Tag Archives: Justice

Headlines, Questions & Identity

The news headlines in recent times have reminded us of the many complex, traumatic and horrendous circumstances facing the international community.  At the same time, news headlines here in Ireland repeatedly reveal similarly complex, traumatic and tragic circumstances facing us in our own towns and cities.

Ireland has not experienced a military invasion like Ukraine.  We are not directly experiencing a major conflict with national, regional and geopolitical ramifications like what is occurring in Gaza and Israel.  Nor has our country deteriorated into civil war as is happening in Sudan. 

But we are experiencing increasing instances of individual and group behaviour that a number of years ago would have been unimaginable.  A young woman murdered while taking a daytime walk along a small town’s civic amenity.  Small children lining up outside their Dublin school attacked by a man wielding a knife.  People who may have been born in another country, many who have become Irish citizens, viciously attacked on our streets. The street violence, burning publicly owned vehicles, vandalising property and looting retail shops which took place on 23rd November are further examples of how societal norms are under threat by those who seem to operate with a completely different worldview.

As a development and relief organisation, much of Tearfund Ireland’s work takes place in Ethiopia.  Two years ago a major internal conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia cost thousands of lives, displaced hundreds of thousands of people and added further strain on the efforts to build resilience and reduce poverty in the region.  Although that conflict has largely ceased, there are regions around the country in which ethnic tensions continue to boil over into disorder and violence.  I recently spoke to an Ethiopian friend who, living in his hometown, commented that he doesn’t always feel safe in his own city. 

The Tearfund Ireland office is located in a part of Dublin’s North Inner City which has been in the Irish headlines the last few months.  Although none of our staff have had negative experiences, we are extremely aware of the risks and concerns frequently faced by people living and working in this area.  Especially when a significant percentage of our team do not look or sound Irish born – because we’re not.  But we have made our home here and desire to contribute to the overall good of Irish society.

This is one reason I am perplexed by what seems to be a common reaction whenever a tragic wrong is perpetrated against another person.  Why does it seem that our first response is to attempt to blame someone in a position of authority?  Why is our loudest public outcry to question why the Gardaí weren’t able to stop the crime from happening?  At what point do we, as an Irish society, accept the fact that we need to begin having some difficult conversations? 

Tearfund Ireland is a Christian organisation and, because of our faith perspective, we hold a conviction that the problems facing societies around the world are not unsurmountable.  We believe all these problems are the result of an internal brokenness – a broken relationship between us and God, which affects all our relationships.  But we also believe these broken relationships can be restored. 

We work with people who are living in extreme poverty, suffering near-famine conditions, internally displaced and in conflict with their ethnically diverse neighbour.  We have seen countless people in these circumstances experience a holistic transformation, where relationships are restored, resilience is built and they interdependently face the challenges of life with increased hope and esteem. 

The similarities between our Irish headlines and that of our international neighbours reminds us that we truly are a global world.  The brokenness, frailties and criminality of humanity are experienced by all.  But these harmful outcomes of human brokenness do not have to be the final word of our collective story.  

I believe God created all people in His image. Creation implies design.  Design implies intent.  Intention implies purpose.  Therefore, since we have been created with a purpose, we have an opportunity, or responsibility, to co-create the society in which we live.

Let us search for creative solutions to the problems we face.  Let us maturely and wisely interrogate the basis of the distorted, broken thinking which plagues our societies.  Let us embrace our divine purpose and co-create a better future for ourselves and for the generations who come after us.   

We are better than what we’re seeing in the headlines.

We can do better.  We can become a better society.

Sean Copeland, 27 November 2023

Flight or Fight

Jesus had a remarkable ability to engage and captivate people from all walks of life.  The stories he told revealed the nature of God, provided guidance for how to live and correction to long-held religious assumptions.  

One of Jesus’ most well-known stories is the Good Samaritan (Lk 10.25-37).  The continued popularity of this story, even among those who are not followers of Jesus, is likely due to its universal application and relevance.  Jesus told the story to explain how to love one’s neighbour, but, like most of Jesus’ stories, the parable of the Good Samaritan is layered with multiple messages which we should be careful not to ignore.

