Silence. The volumes it speaks are rarely born of courage.

Sometimes the words not spoken have the most to say.

Silence. It is not necessarily the absence of sound. It may be merely the absence of words. Politicians know the difference: In times of controversy, just talk. What you say need not have anything to do with the issues. Use words of passion like patriotism, democracy, God and terrorism, and no one notices that you haven’t mentioned the latest body count.

In 1998, Pope John Paul II issued an apology to the world for the silence of the Catholic Church during the horrors of the Holocaust. Did you hear the sound of silence? Did you notice what was missing? Never once did the pontiff mention the thousands of homosexuals murdered in gas chambers during World War II. Holocaust museums all over the world respectfully honor these slaughtered men. Did the pope accidentally overlook this atrocity? Hard to believe. Is the world to conclude that Hitler was right about one group of people and wrong about all the rest?

In 2000, the Catholic Church in Maine supported equal rights legislation. In 2005, the church is silent in its support for those same rights. Were gays and lesbians deserving of their homes and jobs in 2000 and somehow undeserving today?

Some Maine Christians, and many from away, have taken up the battle cries against equal rights for all Maine citizens. If you are able to filter out the shouting, listen closely. You’ll hear the sounds of “WWJD?” bumper stickers being ripped off cars. “What Would Jesus Do?” is a question that must be silenced. Why? In 33 years, Jesus said not a single word against the homosexual, but his silence doesn’t suit the campaign’s strategy. Perhaps others speak with more authority or wisdom, but Christ’s message to embrace the outcast and love one another just won’t get out the November vote. Deafened by battle cries, recruits forget what the war is all about.

Documented countless times, there is discrimination in Maine. Homosexuals are being denied credit, being fired and evicted, harassed, beaten and murdered. Yes, here in Maine. Discrimination is illegal in every New England state except Maine.

Silence. The volumes it speaks are rarely born of courage. Cowardice is always easier and more comfortable. Simply stated, silence is simple.

To date, all too many of the clergy have not spoken. Priests, ministers and rabbis have a choice: They can speak out against bigotry or they can perpetuate it. Or they can remain silent. If our moral leaders have not spoken out loudly again discrimination, we can stand up and ask them why. Or we, ourselves, can take the easy way out. Silence.

Lew Alessio is a speaker with Maine SpeakOut, a division of Community Counseling of Maine, which addresses issues of discrimination. He lives in Greene.

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