The Bible and the Los Angeles Riots: Role of Religion in the Public Sphere?

In the 21st century, there is one primary role for religion in the public sphere: Radical Spiritual Intervention.

Riots sometimes occur when people within a community become so enraged at authority that they unleash their fury. This often overflows into an indiscriminate attack on anyone in the rioters’ path. It takes enormous courage to face this uncontrolled violence. As Fidel Lopez, an innocent victim, was being viciously beaten, cut, and burnt in the streets during the Los Angeles riots, Reverend Bennie Newton entered the dangerous streets waving a Bible in the air, warning the attackers: “Kill him, and you have to kill me, too.” Risking his life, the holy reverend saved the innocent victim’s life as the attackers backed away.

Local, state, and even national authorities can also be guilty of rioting against their own people. During the height of the civil rights struggle in 1963, nonviolent demonstrators were beaten, sprayed with fire hoses strong enough to strip bark from trees and break ribs, and bitten by attack dogs; some were even murdered. In spite of this, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., fellow members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and allied clergy (including Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel) risked their lives in staying with the movement.

One little-known episode is worth relating. On ” title=”www.utzedek.org” target=”_blank”>Uri L’Tzedek, the Founder & CEO of ” title=”http://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Ethics-Social-Justice-Yanklowitz/dp/1935104144/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1320275675&sr=1-1″ target=”_blank”>Jewish Ethics & Social Justice: A Guide for the 21st Century” is now available on Amazon. In April 2012, Newsweek named Rav Shmuly