Friday 20 November 2015

Reality


Since the Paris attacks, political leaders have been heatedly discussing the matter of air strikes in Syria. David Cameron (wouldn’t you know it) is all for this. Obama is more cautious. François Hollande typically hot-blooded in his response.

But in considering war, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the kind of thing we’re talking about. I invite you to read this article about drone warfare – note the vocabulary. When the drone operator kills someone for the first time, they call it “popping his cherry”, a sexual reference – losing his virginity. And the children are called “fun-sized terrorists”. Hmm.

And then the economics of war should not be overlooked. War is central to the prosperity of the United Kingdom and the United States of America. War is in our interest. To my mind, this places extra responsibility on UK and US citizens to work tirelessly, vociferously, persistently and uncompromisingly for peace. Especially as all things are connected, and climate change links in to both consumerism and war.

This is important to me. Not because I am an especially kind or compassionate individual – I’m not sure that I am; more pragmatic, really. It’s just my selfishness. On Judgment Day, what I’d dearly like to hear Jesus say is, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”; not, “Away from me, ye cursed. I never knew you.”


And I think the part I take in caring for the Earth, in welcoming refugees, and in working for peace, feeds in to that strongly.


8 comments:

Suze said...

I have never felt so torn about these issues, as I have in the last week. The losses on 9/11 startled me and I hated it. The violence in the last few weeks is beyond my comprehension. No one should suffer this. I feel for the victims and I feel for those so entwined in the terror process and the people who grieve for the lost on both sides. Sadly, I am unsure about how to pray about all of this. I know Christ told us that the poor would always be amongst us. But this is more than poverty and the cruelty of man seems to know no bounds. This morning another group of slaves were found in my home city. How do we protect the innocent? How can we rehome these people. I know that people will be resettled far away from their homes and I hope all our cultures adapt. How scarily the words of Revalation echo through my brain. God bless and keep us for he is our only hope. That in no way excuses us from stepping forward and fighting the manifest evil that circles our planet.

Pen Wilcock said...

I think some kind of political engagement is required of us. A myth is being perpetuated that military might and bombings will help. But that is not true. Bombing and invasion makes things worse. To speak clearly and consistently for peace and diplomacy, and to practice the ways of peace and diplomacy in our own lives, resisting antagonism and the escalation of conflict, are the skills required of us in the present time. As always, simplicity is our friend in this. An uncluttered life assists in listening and in thinking clearly. xx

Rachel Nichols said...

Although I'm not a Plain person and my church is not pacifistic, I believe the only way we will "conquer" our enemies' hatred is through the love of Christ, not through war or more hatred.

Pen Wilcock said...

I think so too.

xx

Suze said...

I must agree that military might will escalate problems rather than solve them. Now is the time for people to lead by example and to show those who believe than can browbeat the world into submission that this is not going to happen.

Pen Wilcock said...

I think so too. And somehow, we must manage to bear in mind that for those we regard as terrorists, we *are* the the ones who believe they can browbeat the world into submission. That's how they see us, and not without reason. If we want a different ore, we have to model the change we hope to see. xx

Pilgrim said...

You and Peter Hitchens on the same side, re intervention!

Pen Wilcock said...

:0) xx