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1. The first question is not; "will it make a difference."
The first question must be, is it consistent with my understanding
of my faith and the calling of that faith. If discernment determines
that it is, then the act is carried out, believing that it will
make a difference. Perhaps a small difference or a large difference,
but a very important difference.
2. Perhaps the second question is, "What do you do when
your spiritual being tells you to love, but the institutional
expression of faith and politics is belligerent and vindictive?"
To whom/what do you listen? The institutions (religious and/or
political) and those loud voices within them calling for vengeance
and exclusivism because it is the requirement of true patriotism
and a certain interpretation of what/who god is? Or the voice
inside of you that calls for empathy, compassion, and understanding
etc. because that is required of you by your spiritual faith?
-In the USA, people are being told by Army Lt. General William
Boykin that we are, in effect, involved in a holy war. God is
on our side against a lesser, and even an evil god. He is asking
people to accept his interpretation of what God is requiring of
a so-called Christian nation. Is this truly God’s agenda?
Or is it Boykin’s agenda cloaked in Biblical language?
-Simplifying the world down into them and us, right and wrong,
good and bad, our side and their side, closes minds, limits creative
and critical thinking, destroys the democratic space needed for
effective and just solutions to conflicts and denigrates a God
who created a world out of love and saw that it was good.3. If
we answer the question, "What do you do when your spiritual
being tells you to love, but the institutional expression of faith
and politics is belligerent and vindictive?" by trying to
listen to that voice of spiritual goodness that lies within each
of us, then we probably need some help. Where do we get that help?
1. grassroots inspire me (my theological training has come from
the marginalized)
2. other faiths – when I am confident and firmly planted
in my own spirituality (Christian) I am not threatened by those
of other faiths, actions (armed struggle) etc. I can open up myself
to listen to them, learn from them, and allow them to challenge
me and to search with them for deeper truths.
3. the movement itself because my involvement in the struggle
for an inclusive community, compassionate community with justice
as its foundation was fueled by my understanding of my spiritual
connection to the Christian faith. I try to determine my life
and my actions through my spirituality and not define my spirituality
by the way I would like to respond/act to events going on around
me.
4. -the stories of how the marginalized and oppressed struggle
for human dignity. The stories of war and war heroes are told
over and over again, statues and monuments built to them etc.
The stories of the marginalized and oppressed should be told with
as much or more energy. Monuments should be built to their struggles
and the wisdom they have to share with us.
5. We must not look for big differences/successes, but rather
find hope in the small steps that are taken toward justice, inclusive
community, and a true and lasting peace.
6. When as much energy, funds, creative thinking and commitment
are used to find more constructive, justice-centered and creative
means of working for global security and peace as that used for
preparing and carrying out wars. Then a true justpeace will become
a reality. John F. Kennedy said 'war will cease to exist when
conscientious objectors enjoy the same prestige as warriors.'
It matters what we do and what we do not do in this threatened
world of ours. And it is very important that we bring all of our
great diversity of faith, culture, tradition, creative thinking
and dreams together so we can learn from each other and join hands
to build an inclusive and participatory justpeace movement. In
contrast to President Bush’s statement that "you are
either for us or against us," I would quote from the Bible
(Mark 9) 38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man
driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because
he was not one of us." 39"Do not stop him," Jesus
said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next
moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against
us is for us.
Max Ediger Originally came from the United
States (Oklahoma) and worked with the Mennonite Central Committee
since 1966. He was first in Burundi, Africa for two and a half
years, then worked in Viet Nam from 1971 to 1976. Following that
he worked in Thailand and moved to Hong Kong in 2001.
This series of dialogues in English is
being co-organised by the HKNRP and the HK Vegetarian Society
to promote peace at both a local and worldwide level on the basis
of spiritual co-operation and common service. They are generally
held every last Saturday of the month. Simultaneous interpretation
is available in Cantonese. Enquiries: call Peter 2982 2807. For
venue direction, call Kelvin 8106 3332. In November 29 the topic
is ' Diet and Spirituality: You are what you eat' and in December
27 the topic is 'Right Livehood'.
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