

It may mean you shrink your church.

It may mean that people think you're a tad nuts.

But how will they hear if there is no one to speak?

Everyone of us is being called by God into a conversation that brings death and life. Death of the old and life in the new. And the words that are spoken to us should be so challenging, so changing, that we are compelled to share them in our broken and halting speech.

Don't be afraid of being responsible for speaking in God's power and changing the political, sociological, and societal landscapes of our world.

Throw away the bread, pack up the circuses, and be moved by the power that is the Word.