November 14, 2015
World War III
In response to the violence in France. We should condemn as evil the attacks upon Paris and call all in metro Saint Louis to respond in ways that affirm the greater power of compassion, and peacemaking. Though international powers must forcefully oppose the radicals who have lost their love for humanity, we know the radicals will be defeated, spiritually and physically, by cooperation between people of all religious faiths to create a merciful, fair and compassionate world.
George Bush led us into this war with bravado, shock and awe. But his policies had very little to do with undermining the spiritual and religious roots of this war. “We fight,” as the apostle of Jesus, Paul, said “not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities: in this world and in the spiritual realm.” Obviously, we do fight against flesh and blood, those people who are willing to tear human flesh and spill human blood. But that very physical war, and its allied spiritual powers of intimidation and fear, will not bring Peace. Victory of that kind of physical force can bring a lull in the violence, and can establish a foundation for the rule of law. But, in the end we must be the peace we want to be in the world. We must undermine the forces which separate and oppress, and replace them with democratic process, compassionate action and mutual understanding.
Every violent attack can make us afraid. We can become like the cousins of Arjuna, ready to spill more blood in anger, or we can be like Arjuna at the beginning of the Gita, overwhelmed by evil. But the best is to heed the voice of the One: on world, one humanity, one spirit of inculsion peace and agape Love.
Rev. Thomas Perchlik's Weblog 