In response to a question from someone asking, “…who is my neighbour?”, Jesus crafted a story about a man who was attacked, beaten, robbed and left injured on a roadside. Two people of religious status passed by the injured man, but a man who would have been considered an enemy is the one who stopped, gave first aid, transported the injured man to safety and then paid for additional care to be provided.

The actions of the characters in the story set up a drastic contrast which confronted the worldview of the listeners. The two people who, based on their vocation and status, would have been expected to stop and give assistance chose not to stop and help. The reasons for their inaction were not mentioned but could have been assumed based on their religious traditions.  Perhaps they were on religious business and did not want to become ‘unclean’…  Perhaps they feared for their own safety…

Even if the men in the story did not help because they feared doing so would put them in danger, difficulty or inconvenience; their perspective was flawed. By choosing not to help, when they had the opportunity to do so, these religious leaders failed to demonstrate love.  At the conclusion of the story Jesus’ answer to the question was clear, the neighbour was the one who demonstrated mercy to the injured man.      

In a different lesson, Jesus warned about another group of people at the opposite end of the spectrum; those who deliberately seek to do harm.  

In John 16.2 Jesus warned his followers of the harm that would likely come to them at the hands of others. He says, “…a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.”

Here Jesus warns about a group of people who are so committed God they are willing to kill another person and believe doing so is a service to God.  From their perspective, these people are convinced of their own righteousness which gives them permission to inflict harm on another person who has a different view, belief, or practice of devotion to God.

In the first story (Lk 10.31) the religious worldview chose to ignore someone who had been harmed, but in the second example (Jn 16.2) the religious worldview chose to inflict harm.   Both choices stemmed from a worldview that was based in some form of devotion to God and both groups, it was implied, felt they were justified in their decisions.  But Jesus made it clear that both were wrong.  In Luke 10.37 he said the people didn’t demonstrate love and in John 16.3 he said the people don’t know him or the Father.

While it may be easy to hear of these two negative examples and respond with something like, “Oh, those are two extremes, I’m not like either of those.”  It may be helpful to take time for critical reflection.

  • Have we ever chosen not to act when we could have done something to help another person who was in need?
  • Have we ever kept a distance from someone because they were from a different culture, ethnic or religious background?
  • Have we ever ‘cancelled’, spoken critically of, or distanced ourselves from someone because they disagreed with us?
  • Have we aligned ourselves with someone who justifies their abusive or violent behaviour against someone else?  

We’re familiar with the defence mechanisms of Fight or Flight.  In relationships we employ these through the manoeuvres of attack or withdraw.  It is important to remember that these mechanisms are based in fear.  When we make decisions based on fear, we are not making decisions from a posture of love.

The first group mentioned above operated in Flight.  They were, in some way, afraid of what would happen if they got involved so they withdrew from the person in need.  The second group operated in Fight.  They were afraid of someone expressing their love for God differently from their own and their means of dealing with this fear was to attack, harm or even kill.  Neither of these actions are borne out of love.  Neither action demonstrates concern or mercy for our neighbour.

At the risk of over-simplifying, our daily decisions lie somewhere along a spectrum between inaction or action, flight or fight.  Regardless of our background, culture, or perspective we each have opportunities to demonstrate mercy, compassion and love to someone in need.  That person may be a work colleague, someone who lives on our road or someone who is our global neighbour.  Right now, many of our global neighbours need us to demonstrate our compassion for them.  

Love does not ignore people in need.  Love does not harm (Rom 13:10).  Love does not fear because perfect love casts out fear(1 Jn 4:18).  

Let us continue learning from Our Father, seeking his grace to demonstrate love to others as he has loved us.

Sean Copeland, November 2023

Day 12, Day 6, Day 1

I’m at my keyboard 6 days after the people of Israel suffered a horrendous attack in which at least 1,200 civilians were brutally murdered.  The Israeli response has been swift and harsh with estimates of 1,300 inhabitants of Gaza killed.  By the time this article is posted those numbers will most certainly increase.

