Lessons to Learn

“We have learned much from some countries, while in other countries we had ‘polite exchanges that were barren of applicable lessons’.” *

Tearfund CEO Sean Copeland reflects on a recent visit to Rwanda:

In a meeting room in Kigali, Rwanda, Rev. Dr. Antoine Rutayisire was sharing with us the lessons he’d learned from meeting with national leaders from countries which had recovered from acts of genocide.  Dr. Antoine served on Rwanda’s Commission for Reconciliation for four terms, three of which as the Vice-Chair.  He was influential in the success of the Commission’s work and in the establishment of societal principles upon which much of Rwanda’s transformation has been based.

In late 1994 and early 1995, Rwanda could have failed as a state – but it didn’t.  It’s leaders were prepared to learn from others. Appointed by the new President of Rwanda, Dr. Antoine, along with the other members of the Commission, were quick to seek out and learn from leaders who likewise salvaged and reconstructed their countries from similar atrocities. 

Now, three decades later, Rwanda is transformed.  I have only visited the capital city of Kigali for six days but in that short space of time my experience leads me to conclude that Rwanda is a very different society than it was 30 years ago.

I am in no doubt the country has it’s own problems and challenges (what country doesn’t?!).  But there is a tangible sense of hope along with signs of flourishing that I haven’t seen in many cities to which I’ve travelled.

What is the difference?  What has taken place that would enable the transformation of a nation in less than 30 years?

From my observations there are two main lessons.  First, those charged with reconstructing society were prepared to be courageous, establish strict laws and reinforce principles of unity within society. Second, the Church played a key role by speaking truthfully about the events of the past and then demonstrating the power of forgiveness through loving those who perpetrated hate.

What happened in Rwanda is not an isolated incident. A short review of recent history reveals a number of genocides: the Holocaust, Cambodia, Bosnia and Darfur (which, arguably, continues). Other less known, or still yet to be recognised as genocide, include Namibia (1904), Armenian (1915) and Nanking (1930’s).  Additionally, many indigenous peoples in various countries continue crying out for recognition of the atrocities carried out against their people by those who settled their land.

Why are there so many episodes of genocide in the last one-hundred years? How can these atrocities continue to recur every few decades?  What lessons are we, as a people, seemingly unable to learn?

In recent months I have visited two countries which continue to recover from genocide. In my observations a common approach in all these genocides is the dehumanisation of those who were killed.  The oppressed were considered ‘less than’ the oppressor. The oppressor resorted to language that categorised the other as non-human, as a thing. 

This common theme of dehumanisation as justification for killing an entire people group is deeply alarming, even frightening.  It concerns me because I notice a tendency for people in Irish society to quickly default to name-calling and insults when a conversation becomes slightly disagreeable. Have you noticed how easy it is in our contemporary society to use dehumanising language against another person?

A brief scroll through social media demonstrates how quick we are to verbally attack someone whose opinion we disagree with.  The words used are frighteningly close to dehumanising. 

A review of our news headlines displays growing anger and thuggery toward people of other ethnicities arriving on our shores.  Again, the words shouted are not reflective of respect for our shared humanity.

An observation of national politics across the world reveals a trend toward isolationists policies and, in some places, resurgence of far-right ideologies. Again, there are voices of one claiming superiority over the other.

As one who believes that all people are created in the image of God, I find these tendencies unsettling – especially when I see them displayed by those who speak of their identity as a Christian.  We are frequently reminded of Jesus’ commands to love our neighbour, to love our enemy and to pray for those who persecute us. Is it possible that our familiarity with these instructions has somehow enabled us to forget their importance?

When serving as a pastor, I would remind people of a statement made by the Holy Spirit and recorded by the author of the book of James.

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in God’s likeness….my brothers, this should not be.”(James 3.9-10).

This is a stark reminder, and exhortation, to all who love and follow God. Our love for God must be demonstrated in love or, at the minimum, respect for our fellow human-beings. How can we speak with curses and dehumanising language about someone for whom Christ has given His life?

Dehumanising language is a slippery slope in an undesirable direction. We may think that these are ‘just words’, but we would be wise to remember that it is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks (Luke 6.45).  And, though we may not be committing murder physically, as Jesus stated, those who have anger in the heart are subject to His judgement (Matthew 5.22). 

I honour Dr. Antoine for his humility to seek lessons from those who had gone before him.  I pray that we Believers in Ireland will likewise learn lessons from what we’ve witnessed around the world and from what we’ve witnessed from the Scriptures.

Lord, have mercy.

Sean Copeland, May 2024

*  Rutayisire, Antoine. Reconciliation is My Lifestyle; Imagine We Publishers: Kigali (p.123).