The man of peace on war

by Stephany D.G. Jackson,
associate for congregational leadership in the Office of Christian Formation

The ultimate weakness of violence
   is that it is a descending spiral,
   begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.
Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.
Through violence you may murder the liar,
   but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish
     the truth.
Through violence you murder the hater,
   but you do not murder hate.
In fact, violence merely increases hate...
Returning violence for violence multiples violence,
   adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid
     of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can
     do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This year as we celebrate the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we remember not only the words he spoke on his dream for equality and civil rights in America, but also the courageous way he spoke out against unjust war. The following excerpts are taken from his address to
Clergy & Laity Concerned about Vietnam, at Riverside Church in New York City on April 4, 1967. Dr. King presented a message that resonates deeply with those who question or oppose unjust wars today.

“Here is the true meaning and value of compassion and nonviolence, when it helps us to see the enemy’s point of view, to hear his questions, to know his assessment of ourselves. For from his view we may indeed see the basic weaknesses of our own condition, and if we are mature, we may learn and grow and profit from the wisdom of the brothers who are called the opposition.”
   Question for Reflection — As Christians do we    compromise our allegiance to our nation if we show    compassion for, engage in dialogue with or pray for the    citizens of the nation with which we are at war?

“To me, the relationship of this ministry to the making of peace is so obvious that I sometimes marvel at those who ask me why I am speaking against the war. Could it be that they do not know that the Good News was meant for all men — for communist and capitalist, for their children and ours, for black and for white, for revolutionary and conservative? Have they forgotten that my ministry is in obedience to the one who loved his enemies so fully that he died for them?

What then can I say to the Vietcong or to Castro or to Mao as a faithful minister of this one? Can I threaten them with death or must I not share with them my life?”
   Question for Reflection — What is your New Testament    understanding of just war as it relates to the ministry    and mission of Jesus Christ?

“Increasingly, by choice or by accident, this is the role our nation has taken, the role of those who make peaceful revolution impossible by refusing to give up the privileges and the pleasures that come from the immense profits of overseas investments. I am convinced that if we are to get on the right side of the world revolution, we as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values.”
   Question for Reflection — Do we act as if we have been    chosen by God to be a divine messianic force to bring    democracy to the world? How successfully do we    implement our democratic ideals in our own nation?

“We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered.”
   Question for Reflection—Dr. King cites racism,    materialism and militarism as contributors to a “thing-    oriented society.” How has our society progressed since    this speech was delivered, and what are the contributors    today?

During this MLK holiday, as we remember the man who gave his life for peace, we remember members of the PC(USA) who have families engaged in or affected by war. If you wish to show your support for these families or for your own family members who are in Iraq or anywhere else in the world protecting the well-being of our nation, here are a few suggestions:

• Prepare care packages for military personnel.
• Send thank-you notes to families who are sharing
  their loved ones with the nation during this holiday.
• Form a peace and justice commission in your
  congregation to write letters to congresspersons
  in support of the well-being of U.S. troops.
• Plan a “military appreciation Sunday.”
• Plan a special dinner for military families, which
  includes a civilian award ceremony for each family.
• Plan a special outing for children of military personnel.
• Write letters to the president of the United States
  encouraging work toward finding a peaceful solution
  to conflict.
• Plan an essay-writing contest on nonviolence.
• Include the reflections provided in this article for a
  Bible study or a discussion on the role of the church
  during times of war.