No More of This!
911 and Beyond: Confronting a Culture of Violence
In the United States, September 11 remains etched in our collective memory as a day when violence ruptured the illusion of safety and exposed deep fractures in our social fabric. The attacks not only took thousands of lives but also intensified cycles of fear, prejudice, and militarism that continue to shape our culture. Throughout the course of our nation’s history, including 9/11 to today, our nation struggles with the culture of violence, whether in the form of domestic or global terrorism, mass shootings, funding war and walls, or militarized policing by way of the National Guard.
How do we define ourselves as a nation when the Pentagon, once framed as the Department of Defense, is being rebranded as the Department of War, shifting our identity from one of protection to one of aggression?
Minnesota’s recent tragedy reminds us that this history of cultural violence is not confined to distant battlefields or national headlines. It is evident in recent headlines from Colorado and Utah, where shootings have resulted in the loss of lives in the past 24-48 hours. As a faith based organization, we believe in the sanctity of life and it is our hope that we will confront the culture of violence together so that bullets do not replace debates or put democracy at risk.
In light of the tragic shootings at a private Catholic school in Minneapolis, we share below a statement from Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung, former Executive Director of CRS, whose words call us to confront the culture of violence with faith, courage, and a commitment to lasting change.
No More of This!
Minnesota has experienced tragic and traumatic public acts of violence these past few months. In August, school children and other worshippers were gathered at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis to start the school year when their prayers were interrupted by shooting. The day prior there had been a shooting near Christo Del Rey High School in Minneapolis. These acts of violence left people dead, wounded, traumatized, and fearful. A few months earlier, elected officials and their families in Minnesota were targeted by a religious nationalist gunman, with Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband being killed. In many ways, Minnesota has yet to fully heal from the state sponsored violence that occurred when four police officers killed George Perry Floyd in 2020.
Our faith traditions are used by some to promote violence and hatred. But at their core our Scriptures and religious founders teach love of neighbor and a nonviolent ethic. When the temple police arrested Jesus, one of his disciples reacted violently and struck with a sword. “But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him (Luke 22:51).”
When violence occurs in our communities, whether in Minnesota, Illinois, or elsewhere, people of faith are called to Jesus’ two-prong response. We must immediately offer prayers, pastoral care, and other forms of healing to those directly affected by violence. And we must also make long-term commitments to lean into Jesus’ words, “No more of this!” This means enacting legislation that greatly reduces the availability of guns, organizing peace circles and other intervention strategies to offer alternatives to those tempted to use violence, challenging popular media that glorifies violence, and voting out of office autocratic politicians who engage in a rhetoric of violence.
On August 27, what should have been a safe space for school children to pray was violated by gunfire. When houses of worship are desecrated by acts of violence due to religious bigotry, racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, or other forms of prejudice, we know that a sacred line has been crossed. Therefore, in this “hour” when we face “the power of darkness” (22:53) in our nation and world, we must embrace acts of healing and organize for real change that responds to Jesus’ declaration, “No more of this!”
In Peace,
Rev. Dr. Curtiss Paul DeYoung
Minneapolis, Minnesota
CRS Executive Director (2014-2017)