THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 13, 1996 TAG: 9607120081
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Issues of Faith
SOURCE: Betsy Wright
LENGTH: 79 lines
JOHN GRISHAM, the lawyer-turned-hit-novelist, has done a really cool thing.
Flexing some of his well-earned clout, the novelist vetoed a certain actor from playing the hero in the movie version of Grisham's novel, ``A Time to Kill.'' The actor had earlier played the vicious lead in Oliver Stone's controversial film, ``Natural Born Killers.''
A friend of Grisham's was murdered by two kids who'd just seen that film, according to a newspaper article. Reportedly, Grisham wants no part of anyone who had anything to do with a film that glorified senseless violence and portrayed murderers as heroes.
As I read the newsclip about the incident, a little voice inside my head shouted: ``Good for you, John Grisham. Three cheers!''
At least that was my knee-jerk reaction. The more I thought about it, however, the more uneasy I felt. Grisham is a writer who has generously used violence in his novels, but he's now appointed himself a moralist to criticize an actor's portrayal of a violent character.
``But wait a minute,'' countered Voice No. 2. ``The violence in Grisham's books isn't really gratuitous or senseless. He writes about how common folks react to violence when it's forced upon them.''
``It's still violence,'' said Voice No. 1.
``But it's not the same,'' replied Voice No. 2.
What is it that makes one type of violence seem all right and another seem reprehensible? Is there such a thing as acceptable violence? Does God condone any type of violence?
Throughout the history of religion, humans have often interpreted their deities in violent terms. From the earliest cave dwellers who battled for food to the modern-day warriors of the football field, humans have often asked God to bless their fights and struggles.
What is the war chant of every human race and creed? ``God is on our side.''
Isn't it ironic, then, that every world religion believes peace to be one of the most desirable fruits of salvation. All the world religions see inner peace as the mark of a firm faith. Among the Abrahamic faiths - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - outward peace, or world peace, is seen as something that comes directly from God. World peace will come, they believe, when human beings allow the love of God to break down the walls of hostility between them.
How is it that people of faith are so dual-minded about violence and peace? I think it goes back to the John Grisham thing. Most humans have a real inner conflict going on when it comes to violence.
Some types of violence - self-defense, the killing of ``bad guys,'' fighting for a loved one - seem all right to us. Other types of violence - a senseless killing, hurting a child, two drunks fighting over a spilt beer - these types of violence seem bad or just plain dumb.
Is this all right with God? Does God want humans to resort to violence or to condone violence? From what I can tell from the different Scriptures of the different faiths, it depends on the stakes.
If it means using violence - going to war, for example, to stop Hitler and the Nazi government - then yes, I believe God condones violence. It becomes a necessary evil.
If it means, however, that I rationalize going to see a sci-fi, violence-filled thriller like ``Independence Day,'' all-the-while telling myself I'm a ``good person'' because I refuse to see anything with Freddy Krueger in it. . . . well then, I don't think God buys that malarky one little bit. That kind of condoning of violence, I believe, is not acceptable to God.
I know it in my heart. I just don't always follow that wisdom. And so, I sin. With one side of my mouth I condemn violence, condoning it out the other side. I am dual-minded. A hypocrite. A very human human.
Does it matter? Of course it does. Not only does God see my hypocrisy, but so do my friends, my family and my children.
And so I continue to struggle with the violence thing, wishing I were a stronger, better person. Failing often, especially when the voyeuristic pugalist in me rises up, begging to see the latest Schwarzenegger movie. . . or crack open the latest Grisham novel. MEMO: Every other week, Betsy Mathews Wright publishes responses to her
opinion column. Send responses to Issues of Faith, The Virginian-Pilot,
150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, Va. 23510; call (804) 446-2273; FAX
(804) 436-2798; or send e-mail to bmw(AT)infi.net. Deadline is Tuesday
before publication. You must include name, city and phone number. by CNB