So You Think It's OK To Be Neutral? So Did Pontius Pilate

Christians begin tomorrow to commemorate Passion Week - to remember and relive the events that occurred during the last week of Jesus' life on Earth.

The Gospel of Matthew's account of Jesus' appearance before the Roman governor, Pilate, which came during this week, records one of the most dramatic trials in history. "I find no fault with Jesus," said Pilate. And yet, he released Jesus to the crowd to be crucified.

Pilate then took a washbowl and, in an act of neutrality, washed his hands of any responsibility for the despicable deed that was to follow. But Pilate could not cleanse his hands, or wash away his responsibility, and he is remembered throughout history as one whose cowardice and noninvolvement contributed to the death of an innocent human being.

Walter Rauschenbusch tells a story that on the eve of the crucifixion, the washbowl disappeared from the palace. Nobody knew who took it. The story goes on to say that since that time, the bowl has been abroad in the land, carried by infernal hands to wherever it is needed: by political leaders who suppress principles because they might endanger the success of their party, by "good" citizens who will have nothing to do with politics, by editors who see a righteous cause misrepresented, yet say nothing because it might injure circulation; by preachers who see the rich man exploit the poor, and dare not tell him to stop, because he contributes to their salaries. All are using Pilate's washbowl.

We do not have to strain our ears to hear the dripping water as people wash their hands: "Well, it doesn't make me feel good that there are so many poor and homeless in our city and across the nation, but it isn't my fault. What can I do?" Or, "I don't approve of prejudices against blacks, Jews, homosexuals and other minority groups. But don't blame me - my hands are clean." Listen: Drip. Drip. Drip.

Neutrality is impossible. We are either for an idea or a cause, or we are against it.

I once visited with a bright young man at the University of Washington who volunteered to tell me his attitude toward all religion. He wanted me to understand that he was in sympathy with the purpose of the Christian church, and wanted the ends sought by all good religion to prevail. But as for himself, it appeared to him that he should hold a position of neutrality. He believed his responsibility was better expressed by standing neither for religion nor against it.

What he did not take into account is that neutrality is impossible. It was just what Pilate had attempted, and failed. If this student was not to be counted among those who by their presence encourage the work of religion, then he must be counted among those who by their absence hinder it. So it is with all of us.

During World War II, the managing editor of the Brooklyn, N.Y., Eagle kept on his desk a sign that read, "Remember, a dog fight in Brooklyn is more important than a revolution in China." We can understand the need for local news, but his affirmation was a dangerous lie. A revolution in China, or in any other nation, can result in funerals in Brooklyn, and funerals are more important than dog fights.

There is one funeral that must be held promptly, for it is long overdue. A prominent figure of history has died: the "innocent bystander." He is no more, if indeed he ever was. No one is an innocent bystander. We are inextricably linked in one body of humanity. What happens anywhere happens everywhere, and what happens to anyone happens to everyone.

President Clinton is trying to convince Congress and the American people that our nation should give aid to the Russian people. There is wisdom and practicality in this proposal.

Noninvolvement can work to our detriment. Martin Neimoeller, outstanding Nazi resistor, said, "In Germany, they came first for the Communists and I didn't speak up, for I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up, for I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up, for I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up, for I was a Protestant. And then they came for me, and by that time, no one was left to speak up."

When a problem of necessary reform comes in one of many areas of community life, it is not enough to say that many citizens are neutral and it is up to a few to grapple with the problem. The truth is that the few have to overcome not only the evil itself, but also the dead weight, social inertia and indifference of the majority.

Everyone's weight will be thrown on one side or the other in the great issues of life, and, although they are unconscious of it, the Pilates of today are often the most insidious opponents of a generous cause.