I’m sitting in a coffee shop.  At a nearby table sits a group of men deep in conversation.  Their conversation sounds intense.  Some are animated.  One is loud.  Another gesticulates with dramatic hand gestures while a younger man sits quietly and appears to have tears in his eyes.  I am drawn to them but attempt to mask my interest.  I recognise they are speaking Arabic, so I cannot understand what they are saying.  Given the context of the last 6 days, my imagination wanders…

Twelve days ago, in a country within the Middle East, I was sitting in a room with a group of different Arabic speaking men.  That room was full of people who were leading churches in parts of the world where their activity and message put their physical safety at risk.  Now, 12 days later, I recall the feelings of humility, respect and honour I felt simply to be able to meet these courageous men of passionate conviction.

Over the past six days I’ve found myself conflicted and confused at much of the public reaction to the heightened violence within the Middle East.  I’m surprised at the black and white positions put forward by many.  Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised – our society is increasingly polarised.  But I cannot help but wonder at the lack of nuance in much of the public discussion, especially in relation to a region with such historical complexity. 

I am a Christian.  I think I am mature enough to understand that my ethnicity, nationality and economic position each play a role in my biases and perceptions.  But, hopefully, my identity as a child of God has a stronger influence in my worldview than any of these.  My aim as a believer is to continually pursue my ongoing transformation through renewing my mind, loving God and loving my neighbour. 

I am a humanitarian.  My expectation is that all people, all ethnicities, all nationalities can live side-by-side in peace and with mutual respect.  I do not want to see anyone suffer injustice, oppression or violence – full stop.  I am even more confused when I hear people invoke the name of God to justify actions which are far removed from the character, nature and personality of God he chose to reveal through the life of Jesus.

Six days. 2,500 people dead.  Where is this going?  When will it end?  Where are those who dare to act on Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the peace-makers…” (Mt 5:9), “…love your enemy…” (Mt 5:44), and “love your neighbour as yourself” (Mk 12:31).

Twelve days ago I heard personal stories from people who have committed themselves to a life of service for ‘the other’.  These people are choosing to break down the dividing walls within their culture and society in order to build a better future for the coming generations. In the coffee shop my fellow patrons are leaving their tables.  I stop trying to pretend.  I intentionally attempt to make eye-contact with them.  Most don’t see me.  But, as he slides in his chair, the animated one looks my way.  We lock eyes.  I nod a friendly acknowledgement.  He returns my gaze with a nod and an ever-so-subtle smile.  For a moment we have contact.  For a moment we share a common humanity.  It’s a small action.  It won’t stop the bombs falling.  But, is it possible, that societal change could begin with an action as small as eye contact and a smile?

Sean Copeland, October 2023

Risking Love

The noisy cafeteria went instantly silent.  I could feel my heart pounding inside my chest as I locked eyes with the ringleader of the three bullies who, two seconds ago, had been laughing.  I was enraged.  I was also frightened as I my mind raced through multiple scenarios of what could happen next – most of those scenarios involved me getting hurt.

But I had taken my stand and I knew I could not back down.  I could feel the attention of every eye in the cafeteria as I stood between the three offenders and the nearby table where their victim sat. 

Tears streamed down her teenage face and her hair was littered with pieces of the lunch the offending boys had been throwing at her while they laughed.  I had seen it happen.  She cried as she yelled at them to stop.  They laughed some more.  Lots of people watched them throwing food at her.  No one did anything.  They were big, muscular and had a particular reputation.  She was a girl with special needs, recently mainstreamed into our inner-city school.  This was wrong.  I didn’t think of what I was going to do before I got out of my chair, I simply knew I had to do something to stop them.

I don’t remember the exact words I said to the ringleader, but he stared unblinkingly back at me.  Offender number three stood to square up to me. Offender number two looked for direction from offender number one, who silently, slowly shook his head. Number three quickly sat down with a tirade of words he probably didn’t understand.

It was over.  Indistinct chatter refilled the cafeteria and a few of my friends took the crying girl to help her clean up. 

The lessons I learned that day were foundational to my formation.  Sometimes doing the right thing involves taking a risk. I often think of this episode when I’m confronted with decisions of right and wrong, standing up against injustice or protecting the vulnerable even if there is a threat to my personal safety. 

When I read the story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) I frequently think back on my cafeteria experience. 

