“The axe forgets what the tree remembers.” This is an African proverb. It inspires victims to stand up for themselves, for their authentic identity and their history. The rape of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 is a story of trauma, pain and non recognition in terms of human dignity. In post-conflict Sri Lanka, this same experience is repeated, particularly in the former war zone areas where militarization and military domination persist. Sivaloganathan Vithya is another Tamar whose cry was not heard.
Vithya of Pungudutheevu in Sri Lanka was brutally raped and killed by a gang on 13 May 2015. She was on her way to school. She tried her best to get out but failed due to the inhumanity of evil men.
Tamar, the daughter of David and Maacah, is described in 2 Samuel 13 as a virgin, beautiful and unmarried. Amnon, the oldest son of David and Ahinoam was so tormented that he made himself ill because he was not able to do anything to Tamar according to his desire for her. Using a cunning plan suggested by Jonadab (son of David’s brother Shimeah), Amnon arranged for Tamar to prepare some cakes for him. When she brought the cakes near him to eat he took hold of her and said to her,
“Come, lie with me, my sister’. She answered him, ‘No brother, do not force me; for such a thing is not done in Israel; do not do anything so vile! As for me, where could I carry my shame? And as for you, you would be as one of the scoundrels in Israel. Now therefore, I beg you, speak to the King; for he will not withhold me from you” (2 Samuel 13.11– 13).
Amnon did not listen to Tamar’s cry and raped her. Later, he said to her to get out and ordered his servant to put her out of his presence.
Tamar’s lament is narrated as follows:
“Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore the long robe that she was wearing. She put her hand on her head, and went away, crying aloud as she went” (13.19).
Tamar’s own brother Absalom’s response was, “Has Amnon, your brother been with you? Be quiet for now … do not take this to heart” (13.20).
Absalom’s words did not comfort her and she remained as a desolate woman in Absalom’s house. Absalom hated Amnon because of his evil act and killed him later (13.22; 23–34).
Amnon was the perpetrator of the sexual harassment and rape of Tamar. Tamar was the victim. Jonadab was the cunning friend who gave Amnon the evil idea. The outcome of the evil action was lament and desolation for Tamar and death for Amnon at the hands of the victim’s brother, Absalom.
Vithya of Pungudutheevu, raped and killed, was a victim like Tamar. There were national and international Jonadabs supporting the implementation of this evil project. The outcome for the victim and the victim’s relatives and friends is lamentation.
Tamar’s voice - the voice of the vulnerable for human dignity and identity - was crushed by Amnon mercilessly. He was not able to listen to and understand her voice at that time when he was in sexual passion over Tamar’s physical body. He was not able to see the beauty of his sister’s inner being. Similarly, perpetrators who raped Vithya were not able to hear her voice for human dignity and identity.
Militarization is the outcome of the last 30 years of civil war in Sri Lanka, particularly in the war-torn areas. A militarized, giant, evil network, which knows no boundaries of race, language or gender, is raping the Tamars of our land.
Alcohol, drugs, gang fights, killing, robbing, child abuse, abduction of children, rapes are taking place according to the juntas of evil. Mobile phone technology, unhealthy violent movies and television dramas on certain channels, pornography – all influence many youngsters to buy and consume alcohol with the money they get from their relatives who earn it abroad, and to become real gang fighters. Such activity replaces any eagerness to spend time in the library, or in cultural activities, or in the activities of village youth Sports Clubs.
God created humanity (Genesis 2); human bodies are members of Christ (I Corinthians 6.15); the human body is a temple of Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6.19). One cannot use his or her body to abuse another person’s body. Rape is a mortal sin (Deuteronomy 22.23–29). God’s purpose is very clear, that male and female both are created by God to live harmoniously for the betterment of humanity (Genesis 1.27; 12.2) and there is no place for drug addiction, killing, and rape. The voice of the vulnerable for human dignity and identity should be respected with acknowledgement and appreciation.
God’s judgment according to Matthew 25.31–46 is very clear that human beings should live with human dignity. So 25.42–45 reads as follows:
“For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink. I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Then they also will answer ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ The he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’”
If Jesus could have spoken through Vithya, raped and killed, how might he re-phrase the saying related to “God’s Judgment”?
“For I was resettled and you gave me no basic protection. I was fearlessly walking in my motherland and you did not permit me. I was a student and you brutally crushed me. I wanted to live with womanhood and you raped and killed me. I asked you to allow me to escape when you raped and you acted mercilessly. I shouted for support and no one heard my cry and came to save me. I called for justice and you expect more time to do justice. Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least like Vithya, you did it to me.”
The axe forgets what the tree remembers. Jesus hears and remembers the cry of the victims long after the perpetrators have forgotten. Let us learn to be human, with full humanity, to lift up and safeguard the lives of people like Vithya.
The Revd Fr S D P Selvan is a priest at St Andrew’s Church, Palai in the Church of Ceylon