Sent: 3/17/2003 11:41 PM
Dear American Christians,
Well, here you are. How does it feel standing at the edge of something most great and tremendous? How does it feel to know your responsibility. Look linger lost beyond the canyon before you. Yes, you in this America in this world as we know it this very day are making a decision that faces grave consequences as does any and all violence, no matter its justification. And although some of you aren't exactly rooting for the team, you remain a member as even in your silence, you are saying something. It has been heard.
Therefore, I must ask you, are you willing to deal with your ramifications? Are you sure of your cause? Are all the lives sacrificed among all U.S. soldiers, Iraqi soldiers, and the men, women and children who just happen to live their lives in Baghdad worth it? And furthermore, can you justly throw stones when America itself has its own corruption, tyranny, and weapons of mass destruction?
No, no, no; rather, answer this: When it's all said and done, Christian, have you loved?
It would seem that would be exactly what American Christians should be asking of themselves as they look towards God in these most important times. Through all of this, has my concentration been on love for all? For isn't that what Christ did for you? He loved you. He loves you. He paid a quite a price for you to be you, flawed and all. You are saved by His grace. And I would think it is a small price you pay to do as He commanded you when He said to love others. Love others.
Do not be mistaken: Love cannot be wrapped in bombs or the mothers thereof. Love is not causing others to fall. Love is not saving some when you can save all.
Love is giving all that you can. Love is supporting of each and every broken man. Love is trying to understand.
Are American Christians loving only yourselves or others? Others? Perhaps you may love the idea of liberation for a people, but in your soul's life, you are not loving of the innocent, human like you, who are murdered in the process of hopefully achieving an ideal concept. A concept still flawed on this planet.
And God sees this. And God knows this.
Smelling death from my home in New York City after September 11th, I swore that I should not want for it to happen anywhere else in the world to any humans' lives. I find myself now more nauseated by the odor of my government's impending action than I was at watching a human life jump from a building to avoid the flames that would soon extinguish it. This will be happening in Baghdad very shortly, and it willbe credited to you. You.
We must think about some deep questions today. Wake up and think.
And don't be offended, for if you hear what I'm feeling you can just shout an . . . Amen.
In complete love,