Jesus used a story about a man who was attacked, beaten, robbed and left injured on a roadside to illustrate how he expects us to behave toward our neighbour.  In the story, Jesus included individuals who would have been expected to help but did not stop to help the injured man.

Familiarity with the story can, if we’re not careful, bring us to swift judgment about the two representatives of religion who demonstrated a lack of care for the injured man.  Likely the men feared for their own safety.  Perhaps they considered this a trap, the injuries were fake, and the actor’s co-conspirators were ready to pounce on them.  Or, possibly, they were on their way home from religious duties and wanted to see their family.  If they touched an unclean person, they would then need to isolate themselves according to laws of purification and this would delay them being able to see their family.  Regardless of the reasonable-ness of their motives for inaction, Jesus highlights their choices as falling short of his values and expectations. 

I’ve often heard this story used to explain a model, or standard, of how love is exemplified.  This is understandable because the conversation began with a reference to the commandments about loving God and loving our neighbour (Lk 10:27).  But at the end of the parable, Jesus did not ask the enquirer, “Which of the three showed love to the injured man?”.   Rather, his question was, “Which of the three proved to be a neighbour?” (Lk 10:36). 

At its simplest, the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the expectation that being a good neighbour is challenging, inconvenient, even risky.  This raises an uncomfortable question for me…. if this story illustrates neighbourly behaviour, then what does real love look like?!

Reflecting on my cafeteria confrontation, at no point in those moments did I consider the philosophical, theological or sociological nuances between being a good neighbour or demonstrating loving behaviour.  I simply knew I needed to do something to protect the vulnerable girl and stop the bullying and injustice. 

In the journey of life since that day I’ve had numerous opportunities to make similar decisions.  I frequently pray that the record of my actions will outweigh that of my inaction. Through it all my desire is that my love for the Lord will become so encompassing that it permeates my interactions with others to the point there is no distinction between love for my neighbour and general neighbourly behaviour. 

Sean Copeland, June 2023

More Than A Question

“Who will speak up for the vulnerable children?”

The tears began to flow as I walked.  I was startled at the intensity of my emotion, but even more surprised at the immediacy of their arrival.  Aware of my surroundings as I walked through Dublin city centre, I was glad for the typically drizzly day and for the rain drops which hid my tears.

In the moments preceding the tears I had been in dialogue with God asking questions about the work of Tearfund Ireland, the various projects and how I could best contribute.  I even asked the Lord if I should continue working there.  It was at this moment that I felt the powerful subtlety of the question back to me; “Who will speak up for the vulnerable children?”

The force of that still, small voice surprised me.  So clear, so concise, so direct.  The faintly whispered shout penetrated all my rational defences and went straight to a deep part of me where, to this day, it continues to reverberate.  

“Who will speak up for the vulnerable children?”

For me, the question was more than just a question; it was an invitation.  In that moment I knew I was being invited to pursue a cause that is close to God’s heart.  But more than that, I realised I was experiencing a degree of his compassion for vulnerable children.  In those short few moments on that drizzly street in Dublin His question put an end to my questions.  I now had a compassion-led conviction that I, and Tearfund Ireland, would speak up for vulnerable children.  

Tearfund Ireland have three ongoing development projects in Ethiopia, Cambodia and Lebanon.  While each project targets needs specific to that context, a common theme across all three is that we are addressing the needs of vulnerable children.  

In Ethiopia, our Self-Help Groups targets vulnerable women, predominately mothers, to enable them to lift themselves out of poverty.  The children of these women are among the most vulnerable.

In Lebanon, we have worked alongside the Church to support needs of Syrian refugees, particularly, the parents of children.  For many years we have participated in intervention education and skills-based training for these children who are among the most vulnerable.

In Cambodia, we continue to help children remain with their families.  Addressing the cultural practice of sending children to an orphanage when the family is experiencing financial hardship or difficulties accessing education, we are helping parents and communities find ways to keep their children with them.  Children who have been sent away from their families are among the most vulnerable.

In a world where women are still undervalued, mistreated or marginalised, Tearfund Ireland is working to restore relationships and enable women to change their circumstances.  We regularly hear stories from our local partners about women whose lives are being transformed.  These women become change-agents themselves, transforming the lives of their own children and, commonly, children within their community.  

