A murder occurs in a village. Police arrive to investigate the crime. As police speak with the villagers, all of them are silent about the murder. They behaved as if the murder never happened in their village. This is termed as the culture of silence. The Bible warns: “If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity.” (Leviticus 5:1)
No offense: Nobody wants to offend anybody. Though many people in the village know the culprit, none came forward to tell the truth to punish the wicked. Please people instead of pleasing God is their motto.
Reputation: Nobody wants to entertain the idea that something wrong could have happened. The community or village’s reputation was more important than righteousness, truth, and justice.
Peace or Justice? Many choose peace over justice. Peace with other people in the village and peace for the village itself. They could compromise their values for the sake of peace and reputation.
Fear: The people also had a fear that the wicked could turn against them. Yes, it is true that the wicked are sometimes powerful and could turn against those who witness the truth.
Defend wicked: Some in the villages were leaders in the community. They wanted to save the wicked culprit. Hence, they silenced the whole village. To protect the evil person, they allowed justice to be sacrificed. Instead of punishing the wicked, they protected the wicked.
Partners in crime: Good people, who did not have the intention or motivation for crime, by their silence became partners in the crime. They deserve equal punishment as the wicked.
Praise wicked? “Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.” (Proverbs 28:4) Those who do not strive against the wicked, inadvertently praise or celebrate wickedness. They deliberately forsook the Law; hence they did not understand the values of truth, righteousness, and justice.
Am I silent when I should speak up?