"BUT WHAT I SAY IS, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"

We woke to the sound of helicopters circling over Woolwich town centre, just a 15 min. bus ride down the hill.  The terrible murder there yesterday afternoon has left a sense of fear, insecurity and confusion as the consequences unfold.

I am left with an image from today’s newspapers of one of the murderers wielding a blooded cleaver with the bold headline “It’s an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” and the claim that this act was done as a reprisal for the deaths of Muslims.  So, almost inevitably, there were further reprisals last night against Islamic targets and the threat today of street protests.  So the cycle goes on.

And into my mind comes the only solution: “You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also … You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:38-39 and 43-44. NRSV)  These are the words – these ‘hard teachings’ of Jesus – that need to be recalled by those who would claim the cross of Christ.  The flag of St. George is an emblem of Jesus’ teaching, not a rallying point for vengeance. 

Our hearts are capable of the worst atrocities and the most sublime acts of love.  Violence feeds all that leads to hatred and death and needs to be resisted.  Religious faith springs from the depths of our humanity and the Church needs to proclaim, loudly and clearly, the message of Christ at times such as this: to counter the violence that calls for the heart’s attention by directing us to the call that what will bring us to the fullness of life.  

It is right that we question why people feel called to commit such gross acts of violence against a fellow human-being, but we also need to be reminded that, in the end, it is the heart needs to be converted to that compassionate love which Christ showed by his love and taught his disciples.

THE RAPE OF EVE

Having watched the past two episodes of ‘Silent Witness’ (‘Trust’ and ‘True Love Waits’) I am deeply concerned at the level of violence against women portrayed in these.  In the first there were scenes of violent humiliation and degradation of women victims and the second featured knife attacks, physical brutality, gun-whipping and a woman being scalded with boiling water over a prolonged period.

Whilst understanding that this series uses violence and graphic, often shocking imagery for dramatic effect and recognising the quality of much of the production, I was left deeply troubled by what appeared to be an over-emphasis on these in relation to women to the point that seemed to border on the salacious.

Perhaps my own experience of knowing women who have been raped and the devastating effect this has had on them has sensitised me.  Also, these episodes were broadcast in the aftermath of global attention to the brutal rape of women in India and reflection of the way in which violence against women and girls is still a widespread problem in our own country.  The Government recently stated that 1 in 4 women will suffer domestic violence in their lifetime (http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-girls/strategic-vision/) and has made it clear that it seeks to act to prevent this. 

I am unclear as to what such levels of violence in ‘Silent Witness’ is meant to achieve.  As someone who finds violence offensive I recognise that it cannot be to me or others who share similar feelings.  Therefore I wonder if it must be directed to those who do not find themselves troubled by violence and, if so, what effect this has on them. 

My concern is that as violence against women (or, of course, anyone) becomes a norm on television it inevitably has a desensitising effect as reported by the Oxford Journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (19^th October, 2010): ‘Watching violent films, TV programmes or video games desensitises teenagers, blunts their emotional responses to aggression and potentially promotes aggressive attitudes and behaviour.’   I believe these latest episodes of ‘Silent Witness’ have moved from using violence with ‘high production values and an original and well-plotted storyline.’ (BBC Editorial Guidelines) to something that is of greater concern as society reflects on how violence against women is to be tackled.  I believe programme makers and editors have to accept that television has a role to play in the way violence is regarded.