A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO ATROCITY PROPAGANDA

A new war has emerged since Hamas invaded Israel on 7 October.  This war has drawn innocent bystanders into the conflict to such an extent that one almost feels convicted if you remain neutral.  This is the war of Atrocity Propaganda

The war in Gaza has now turned into a human carnage with both sides relying heavily on “atrocity propaganda” and one-sided narratives to feed the confirmation bias that has become a trademark of human nature.

When it was reported that babies were being beheaded during the attack on 7 October, it seemed like the Western media eagerly embraced this atrocity without first seeking the hard evidence it demanded.  After all, this was a story that needed to be told as widely as possible, as quickly as possible and with as much detail as possible.  It was packaged and despatched as truth, even though no evidence was presented – not one single picture, only the word of an Israeli soldier on an Israeli news program (for a more detailed investigation visit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFtE9HMtiOc&t=629s)

But the news of the atrocity was the clickbait needed that drew many peace-loving people into the conflict.  It mobilised those who had little interest in the war to decide who was the hero and who was the villain in this story.  Without realising it, a whole people group, the Palestinians of Gaza, was dehumanised within one news event. The fact that the news was so easily and so quickly distributed as truth; and believed and shared with so much detail, especially within Christian circles, should be as much a concern as the possibility of the actual deed happening.

When Arab media reported that the Israel Defence Force attacked a hospital in Gaza and killing more than 500 people it became the platform for global protests and an outcry against Israel – without any concrete proof that it was not a Hamas missile that struck the hospital, as the IDF claimed it to be.  Stories of amputated limbs and body parts being strewn on the hospital grounds was once again an atrocity propaganda that angered many to the point of violating the very beliefs they proclaim; human dignity.  Once again, we found that, as Gary Sukav said, “What was behind our eyes held more power than what was in front of them.”   Our confirmation bias seems to not only digest atrocity propaganda quite easily, but it has become an unhealthy part of the Christian diet.

So, what is truth and how do we deal with it?  How do we survive the onslaught of atrocities that attacks more than just our sense of justice, when it aims at our souls.

Scripture provides ample answers in this regard.  To start with it might be wise for all couch-warriors, those fighting the war in front of their TV screens in the comfort of their homes, to consider Proverbs 18:2:   Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 

Beware of opinions.  Be even more careful of convictions.  Opinions are created, truth is discovered.  Opinions are interpretations, truth is found in Christ alone.  Sadly, most Christians base their convictions on a blend of truth, prejudice and opinion.

Secondly, the words of Stephen R. Covey spring to mind:  “We see the world, not as it is, but as we are.”  The simple reality is that if we feed our preconceived prejudices on the atrocities in Israel and Gaza it reveals more about who we are than we think.

So, we need to be careful what we say, to whom we say it and why we say it.  It might reveal more than just our bias, it might reveal a heart disconnected with the heart of the Father – the God who shows no favouritism (Romans 2:11), the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3) .  Sharing the stories of babies being beheaded births anger, resentment and disgust, three qualities that are the enemy of redemption.  Once the enemy can get us angry at someone, we abdicate the duty of praying for them.  Jesus came to seek and save the lost – this includes the IDF soldier, the Hamas terrorist, the Palestinian housewife and the Jewish boy.  No one is unredeemable and once we build up resentment against a group, we nullify the cross of inclusion.

So how do we respond?

Philippians 4:5-9  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 

Let us respond with a spirit of reconciliation and peace.  Words of war result in acts of war.  We cannot speak words of aggression and be considered peace-makers at the same time.  Oh. May God grant us the mercy to look at Gaza and Israel in the shadow of the cross.  May our gentleness be evident to all.  THEN, and only then, will the Lord be near,

Philippians 4:6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Let us pray, but not lob-sided prayers, praying for one group only.  Let our prayers reflect the heart of the One who will answer.  Pray for the unsaved to be redeemed.  Pray for the Sauls to become Pauls.  Pray for the victims to find the Great Comforter.  Pray for the Lord of providence that not one tear will be wasted .  Pray with eternity in mind

Philippians 4:7  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Let us seek the protection of our hearts before we seek the protection of others.  Satan is out to destroy the Christian witness by filling our hearts with an un-peace, a silent hatred and an unhealthy prejudice.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

Finally – think what you are thinking about.  Consider what you read, what you believe and what you share.  Our loyalties will reveal our priorities.  If you profess to STAND WITH ISRAEL or WITH PALESTINE, your loyalty is connected to people and not with the One who came to save Jew and Gentile.  Stand with a crucified Christ, who came to seek and save the lost and was resurrected for all.

But there is nothing lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy in these atrocities to think about – you might say!

Then turn your eyes upward, like Stephen did when he was stoned to death (Act 7:55  But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.)  And then proclaim with Stephen (56)  “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 

Take comfort that the God of comfort is standing in heaven, ready and waiting for people to cry out to Him.  He is not a distant far away God.  He is omni-present.  He is not an angry God.  He is the great Redeemer.  He is there, in Gaza and in Israel!  He stands!

Think about that!