By David W. Lee

EASTERN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY'S recent art exhibit included a piece called “Royal Flush,” a ceramic urinal that insinuated we should urinate upon American’s elected leaders, which should offend any person professing to be a Christian.

My conscience will just not allow me to stoop to a level so low and so profane to call it “art.” At best, it is an example of the fruit of some godless pagan cult. Those fruits, what a person creates, do give you a window to look into a person’s soul to see the true character of the individual. Sadly it also tells a lot about the character of the people who endorse and support it with their money. Ultimately, the blame rests with the latter, because they are the enablers.

While we are talking of a peoples fruits, please indulge me a few paragraphs to tell you of one particular people. I grew up in the Valley, as did my parents and their parents before them and so forth for many generations.

I was taught a deep respect for and experienced first hand a very wonderful community. A people who worked hard and struggled each day to subdue temptations and aspired to feed the poor and hungry, comfort the sick, clothe the naked, and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ not only by words but also by deeds. These people are the salt of the valley. They gave it flavor. They gave us a glimpse of Heaven and a demonstration of the power of love.

These people believed that earth had two legitimate Kingdoms ordained by God: 1) the Kingdom of Christ, non-resistance, non-carnal (physical) and non-political; and 2) The Kingdom of this world, civil authority and national sovereignty, of which the laws thereof they had a duty to obey.

There is a difference between pacifism and the non-resistance practiced by these noble people, a big difference. Their duty would be to offer up their lives or bodies as a shield to protect another person from harm or death without physical harm to the attacker, as Christ offered himself up for each of us regardless of how unworthy we are of this gift. To give their coat as well to the one who took their cloak, to love their enemies, to do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. They are kind to the unthankful and to the evil as well.

They fulfill their duty and service to the civil authorities by obeying the laws of the land, and in times of danger by supporting civil institutions in non-combat roles or other alternate services, and by offering sincere prayer for the leadership of the civil government.In all that they do, the stewardship of their farms, the beauty of their craftsmanship in their furniture, food, pottery, quilts and tools, they endeavor to bring glory and honor to their savior, Jesus Christ.

These people I speak of are the true Mennonites of the Valley. The true Mennonites I know and love, the salt of the Valley, the people in my heritage, are a living art form of beauty, simplicity and deep passionate love in this community. They endeavor to change the world through respect and kindness to all and are a living example of Christ’s teachings.

“Royal Flush” defies and dishonors the true essence of non-resistance and the honorable heritage of the Mennonite faith. Instead of encouraging respect, obedience to legitimate authority and prayer for the civil institutions, and perhaps, a change in the civil policies, this exhibit encourages disrespect, and treats public officials in a degrading way. It does nothing constructive in either a secular or Christian sense.

Let me put it in more simple terms: If your child places your picture in the toilet and urinates on it because he disagrees with you, what would you call it?

The individuals and institutions that support and allow such displays as the “Royal Flush” are not Mennonites. They are more like false prophets leading our children astray. Try as I may, in the shadow of this exhibit, I am unable to see anything at EMU that is truly Mennonite and brings glory and honor to Jesus Christ. EMU would be better advised to return to the faith of their fathers and instruct their faculty to practice what they preach.

Lee is president of Lee & Associates and lives in Singers Glen. He can be reached at 540-820-1422.