Take the Moral High Ground

It has become a pattern.  There is a massive peaceful march protesting against the government: anti-extradition bill, stalemate in political reform, police brutality, …  The peaceful march is followed by confrontation between a small number of “forcefuls” and the police, which results in violence.  The police beat people up and arrest some, while some “forcefuls” throw things.  Most of the time it is difficult to determine which comes first and who is more violent than the other.  

What is clear is that the government is stonewalling.  It is also holding an overwhelming advantage in power.   There is no way, no mater how organised and well-prepared, for the few “forcefuls” to win.  Why do they still insist on forceful confrontations? 

What is also clear is that the vast majority of the protesters do not condone the tactics of the few “forcefuls”.  And the violence committed by a few is giving the government an excuse to put its foot down.  It also shifts the focus onto the confrontation rather than the government intransigence.  

I pray that all protesters, including those who are inclined to confront forcefully, to take the moral high ground.  Because this is not a struggle for power, or of power.   There is no way that the people can win by force.  Even if the protesters win by force, the result is just the replacement of one set of elites by another.  

History has taught us that violence only begets violence.  Jesus himself also said, “Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword." [Matthew 26:52]

This is ultimately a struggle for a change of mindset.  We need the community to embrace openness, inclusiveness, fairness, kindness and ultimately, love.   Such a change of heart cannot be achieved by force or violent revolution.   It can only be achieved by demonstrating and convincing a majority of the community of the value and benefits of higher moral values.   Hence there is no other option but to insist on taking the moral high ground.