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Terrorism
One of the main goals of the 9/11 attacks, regardless of how they occurred or who committed them, was to inflict a maximum amount of fear into the psyche of the American people. Ever since the attacks this fear has been ceaselessly exploited by the government and media through an unrelenting mantra of “war on terror” and its associated rhetoric. Instead of turning to God for guidance during this frightening time, Christians instead turned to the state and media. They, along with the rest of the public, have been mesmerized by a glistening propaganda campaign selling war and surveillance as a means of obtaining safety. However, safety comes only from God.
It is God alone who provides for our safety.
How are Christians to respond to terrorism?
Jesus calls on his followers to act differently than the commonly held world view would have people act. This teaching of Jesus has the potential to break the cycle of violence that our “war on terror” is feeding. We occupy foreign lands and kill their people, they retaliate with acts of violence…we then feel justified in launching new attacks and they will retaliate as well. We end up in a situation where we authorize predator drone strikes on wedding parties in small Arab villages. Who are the real terrorists? It depends only on what side you are on. Young Arabs will grow up hating America. American children grow up hating Arabs… Jesus shows us a better way.
It is time to replace our attitudes of hate and revenge with ones of compassion and forgiveness. Christians must replace their fear of terrorism with trust in God. We must turn our wishes for security into actions that will lead to a more peaceful world.
It is time to replace our attitudes of hate and revenge with ones of compassion and forgiveness. Christians must replace their fear of terrorism with trust in God. We must turn our wishes for security into actions that will lead to a more peaceful world.
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