The Bright Light of Justice

When the talk began about boycotting the Olympic games in Beijing because of the crack-down in Tibet I thought "how hypocritical." The Chinese approach to human rights has not changed in the years since the games were awarded, so why would we punish athletes who have geared their lives toward this event when it is politicians who turned a blind eye eight years ago who should take responsibility.

Perhaps the disruption of the Olympic torch relay will be the strongest statement possible during the next few weeks. The Chinese government hoped to raise the country's international credibility by hosting the Olympics. The disruption and actual extinguishing of the torch in France has already brought embarrassment and shame to China's doorstep.

When we look in scripture it is often symbolic acts on the part of the prophets which points out injustice. Those prophets didn't have any actual power to change events. They were often punished by the rulers of the day rather than welcomed. This Olympic torch relay will be the longest in the history of the games. The symbolic act of protest along the way may be more powerful than any alternative.