I frequently hear the reverberations of the question the Holy Spirit embedded into me that rainy day; “Who will speak up for the vulnerable children?”.  When I read the reports from our partners about how the lives of women and children are being changed, I feel a genuine sense of satisfaction that we are, even if in a small way, impacting the lives of vulnerable children.  

The team in Tearfund Ireland are committed to demonstrating God’s goodness, love and justice to the most marginalised and vulnerable around the world.  As an organisation we are embracing the question the Lord asked, and we are speaking up for the vulnerable children.  We are learning to do right and seeking justice.  We are taking up the cause of the fatherless and pleading the case of the women who have been left alone (see Isaiah 1:17 & James 1:27).

Personally, I am honoured to work with a dedicated and skilled team of people, who have embraced this mission (invitation) with passion and professionalism.  Will you come alongside us? 

Visit www.tearfund.ie for more information.

Sean Copeland

Originally posted on www.tearfund.ie in June 2023

Justice and Righteousness

We are living in times of significant upheaval and change. The societal and economic disruption brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, worsening weather-related disasters and numerous conflicts around the world have displaced millions, affected food supplies, and destabilised economies. The scale and magnitude of the problems can feel overwhelming at times. But we have confidence that God is good. 

‘God is good’ – this statement is not some trite platitude or merely a nice idea. Neither is it a flippant disregard for the challenges people face.

In Tearfund Ireland we have confidence in the nature and character of God. We believe Jesus is the Prince of Peace, the one who restores broken relationships and reconciles all things to God. We also believe He has invited us, His Church, to participate with Him in His mission.

However, when we see evidence of so much that is broken, wrong and unjust, it can be difficult to know where, or even, how to begin.

Jeremiah 9:24 gives us an insight.  God, speaking through the Prophet says, “…let the one who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on the earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord. 

In this verse God himself provides a very clear description about his nature.  Not only does He exercise kindness, justice and righteousness, but He delights in doing so.  He enjoys demonstrating His kindness.  He likes it when righteousness is established and, when things get off balance, He delights when justice is carried out.   

In this statement God not only reveals three things He values, but He also extends an invitation.  Inherent in the idea that those who know God will understand His ways, is a call to lean into Him, to observe and to learn.  The more we know the Lord, the more we will understand why He delights in justice and righteousness.  God is reminding His people of what He spoke through the author of Proverbs 28:5, “evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully”.

It is easy for us to understand that God delights in displaying kindness on the earth.  Many of us have frequently heard teaching about his Love, goodness and mercy so it follows that we would be comfortable with the idea that God desires to display His kindness. 

But it can often be a challenge to apply a similar level of comfort to God’s delight in exercising justice.  Perhaps our understanding of justice has been tainted by hearing others’ appeal for justice for a particular cause?  Perhaps we limit justice to a purely spiritual element of our faith?  Whatever the reason, justice is not often included the first words we use to describe God or how he interacts with the world.  

Yet Psalm 89:14 says, “Justice and righteousness are the foundations of your throne…”.   This passage adds some clarity to God’s delight in exercising justice and righteousness.  In doing so, He is demonstrating the fundamental principles on which His Kingdom is established.  Where the Kingdom of God is present and established, justice and righteousness should be evident.  

In Tearfund Ireland, we believe that God is good.  The display of His kindness is a demonstration of His goodness and love.  We also believe that God established a standard of righteousness when he created all things, and, when that standard is not upheld, justice is required to restore what was broken.  For these reasons, we articulate one aspect of our work as a demonstration of God’s goodness, love and justice to the marginalised and vulnerable around the world.  Through this work people are lifting themselves out of poverty, refugees are being welcomed, children are growing up in families rather than orphanages and those who have been silenced are now being heard.

In the face of global uncertainty, we can say with confidence that God is good.  In the midst of conflict, wrongdoing and poverty we can say with confidence that God delights when justice is done on the earth.  Because we believe these truths about God and His nature, we strive to demonstrate His goodness, love and justice to those most marginalised.  Will you join us?  

Visit www.tearfund.ie for more.

Originally posted on www.tearfund.ie in May 2023