Choose peace
Reverend Jonathan David Lawrence
graduate student
"What would Jesus do?" It's a question that has become commonplace in America. It's one that a student raised in my class last week and I've been struggling with ever since the attacks on Sept. 11, especially as I hear politicians speak of justice and retaliation as if they were the same thing.
I am an ordained minister and a graduate student in theology. I have lived in the Middle East and experienced firsthand the fear that terrorists can cause, fear that persists long after retaliatory strikes have been carried out. I am also a new father who wants to protect his five-month old daughter and build a world of peace in which she can grow up without fear.
I am one of the 8 percent of Americans cited in a TV poll who oppose retaliation against those responsible for Tuesday's tragedy, even as we grieve with the victims. We are not un-American or naïve, nor do we seek to make America weak. We are patriotic and realistic citizens who seek justice without violence and advocate a realistic alternative which actually requires great strength and courage. I ask you now to listen to our voices as you consider the actions our country should take in response to this week's tragedies.
What would Jesus do? I realize that this may seem like an irrelevant question in the face of the political and practical realities that must be considered in choosing how to respond to violence. Yet I believe that a non-violent response has legitimacy. This year we even saw the trial of those responsible for the Lockerbie bombing. It took a long time and may have been anticlimactic compared to the actions of the guilty parties, but it was accomplished without violence, using international law.
Perhaps a non-violent response could convince terrorists that we are not the arrogant, power-hungry monsters that they claim. Perhaps they might even change their ways and give up violence. Even if I'm being too optimistic, consider the example we set for our children. We try to teach our children that violence and vigilant responses are wrong. We claim that our nation is founded upon the principles of justice and fair trials. Let us remain true to these principles, even in this horrible tragedy, and search for justice not a continuation of violence.
The Bible repeatedly tells the story of how God's people failed when they tried to accomplish things by themselves, instead of relying on God. But when they did rely on God's power, amazing things happened. Are we about to make that same mistake? Will our reliance on our own military power prevent God from working wonders in our time?
What would Jesus do? Jesus taught his followers to forsake the revenge of an "eye for an eye" and instead to love our enemies and to turn the other cheek. Many people have called this a Christian country. If we are a Christian country, should we not take his instructions very seriously?
I'll be honest. I don't know exactly what Jesus would do in this situation. Each of us must ponder this alone. Even so, this week we have seen Americans of all backgrounds come together in clinics across the country and wait patiently for hours to donate blood for the victims of Tuesday's attack. I would rather that our children and future generations remember that image from this week, not the violent retaliation against our enemies.
I know that there are many complex issues involved in choosing America's response to this tragedy. I understand that many people are angry. That is completely legitimate and I share their anger and grieve with all of the victims, their families and the nation. Yet I pray that whatever we do, we do it because it is the right and necessary thing to do, not because we are angry or afraid or because our pride was hurt.
Our leaders and we ourselves must follow our consciences, but I ask each of you to listen to this question as well. Please ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?"
Reverend Jonathan David Lawrence
graduate student
Sept. 17, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Wednesday, September 19, 2001
