January 6, 2022 should be a day of lament for Christians

We, the undersigned, lament that Christian practices and symbols were used by persons who invaded the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The cross was displayed along with a gallows. Persons knelt in prayer before engaging in violent action. The name of Jesus was displayed (“Jesus Saves” and “Jesus 2020”) on the clothes of attackers. Someone waved a Christian flag inside the Capitol building. The Bible was carried like a shield.

These actions horrified, angered, and saddened us.

We rebuke the use of Christianity to justify and whitewash violence.

Violence is not Jesus’ way. The way of Jesus Christ is expressed through proclaiming good news to the poor, working toward justice for the downtrodden, by showing compassion for the suffering, and through acts of loving kindness.

We recognize and lament that Christian symbols and practices have long been used, by ecclesial and political leaders, for purposes contrary to Jesus’ way. Christian communities must be ever-vigilant for the misuse of Christianity for anti-Christian purposes—including and especially among Christians.

The danger of Christian symbols and practices employed for unholy causes waxes and wanes in history; the danger is waxing today.

Therefore, we invite Christians whose traditions would allow the feast day of January 6, 2022 (Feast of the Epiphany) to be observed instead as a day of repentance, reflection, fasting, prayer, and lament.

We invite signers to share this statement via social media.

Written by the Rev. Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend

Executive Director, Center for Religion in Public Life

Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, Oklahoma