Righteous anger is typically a reactive emotion of anger over mistreatment, insult, or malice. It is akin to what is called the sense of injustice. (from Wikipedia)
Emily Litella is an elderly woman with a hearing problem who appeared 26 times on SNL's Weekend Update op-ed segmentin the late 1970s.[2][3] Attired in a frumpy dress, sweater and
Lisa Loopner glasses, Litella was introduced with professional dignity by the news anchors, who could sometimes be seen cringing slightly in anticipation of the malapropisms they knew would follow.
Lisa Loopner glasses, Litella was introduced with professional dignity by the news anchors, who could sometimes be seen cringing slightly in anticipation of the malapropisms they knew would follow.
Gilda Radner (as Litella) would peer through her reading glasses and, in the character's trademark high-pitched, warbly voice, would read a prepared statement in opposition to an editorial that the TV station had supposedly broadcast. These sketches were, in part, a parody of the Fairness Doctrine, which at the time required broadcasters in the United States to present opposing viewpoints on public issues. Litella would become increasingly agitated as her
statement progressed. Midway in her commentary, it would became apparent that she had misheard and/or misunderstood the subject of the editorial to which she was responding. A typical example:What is all this fuss I hear about the Supreme Court decision on a "deaf" penalty? It's terrible! Deaf people have enough problems as it is![4]
statement progressed. Midway in her commentary, it would became apparent that she had misheard and/or misunderstood the subject of the editorial to which she was responding. A typical example:What is all this fuss I hear about the Supreme Court decision on a "deaf" penalty? It's terrible! Deaf people have enough problems as it is![4]
The news anchor would interrupt Litella to point out her error, along the lines, "That's death penalty, Ms. Litella, not deaf ...death."[4] Litella would wrinkle her nose, say, "Oh, that's very different...." then meekly turn to the camera and say, "Never mind."[5] When Litella played against news anchor Chevy Chase (whom she often called "Cheddar Cheese"[6]), he would be somewhat sympathetic to her. But when Jane Curtin took over the anchor role, she would scold Litella, "Every week you come on and you get it wrong," to which Litella would reply, "Bitch!"
[5]
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Other misheard topics to which Litella responded included "saving Soviet jewelry" [Jewry],[7] "endangered feces" [species],[5]"violins on television" [violence],[8] "presidential erections" [elections],[9] "conserving natural racehorses" [natural resources],[8] "firing the handicapped"
[hiring],[2] and "making Puerto Rico a steak" [state].[10] About the last of these topics, she
complained, "Next thing you know, they'll want a baked potato with sour cream!"[11]
Val's words: What does anger and being upset have to do with a blog on healthy eating? When I am angry or upset I tend to turn to food for comfort. I use food to cover up the shame of blowing my top when I could have reacted in a calmer manner. Arden and I resolve conflict better when we listen to each other and when we learn to laugh at how silly some of our conflicts are. Some good questions to ask myself are:
[hiring],[2] and "making Puerto Rico a steak" [state].[10] About the last of these topics, she
complained, "Next thing you know, they'll want a baked potato with sour cream!"[11]
Val's words: What does anger and being upset have to do with a blog on healthy eating? When I am angry or upset I tend to turn to food for comfort. I use food to cover up the shame of blowing my top when I could have reacted in a calmer manner. Arden and I resolve conflict better when we listen to each other and when we learn to laugh at how silly some of our conflicts are. Some good questions to ask myself are:
- Am I scared of losing control of the situation?
- Why is it important for me to have control?
- Does my personality make me more prone to anger? How can I better understand and celebrate my personality?
- Am I angry much of the time? Sometimes anger can indicate depression.
- Am I ill or on medication that would contribute to my anger?
- Can I find humor in the situation, more importantly can I laugh at myself?
- Is there another side that I need to hear?
- Do I feel heard?
- Is there a way to express my feelings calmly and clearly?
- Would it be better to wait and discuss this at another time?
- How can I become a "non-anxious" presence to those nearest and dearest to me?
- How can I focus on the positive?
- Is there someone I trust who I can talk to about my frustration? Will they give me their objective opinion about the situation? Will they be honest with me?
From an article in Christianity Today: And Jesus expressed anger—at the Pharisees who exhibited such hard hearts (Mark 3:1-5) and at the crass commercialism that sullied the temple (Matthew 21:12-13; Luke 19:45-48)—to convey extreme displeasure over sin. Those reasons are the key to righteous anger.
How does this affect me? As Christ-followers, we're totally appropriate getting upset over sin, too. Evils such as abuse, racism, pornography, and child sex trafficking should incense us.
But no matter how reprehensible the people or activities we're condemning, we still aren't justified to sin in our responses: "When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day" (Ephesians 4:26, NCV). Those of us with confrontational personalities might want to ask ourselves the question, Is my motive to be right or to be righteous? before ripping into the offending parties.
Such considerations also help us be pokey in getting peeved: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:19–20, ESV). Instead of replying immediately, simply counting to ten before reacting usually leads to much better results in a contentious situation.
Then after we take offense, we should take redemptive action. Christians must get involved with organizations working to free children from slavery and volunteer at shelters working to protect battered women. We must lead the charge against hatred and oppression and cruelty!
Ultimately, if our outrage results in restoring people into loving, healing relationships with Jesus, it's righteous anger.
Lisa Harper has a Masters in Theology with an emphasis in biblical studies from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. She's a sought-after speaker and has written several books, including Holding Out for a Hero: A New Spin on Hebrews (Tyndale) and What the Bible Is All About for Women: A Book of Devotions (Regal). Visit her atwww.lisaharper.net.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today/Today's Christian Woman magazine.
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