Strength to Love

I just got a new book to read by Martin Luther King, Jr., "Strength to Love". Mainly because of the quotes that I found in this book. It looks really intense and I look forward to reading it and sharing some insights here.

Just flipping through a new book as I usually do, I find the following passage and I am immediately hooked by this book:

Is not fear one of the major causes of war? We say that war is a consequence of hate, but close scrutiny reveals this sequence: first fear, then hate, then war, and then finally deeper hatred.

How awfully and painfully true. The only thing we really have to fear is fear itself. Why do we fight the wars we fight? FEAR.

I am sure I will write more on this book.

Going the extra mile

The verse of the day from Sojourners is from Matthew 5:38-42:

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

What would this really look like in our world? If nation would no longer rise against nation and we 'turned our swords into plowshares', what would it look like?

How radical would it be for the US after the Sep 11th attacks, to NOT go to war. Would not fighting back spur on more attacks or would there be a change of heart? If the US were to step up aid to foreign countries, to the poor with no other option but violence, could this non-violent strike on poverty and helplessness be the answer? Billions and billions of dollars spent and thousands of lives lost in Iraq and Afghanistan today. But what if instead of fighting them with bullets and war machines, we killed them with kindness?

No, I am not crazy enough to say that it would actually happen. But, what if?

Love of Enemies

Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

In our world today, where we take sides in battle. We have 'coalitions of the willing.' Our enemies are at every corner, out to destroy us, how can we take the above verses to heart?
How can we, as rich of a nation and as a people continue to see ourselves as the force of good in the world? We have become hypocrites. We use other people, other societies and other's resources for our benefit. Some more than others.

Even those that may not necessary be 'for' the push for the global economy. An economy where the weak and poor suffer. Of no fault of their own. But they just happen to not be born here. So, when why are we born here? Why is this nation so full of self professed Christians and yet with all our wealth and all our resources, we still have the poor, hungry, oppressed in this country?

It is really time to look upon each other as brothers and sisters is this world we live in. It is not too late to turn back on this empire building. It is not too late to stop the killing. It is not too late to stop the propaganda and hateful rhetoric.

The only question is how. How can we, the weak and powerless (as compared to the top 1% wealthy individuals), make a difference? How can this be done peacefully?

Out of Love

Out of Love, God created;
Out of Love, God sent the flood;
Out of Love, God's chosen liberated;
Out of Love, Jesus shed his blood;
Out of Love.

Courage to do Justice

From the UMC Hymnal:

O Lord,
open my eyes that I may see the needs of others;
open my ears that I may hear their cries;
open my heart so that they need not be without succor;
let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong,
nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places.
And so open my eyes and my ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for thee. Amen.

Bases everywhere

This map shows where US Bases are in the world and where the US uses other's military facilities? What are the reasons behind this major military presence? I do not know of any Canadian or UK bases in the states. Why is this so? Why is the US the 'police' of the world? Or, is the us more of a bully and less of a peacemaker? I wonder what it must feel like to be in another country with US planes flying over. What would it be like to have Canadian, UK or Saudi planes flying in the US?

Can there really be peace by force and is the US Really interested in peace or just preeminence in the world?

MLK Quote

I believe that MLK was one of the great prophets of our time. Insomuch as what has been recorded in history regarding his stance on war and peace, there are quite a few quotes. We all know MLK as being at the forefront of desegregation and equal rights. However, not so well known is the fight against the Vietnam war and MLK's stance against the atrocities of such.

Strength to Love (1963): (From Wikipedia, for what it is worth)

"The untimate weakness of violence is that it is a decending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you may murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate. So it goes. Returning violence for violence multiples violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. Hate multiples hate, violence mulitples violence, and toughness multiples toughness in a descending spiral of destruction. The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation."
I can't help to think about what is happening now in the world, how we were attacked and how we reacted to the attack. We had the sympathy of the world behind us at the time. So many countries. So many cultures. If we were to turn the other cheek, what would the world be like today. Even if we did pursue some under a UN resolution, what would the world be like now? Would the world not be as split? Would we all be united against one common enemy?

Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered. We have been lead down a path of violence and distruction that can only lead to further violence and destruction.

Matthew 5.44: But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Let there be Peace on Earth

These words really strike a cord with me. If only we could all give this a try. Peace.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me;

Let there be peace on earth,

The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father

Family all are we,

Let us walk with each other

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,

Let this be the moment now;

With every step I take,

Let this be my solemn vow:

To take each moment and live each moment

In peace eternally.

Let there be peace on earth

And let it being with me.

Peace

For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.
- Ephesians 2:14