| Ohio Conference United Church of Christ |
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What in the world is wrong? |
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I am writing this four days after September
11, 2001. This day will be remembered as the day when we were
shocked and horrified to see airplanes deliberately crashing into
buildings to kill people. In the days that followed, we watched on
television the ongoing aftermath of the horror of it all. We see
this act of terrorism and ask why? Are we Americans so bad, so
terrible that people hate us so much that they want to kill us?
We can quickly say these are crazy terrorists who have no regard for human and moral life. They will do anything to get what they want. We can quickly say that these people are such fanatics that they have lost all sense of common humanity. We can quickly say these things, but that does not answer the question. What is so bad about us that they would commit these terrible acts? What causes a person to believe in something so much that they would commit suicide for the cause? Those persons who have served in war settings know something of the courage and devotion that make people willing to give their lives for a cause. We have plenty of history in which brave women and men have given their lives for the ideals of this great country. These terrorists were political and religious fanatics. Most Americans and most Christians do not understand how a person could do such acts out of religious commitment. We have had some persons in the United States who have taken violent action for their religious beliefs. Planned Parenthood Centers have been bombed, children in a Jewish childcare center have been shot, and more acts of violence have taken place. We say these people are crazy and totally unbalanced, which they are. But are we in touch with our own faith powerfully enough that we are willing not to kill other people into submission but to love people into submission to God’s love? What frightens me most about the reaction to this terrible tragedy is that we Americans will commit the same kinds of acts for which we condemn others. Violence brings on more violence. The histories of the Middle East and Ireland should teach us the futility of that behavior. Don’t misunderstand me. I want these terrorists brought to justice, but I also want us to act in moral ways, even when other people act without morality. Alexis de Tocqueville said in the nineteenth century, "When America ceases to be good it ceases to be great." When Christians cease to have love as our motivating force in life, we cease to be followers of Christ. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you.’ (Matthew 5:43-44) I know that I want to seek retribution against those that kill others, but I know also that I must live with my commitments to the Gospel. Have I figured out what we Americans should do about this tragic and terrible act? No. I know I must take time to find out what God would have me do rather than react in ways that make other people victims of my acceptance of violence as the only answer. I know I have a lot to pray and think about. I need to work through my own feelings about these issues. Maybe all of us do. May God give us the courage to live according to God’s call upon our lives. In the meantime, let us pray for all the victims of violence and hate in this world. There is a lot of work yet to be done to bring God’s message to all of humanity. |