To The Telegram:
The ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians and our own violent conflicts in the Middle East will continue as long as a certain mindset remains in the world. The mindset is "If some people harm us we must harm them. We must protect ourselves, and the only way to do this is by committing acts of violence on the perpetrator."
This is the mindset of most of the world, including the United States. This mindset is in direct contradiction to the teachings of Christ. (Matt. 5, James 3 & 4) The world thinks it knows better than God, and we all suffer because of it.
As long as revenge and retaliation and using violence for protection is the mindset of people there will always be the killing and maiming of people. No one will be safe. The only way to peace and security is the way of Christ, to love one's enemy, and do good to her/him.
Unless the mindset is changed in the world there will be continual wars and bloodshed, injustice and cruelty in the world. In this new year, we should change our mindset of violence, and follow the mindset of Christ as was followed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, "An eye for an eye blinds everyone. Many men cry 'Peace, Peace!' but they refuse to do the things that make for peace. The choice is no longer between violence and nonviolence. It is between nonviolence and nonexistence."
ADVERTISEMENT
Becoming nonviolent would be an appropriate way to celebrate his birthday on Jan. 15.
"After the terrorist attacks on 9/11/01, Americans experienced tragic loss and were in solidarity with oppressed people around the planet. They had a choice. They could react with humility and seek to join with other countries to remove the causes of terrorism or they could become the enemy they feared -- the terrorist. They chose the latter." -Nelson Mandela
-- Rev. Don Timmerman
Park Falls
