Honour and Shame

As the terrorists left the Charlie Hebdo building a week ago, having killed 12 people, they were heard to say that they believed they had avenged the shame brought on the name of the beloved Prophet. When shame is caused, the only way to restore honour, so it is believed, is through the death of the shame-bringers. Hence, we use the term 'honour-killings'.

Thus, the killers would have seen themselves as honour-bringers, rather than as murderers.

But such views run counter to the views of western liberal democracies, where there is freedom to say things which may challenge the views of those in authority and power. 

In Europe, there have been long and costly wars fought over these issues. But many within the Muslim world are caught in a dilemma, between wishing to be free to think and speak as modern individuals, while also wishing to be faithful to what they believe is expected of them by their co-religionists. And the issues of honour and shame are at the heart of their struggles.

I recall that it is not so long ago that Protestants and Catholics lived under a regime where honour and shame were the defining factors in shaping behaviour. This means that we can possibly understand the struggles faced by our Muslim friends.

It is therefore startling to see, within the pages of the New Testament, that this same struggle is addressed.

St. Paul, in writing to his friends in Corinth, tells them about the issues he faced, when coming to Corinth for the first time. Many in Corinth would have expected a bringer of new ideas to try to win over his audience by clever speech and amazing rhetoric. But Paul had refused such an approach. 'When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. (1 Corinthians 2.1-3)

Instead of trying to win approval and bring honour to Jesus by giving a story of power and attractiveness, Paul deliberately focuses on the shame and foolishness of the death of Jesus. 'Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.' (1 Corinthians 1.21-24)

This reminds me that in the story of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we do know God's power to change us and make us more like Jesus. But we follow a crucified Saviour, so should never use violence, in word or deed, to try to honour Jesus. He can look after himself.

Best wishes,

Richard