Faith communities can be
antidotes to systemic violence

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Faith and Violence Conference Coordinator Ann Farley, left, with presenters Jon and Lisa Pahl: Strong religion can be an antidote for society's systemic violence.

In a society embroiled in systemic violence on many levels, strong religion including advocacy by concerned parishioners in the health care community can be a powerful antidote.

An audience of some 30 health care workers, including parish nurses as well as pastors and chaplains, heard that advice march 16 from Jon and Lisa Pahl during a conference at the Seminary on "Violence and the Faith Community. Dr. Jon Pahl is Associate Professor of the History of Religion in North America at LTSP. His spouse, Lisa, is a clinical specialist for Philips Medical Systems in Philadelphia.

The presenters traced the patterns of violence across society. Jon Pahl noted first the impact of September 11 and the post-traumatic stress leading to public concerns for safety and a deepening awareness of personal fragility. He described the event as a "manifestation of religious-inspired violence," saying that weak religion can be a means of promoting violence. (Sexual misconduct in faith communities is an example of "weak" religion.) But he also noted the significance of bridge-building. Just as the Brooklyn Bridge paved the way for many to escape and begin to heal, so strong religious communities can build bridges of healing to both prevent and recover from the effects of violence.

The presenters dramatically cited the many levels of violence. Some, such as crimes, are obvious. But beneath the obvious are layers of violence instigators. They include economic and social injustices, inequalities in housing, employment and income, and various forms of cultural violence, such as racism and hatred. "Such indirect violence is more responsible for deaths than direct violence caused by knives and guns," Jon Pahl ventured. Women, African-Americans and Latinos, and especially children are groups the couple cited as victims of inequality and justice. Factors leading to violence include inequities in health insurance coverage, corporate greed and the failure of faith communities to more vigorously oppose such injustices. For example, two-thirds of employed women do not have a pension plan. The average age of a homeless person is 9. Only 1.8 percent of the federal budget covers welfare, they said. "Yet the outcry continues to reduce it further," the couple said. Scapegoating is a major societal response to violence, the Pahls said. "Youth are blamed for a tragedy like Columbine," Jon Pahl noted. "But the systemic problems of the culture leading to violence, which are complex, get ignored."

Faith communities can respond to the problem by first being motivated to do something, producing friendship networks out of congregations, spending time reflecting on the issues and learning the facts about what is behind violence. At the same time, they can be future-oriented in their planning to deal with violence issues. They can help people to know that acts of violence cannot be forgotten. They are irreversible. But they can also aid people to move toward reconciliation.

The day included a series of workshops on topics like domestic violence, stigmatization and scapegoating, the impact of violence on children, and shame-based culture.

Workshop leaders included the Pahls, Ann Adalist-Estrin, Director of a Samaritan Counseling Center program called BRIDGES; Dr. Erik Heen, Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at LTSP; and Diane Steinbrink of the Jewish Family and Children Service, Philadelphia.

The event was co-sponsored by LTSP and the Social Ministry Committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.