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As the Iraq War was set to begin, the preacher at the small, rural_Episcopal Church I attend gave a sermon on the theology of a just war. He_laid out the conditions of the just war theory in clear and simple language_and, without taking a position, urged the congregation to use these_principles in forming their own judgments about the impending conflict.
I believe that care for the environment is a moral obligation of every human being. The question of how to enlist a sizeable portion of the human race in the exercise of this obligation is troubling.
I do not believe it is unpatriotic or disloyal to be critical of our nation’s policies in time of war or peace. Nor do I believe it is blasphemous or irreverent to be critical of the policies and practices of any religion.
For the Christian Church to change Christian teaching that has Scriptural warrant and is based upon centuries of practice is extremely difficult.
Over three decades ago, a friend visiting from Sweden taught me a valuable lesson on the deeper dimensions of politics, human history, and national identity.
As a part of his visit to the USA, I spent a day showing him major points of interest in Washington D.C. We ascended the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on a beautiful morning, not crowded by the usual swarms of tourists. In the calm and beauty of the setting, we each began to read silently the words of Lincoln’s second inaugural address engraved upon the wall: “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in __.”
As I read Lincoln’s words I found myself seized by their power in a completely unexpected intensity. I looked over at my Swedish friend and could immediately see that he was even more transfixed by the moment. We stood there and talked of the terrible period in history in which Lincoln spoke; of the preceding years of savage conflict claiming over half a million lives, tearing this nation asunder; and of the transcending, enduring power of Lincoln’s words of mutual forgiveness and steadfast love.
What Islam Really Says About Violence, Rights and Other Religions
Gomaa, Fadlallah, Mubarak, Khan, Siddiqi, Ellison, others | On Faith
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