Talking to the enemy

I don’t like the thought of talking to my enemies. I’d rather ignore them. Mind you, I don’t have many enemies, except the kids who recently vandalized my shiny black car with orange paint, or the girl who bullied me in grade 10 by sending me nasty notes.

When I imagine being face to face with these folks, it makes me cringe. My gut reaction is that they don’t deserve my time or attention.

That’s why I have utmost respect for people who sit with their enemies; who try to understand another person’s perspective; who believe conversation can build bridges of peace; who think that change is possible.

That’s why I’m following the Candace Derksen case so closely. Candace was 13 when she was killed. More than 22 years ago, her abduction and death rocked the Mennonite Brethren community in Winnipeg. Thanks to a recent break in the unsolved mystery, Candace’s parents will walk into a courtroom and face the man accused of their daughter’s murder. They will meet their enemy. (See Wilma Derksen’s reflection, page 23.)

Some say that talking to your opponents is the smartest thing you can do. As one Chinese proverb says, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

Mennonite Central Committee is getting national coverage (and scrutiny) for its dialogue with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and for ongoing academic exchanges with the Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute. Both the seminary and leader dismiss accusations of links with terrorism, yet expatriate Iranians remain skeptical, accusing MCC of “dancing with wolves.” (See “Protestors disrupt Mennonite Muslim dialogue,” page 21.)

Is MCC being intentionally naïve in arranging peace talks, holding inter-faith conferences, and giving quilts to a president who may or may not have dubious connections? Are MCC efforts putting vulnerable Iranian Christians at risk? Is the organization allowing itself to be manipulated by Muslim leaders, becoming a publicity pawn to increase Western sympathy?

Or is MCC following Jesus’ advice to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16) in conducting its international affairs? Are MCC representatives truly building bridges, loving enemies, and fighting the evils of religious intolerance and exclusion? Will these small efforts make any difference in larger world affairs, or will they simply attract public controversy?

Only time will tell.

Mark Baker, professor at Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno, Cal., reminded participants at the Pastors Credentialing and Orientation that we’re peacemakers, not because we think the peace position “works,” or because it’s a quick and efficient fix for all the world’s troubles. We’re peacemakers simply because we follow Jesus. It’s the path marked out for us by the Lord.

Sometimes peacemaking doesn’t make a huge, or even visible dent in evil. Sometimes it leads to the cross. Sometimes resurrection and rebirth will only happen in the distant future. In that case, history will be the judge of our actions.

Until then, we’ll wait. And, perhaps, we’ll even share a quilt and some conversation with our enemies.