Shadows: Scruples On The Line by Evie Yoder Miller)
I was very interested in this book because of my Mennonite background and its connections to the Shenandoah Valley, the area of Virginia where I have lived most of my life. This book follows five Anabaptist families who are all a part of the Mennonite or Amish or Brethren traditions. It follows these families during the time of the Civil War, and shows the particular challenges they faced in their various regions which included the Shenandoah Valley, Western Maryland, Chicago, Iowa, and a few ties to Pennsylvania.
Ms. Miller’s book strives to show an accurate depiction of history and the real dilemmas faced by ordinary people attempting to live out their faith in the midst of national conflict. Some faced the anger of their neighbors, whether it be in the south or the north, for their refusal to be patriotic and stand with their neighbors in the fight for the cause. Not only did some face ridicule, but many Virginians were threatened if they didn’t support the secession. At this time in history, there were no official allowances made for those who conscientiously objected to war. Sometimes they could choose to pay for someone to fight in their place, but they did not have a lot of wealth to continue to do this. Some faced prison for refusing to fight. One character in the book said, “But to be misunderstood, looked on by neighbors as traitors – condemned as Union! – when we do not fall in line with popular thought on slavery and warfare. A severe test.” (page 254)
Shadows shows the various reactions and dilemmas faced by individual members of these peace churches to the war that was taking place in their backyard. Many struggled with the whole concept of slavery and how they should respond. They had arguments, disagreeing about key political figures such as John Brown and Abraham Lincoln. Clearly they had been taught in their churches that fighting was wrong, but what should their response to the war be? Should they give in to the pressure to fight alongside their neighbors? Should they pay someone to fight for them? Should they send their boys away, or into hiding to avoid being conscripted into the army? Should they accept going to prison for refusing to fight? These were very real and very difficult choices facing those who believed in the words of Jesus, “But I say to you, love your enemies, and do good to those who hate you.” (Luke 6:27) “You have heard that is was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.” (Matthew 5:38-39)
There was much in this book I found very apropos to attitudes we still deal with today in America. Can we stand for peace? Can we follow Jesus and not give in to the nationalism that hurts outsiders? Do we rationalize war and violence? Do we try to get God on our side, backing our politics, instead of following the nature of God we see in Jesus? This quote by one character in the book seemed to echo positions I have heard Christians take about things happening in our country and world today, “Early America was expected to be a redeemer nation like Israel; some people still think our country – white people, specifically – supposed to save the world. So when the death count goes up, they assign a higher purpose. These deaths, an instrument in God’s hand. And thus, grand nobility! They’ll rationalize: if innocent citizens happen to be in the way of clashing armies, that’s another necessary sacrifice. The nature of war.” (page 220) May we look at history and learn!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR,Part 255.
Leave a Reply