Silence is Not Violence

What if the world needs fewer words, not more? What if silence is not violence and extra words are nothing more than virtue signaling?

Recently, an organization I am affiliated with released a letter. There was nothing wrong with the letter. I actually agreed with the letter and the sentiment in the letter. But, as I read the letter, I wondered if it was necessary. The letter accomplished nothing. The information in that letter was not new or novel, no one who read the letter was surprised by it or even informed. Instead, the letter was released just so that leaders within the organization could make sure that their voices of agreement were heard.

We have reached a place in society where we are expected to have a public opinion on almost every issue, but is this healthy?

Someone (Though not likely Edmund Burke)once said, “When good men do nothing, evil prevails.” That statement has often driven me to act when I was tempted to sit on the sidelines of life. However, in a world where our silence is equated with violence, two things should be considered before we speak:

First, words are not action. The idea that a twitter hashtag or a Facebook status update has great impact on the world is a fantasy, unless you are Elon Musk. For most of us, our social media updates and car bumper stickers will not effect change. Of course there are times when a few words make a significant impact, but if you are passionate about a cause, you need to do more than sit in your recliner and edit a cool graphic for instagram. Go be the change in the world.

Second, silence is not acquiescence. The fact that I do not have an opinion about an issue doesn’t mean that I am a bad person or that I don’t care. I may not have an opinion because I don’t have enough information to form an opinion. I may not have an opinion because the situation does not actually affect or impact me or because I have not been made aware of the situation. It may also be the case that I don’t share an opinion because my opinion on the situation doesn’t actually matter.

The ability to have real-time information about the happenings of the world at our finger tips is a new phenomenon. Along with this new phenomenon has come the idea that everyone everywhere should have a public opinion about everything.

But, that is a fantasy. And, not a healthy fantasy.

If I have an opinion about an event that took place on the other side of the world but I neglect to care for my neighbor across the street, am I loving well? If I form an uneducated, but passionate and popular opinion on an environmental impact study in Antarctica, have I really helped anyone or anything?

Increasingly, I wonder if our world might not be healthier if we spoke fewer words, not more.

Proverbs 10:19 says, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

Proverbs 17:28 encourages, “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Proverbs 18:2 warns, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Is our addiction to so many words and opinions an indication of our social awareness, or is it merely an indication of our foolishness as a culture? James 1:19 urges Christians to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Maybe silence isn’t violence. Maybe silence is humility. But, it isn’t only humility. When we limit our words and our public opinions, then the words and opinions we choose to share carry more weight and conviction.

Is silence violence? Sometimes, it probably is. But, more often than not, choosing to be silent may say more about your own self-awareness than it does about the situation you chose to not speak into.

Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash