Jesus was not brought down by atheism and anarchy. He was brought down by law and order allied with religion, which is always a deadly mix. Beware of those who claim to know the mind of God and who are prepared to use force, if necessary, to make others conform. Beware of those who cannot tell God’s will from their own. Temple police are always a bad sign. When chaplains start wearing guns and hanging out at the sheriff’s office, watch out. Someone is about to have no king but Caesar. This is a story that can happen anywhere at any time, and we are as likely to be the perpetrators as the victims.
Barbara Brown Taylor
“The Perfect Mirror” in The Christian Century (March 18-25, 1998)
