Why does MCC sometimes question Canadian and U.S. government policies and practices?

As North American Christians, we have the freedom to speak to our governments without fear of retribution. This freedom enables us as faithful Christians to speak out against injustice.

The United States and Canada are also wealthy nations whose influence and power extend around the world. When that power is used to the detriment of others, Christians have a responsibility to speak for hurting people who are voiceless and poor. MCC workers in Central America, for example, have spoken out when they see U.S. policies contributing to the suffering of the people with whom they work. When North American arms sales provide weapons that fuel wars and drain economic resources, Christians need to speak out against those sales. When developing nations pour more resources back to wealthy nations in the form of debt interest payment than they receive in foreign aid, we need to be a voice for the people suffering and dying as health care and education are cut, food costs rise, wages are depressed and agriculture is used for export instead for subsistence farming.

Mennonites and Brethren in Christ have traditionally refrained from political involvements. But both the Bible and Anabaptist history give precedents for speaking to government leaders. Moses, Esther and the prophets called on rulers to stop oppressing people. Jesus also challenged those who ruled Palestine (especially the Pharisees, chief priests and Herodians) to stop oppressing their own people and genuinely care for them instead. Because of Jesus’ deep care for all people, he saw and resisted the ways in which the authorities of his time used laws about tithing, cleanliness, and the Sabbath to exclude and exploit those who were too poor or too much on the outside to keep them. He also called on wealthy people to share with poor people (Luke 4:18,19, 6:1-6, 11:37-54, Mark 2:18-36, John 7:25-32).

In the 16th century Anabaptist leader Menno Simons wrote to the magistrates of his day appealing for tolerance and true justice. He also exhorted them to take seriously their responsibilities for punishment and restraint, in the true fear of God, “and not so cruelly to lord it over the children of God and his Word, as alas, many of you have a way of doing, it seems.” (Complete Writings of Menno Simons, p.193).

In our own time North American Mennonites have spoken to government leaders about issues that affect us, from military conscription to school issues, land use and taxes. In the same way, MCC workers have felt compelled to speak out on issues that affect the people with whom they live and serve around the world, especially when they ask them to do so. Jesus did not hesitate to act on his compassion for suffering people, even when it offended the leaders of his day. We too need the courage to speak to those in power when compassion calls us to help prevent the suffering of poor and powerless people.

Romans 13 states that God has established authorities to support good and oppose evil. Our nations’ best ideals call for freedom, justice and peace for all people, but government actions often fall short of ideals. Our call to governments to live up to these ideals and to God’s mandate is both biblical and patriotic in the best sense.