Up In Smoke

“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
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"What do I think of Western civilization? I think it would be a very good idea."
--Mahatma Gandhi

Because a recent Christmas post here [Victor] was misconstrued by some as a case of couched proselytizing, I felt the need to set the record straight. It is the greatest obscenity and tragedy that any man would think he has cornered the market on the Truth, and by virtue of joining a particular sect that he alone enjoys God's favor.

Victor's words were actual, and if that is the way he could find peace, more power to him. However, it is not the only way. The New York Times (12/25/06) had a good editorial on Francis of Assisi (The Peaceful Crusader) well worth reading for another approach. The reason for writing about Victor was merely to hold out the hope for peace on a personal level, which is of course what makes up the global level.

Maybe it is because I live in a provincial area, but the words of some of my kind Christian friends disturb me. Though the most devout do believe that God is all-loving, they also believe God makes an exception in the case of the Muslims, one-fifth of the earth's population, who they believe are evil. Therefore, God would sanctify a good trouncing of the likes of them ("What insolence for them to imagine the Christians, who occupy their lands, as infidels.") Of course, sitting on the Muslim side of the fence, that's just how it might seem.

Most wars have been fought in His name, or at least, with His imprimatur. Perhaps even the current one. But no human words of prophetic doom need transpire, if honest peace brokers could intervene. It is a tremendous elitism, and a terrifying prescription for global devastation, to think otherwise. Do we still cling to such superstitious fatalism in this post-Enlightenment era?

I can have nothing to do with such a death-deifying view. People do not have to die by the hands of other men. Death comes soon enough for us all.

The true believer is the most frightening of men. The most demonic thought, when couched within proper context, will appeal to him as being holy and sanctified. There is another way proposed in the Bible, but sermons which preach this love are often not worth the paper they're written on, for all the good they do. What most people hear is love of my family, my neighbors, my country. I, me, mine, thank you, George Harrison.

A little dream, perhaps, but what would be possible if we all could step out and not fear and loathe? What might all of the bomb squads, snipers, and trauma unit workers be doing instead?

--by Lisa