[Peace-discuss] Public Square for 1/06/06

[Durl Kruse]

This Public Square Commentary will be recorded today and aired on FM 
580 WILL this Friday 4:45 PM and 6:45 PM.

Hello, my name is Durl Kruse.  I am a member of AWARE, the local anti 
war anti racism effort. I also have been a life long member of the 
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

Today it seems many Christian churches are failing to address a major 
moral and ethical challenge. Namely how to respond to our country’s 
growing militarism, ongoing occupation of Iraq, and call for endless 
war?  Clearly these are difficult and troublesome moral issues.

On Sunday, November 27, I stood in the rain with a small group of 
members of AWARE in front of St. John’s Lutheran Church on Mattis 
Avenue holding signs proclaiming “Peace on Earth”, “Say No to War” and 
“Blessed are the Peacemakers”.  Some people felt this church presence 
was bold, appropriate, and long over due.  Others strongly opposed it.  
Regardless, our goal was not to offend but rather to inspire within the 
Christian community more thoughtful reflection and discussion about the 
morality and justification of our nation’s war on terrorism, our 
country’s ongoing occupation of Iraq, and our growing militarism in 
general.

In a recent phone conversation with the associate Pastor from St. 
John’s, he stated that he was personally offended by our actions and 
that members of the congregation were likewise offended. In short he 
stated that I should make a personal public apology to him and the 
members of the congregation.  Our presence that Sunday morning he 
stated was inferring St. John’s was some how responsible for the war.

Maybe some questions rather than an apology might be more helpful in 
speaking to the difference of thought regarding this moral dilemma.

In a free and democracy society, are not citizens responsible for their 
government’s actions and choices?  Does that not make each of us at 
least partially responsible for the ongoing occupation of Iraq and our 
country’s expanding militarism?

Considering that we now know that misleading and false information was 
used to justify going to war, should not the church be morally 
outraged?

Considering that we now know how the war and occupation has been 
mishandled and conducted: the use of torture, secret and illegal 
detentions, unlawful governmental spying, the curtailing of civil 
liberties, the untold deaths and injuries of tens of thousands of 
innocent Iraqi civilians, the unfortunate deaths and injuries of 
American servicemen and women, and the extraordinary financial costs in 
the billions of dollars, should not the church be morally outraged?

Certainly the church ought to be able to envision and promote a more 
life affirming national policy that would reduce and end terrorism 
while leading to a more peaceful, safe and just world!

Where is the clear unequivocal gospel voice of Jesus proclaiming, 
“blessed are the peacemakers” and “love your enemies”?  Where is the 
transforming message of love and compassion?

To the members of St. John’s and other Christians who may be offended 
by a few people of conscience standing in front of their church, 
consider for a moment that Jesus challenged both the church and state 
of his day, called for nonviolence, preached a message of hope and 
life, and never apologized to either for his actions.

If the historical Jesus were alive today, where would he be standing?  
Inside the institutional church or outside challenging us to be people 
of peace and nonviolence. 
  
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