VIOLENT THEOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY, NON-VIOLENT THEOLOGICAL SPIRITUALITY Olga Lucia Álvarez Benjumea ARCWP*

What a title I have come up with. I think I'm right. It is that they are 2 totally opposite theologies, in force, therefore, they exist.

The first is very old, patriarchal, masculine. It claims to be "universal" in spite of discrimination, exclusivism, oppression and marginalization.
The second is newer, it is novel, it is creative, it is welcoming, it is tender, it is love, it is feminist. It has no borders or walls.
The first has presented us with a male "god", hard, jealous, controlling, punishing, competitive, ungenerous, powerful, authoritarian, aggressive, with imperialist majesty and court.
The second has a feminine face, generates peace, tranquility, solidarity, tender, patient, inclusive and welcoming.
How can we discover the influential role in society and religion of this violent or non-violent theological spirituality?
In the first, why not ask ourselves what the murder of Abel by Cain means? What do we feel when we read the passage in which God orders Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac? 
How is it possible that in this time we still see in our homes, schools, churches, the image of Jesus crucified, always reminding us of the evil of violence, the struggle of power and abuse of authority. 
In all this time, let's say; centuries, years, we still have not been able to unwash him, wash him, fix him and present him with his free hands in a loving attitude of welcome, reconciliation, peace and love. We have committed the grave error of not announcing his Resurrection, we are denying his Easter of Resurrection which is life and Life in abundance (John 10:10).
We are dominated and dominated by a theological spirituality of violence, how can we not remember our martyrs, our leaders, women, men and children, killed by violence. A violence that is encouraged, corrupt, sustained in the name of God, tearing apart families and entire peoples, generating competition, individualism and selfishness. It provokes polarization and fosters regionalism.
This situation is not of now, this situation is of old date. The death sentence of Jesus has no equal in history. He was betrayed, he did not have a clean trial, he was treated with violence, in an apparent democratic system that took him to Calvary, alleging that there was a popular consultation. Pilate "consulted" the people: "whom shall I release to you, Jesus or Barabbas?" Matthew 27:15-16.  This has not changed, it is still in force and its expressions of violence increase in a brutal and violent way in the number of femicides that appear more and more every day demonstrating their cruelty and viciousness. With horror, we look at the war between Ukraine-Russia, let us not forget that at the present time there are a total of 64 wars in the world.
Not to mention the number of churches, NGOs and various groups in which the dictionary of aggressiveness, violence, concealment, marginalization, exclusivity and exclusivity, especially against women, is distilled. 
Up to this point a brief summary of the vigor with which violent theological spirituality has been hitting us. Investigations, denunciations, continue to turn pages in history....
The second: non-violent theological spirituality.
Although it appears as new and novel, it is as old as the first one. In our time it is becoming known, we women are determined not to let ourselves be marginalized, oppressed and violated by the patriarchal system.
Several feminist women theologians have made it known to us. Her results are already beginning to be seen, she appears in the groups of the Base Communities, formed mostly by women. Although it is good to remember that these groups were forced to change their name due to ecclesiastical pressure.
This theology begins at home with the family. Our mothers have taught, with their attitudes, the great quality of knowing how to distribute food. They are the
In religion, we have had some men who have been closely linked to the struggle in favor of women. Today, in spite of the difficulties, we also have women who have taken possession of the Good News and announce it to us in their liturgical celebrations.
This theology breaks down walls and borders, promotes inclusiveness, builds in community, the path to Peace and Justice in fraternity, without competition, without envy, without selfishness, but with much love and tenderness.

*Roman Catholic Presbyterian

Envigado March 1/23