The world is
an amazingly complex place with different cultures, national interests, religions,
levels of thought and widely diverse goals, strategies, human opinions, and
constantly changing patterns of war and peace.
Perhaps the
most frightening attitude of earth’s peoples is one that has been extant over
the centuries, that war is necessary to achieve national goals and objectives;
to protect a way of life; and, to
further a nation’s goals, religious or secular.
This attitude rejects efforts towards forgiveness and peace.
In other
words, throughout history many nations and
their leaders have taken the approach that “only war will win the day”.
As political
campaigns and the heated rhetoric they will generate start to build for the
next presidential election in the United States of America, we will hear such attitudes expressed by
candidates for that office as they discuss the myriad of conflicts and
potential threats in the world today.
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| Political Discussions |
We already
see early criticism of efforts of the President and other world leaders who seek
peaceful solutions and rational negotiations,
and there will undoubtedly be loud
shouts for military action over compromise and finding an acceptable pathway to
peace.
As we stand by awaiting the inevitable chest
beating, calls for “protecting our liberty
and national honor” and derogatory comments about those peace seeking leaders,
and even efforts to defeat their negotiations, it would be well to remember the words of one
of our country’s most successful generals, a respected president and a humanitarian
of great intelligence.
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| General Dwight David Eisenhower |
President
(and General) Dwight D Eisenhower was certainly a brilliant military man, a 5
star General, Commander in Chief of the Allied Forces for the invasions of
Italy and Normandy in World War II and the Supreme Allied Commander of
NATO. Great military credentials
without a doubt. But as a man of
substance, goodness and humanity he also realized the futility of continued
warfare. We need only look back over the past 3,000 years to see that warfare
does not end warfare. The players change, the situations change but the inexplicable
inner desire of man to obliterate man is
still seen across the centuries.
We should
entreat our politicians and, indeed, all Americans to heed the call of President
Eisenhower and consider his words as we are urged to turn aside peaceful
efforts and support conflict today and in the future.
He said: "Every
gun made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final
sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and
are not clothed. This is not a way of life at all. Under the cloud of
threatening war it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."
And about
our forefathers as they established America, Eisenhower said:
"The
real fire within the builders of America was faith – faith in a provident God
whose hand supported and guided them: faith in themselves as the children
of God… Faith in their country and its principles that proclaimed man's right
to freedom and justice."
This man,
powerful in war and government, but with a deep appreciation of life and peace, understood freedom,
democracy and the importance of trusting God for the providence of all mankind.
A recent
visit to the Eisenhower Museum several years ago in Kansas revealed even
more clearly that the choices of mankind are: Do we love, or hate? Do we
seek war or can we trust peace? Are we fearful without carrying a
weapon? Are we humble enough to seek peace and understanding as a solution or must we be pumped up, arrogant and dominate the world?
The founders
of America came here to establish a nation built on peace... are we truly in
tune with that spirit of peace and love today? Have we betrayed those
early settlers who saw America as a place where people could go to bed at night
in peace, who didn't fear for their children's lives, who were tolerant of
others?
Yes, America
has always defended itself and well it should, decisively and effectively. "Ike" was certainly not one to bow down to oppression, nor should we let down our guard. But we must not let the voices of fear and
arrogance block efforts to live harmoniously with other nations and seek peace
as the first and most desirable alternative.
As a case in point, history reveals that many of the trusted allies of the United States were
at one time in conflict with us. If we
can be partners and work with countries that were at one time enemies, why
can’t we cut out the “middle man” of armed conflict and go right to peaceful
relations.
Christians, should
recall the words of the Master Christian, Christ Jesus when he said:
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto
you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it
be afraid.” John 14:27
We pray that our leaders will remember that one huge assignment that Jesus left for his followers: Love One Another! John 13:34.
Religious
Leader Mary Baker Eddy, author of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures wrote the definitive
answer: "Bloodshed, war, and oppression
belong to the darker ages, and shall be relegated to oblivion. (1 War will
end when nations are ripe for progress. (2 And when our politicians are ripe for progress, when they are ready to seek peaceful solutions whenever possible, they will be ready for office.
First Church of Christ Science and Miscellany Mary Baker Eddy
1) 285:10
2) 281:28