Article created for local Wellington Weekly Newspaper Christian Comment:
Justice in our community can be exceptionally challenging in
these days of social media. Barely a day goes by without someone posting
something that they want justice or resolution over from within the town. Posts
are either very specific with photos “to name and shame” or more general with a
“yet again” feel about it. Often posts are anonymous for fear of reprisal or
online harassment. The way we do justice, mercy, restoration, forgiveness has
now changed; not necessarily for the better.
On the other hand, local social media can be advantageous in
some circumstances where a missing person needs to be found, or a tragic hit
and run where no obvious witnesses saw what happened. Other scenarios too.
Recently I was assaulted in one of our local parks. I was so
shocked that I immediately wanted “something to happen” and was sorely tempted
to post something. I had to drive myself not to do so, simply because these are
not my values.
Irony: the majority of people reading this will be doing so
in traditional newspaper form. Not many will therefore be aware of the online
tensions being frequently played out. Our local A/S Sarjeant has requested that
this doesn’t take place and that statutory procedures, where appropriate are
followed.
No part of this is easy to think about and reflect upon, except
to ponder whether we have lost the ways of mercy, forgiveness, setting right
disagreements and sitting down with others and talking through different opinions
and views in a mature but appropriate way. Particularly where we see low key
frustration, annoyance and modern-day tension, rather than being specifically
criminal.
As a Christian, I find a different model of justice, mercy
and reconciliation in the Bible. Scripture tells us to go quietly and seek reconciliation
one-to-one. To seek peace and forgiveness, not revenge. To examine my own
motives, speech and actions and to see if there was any offense in me. To heal
and restore and grow with others rather than create further alienation. To live
in peace with others as far as it is possible.
It might be that we need to “unlearn” some of the new ways
of communicating, and in such instances make peace face to face.
Revd Sam Griffiths is the Minister of Wellington Baptist
Church
