"Dr. Martin Luther King was such an inspirational leader," said a 53 year old woman, who with her husband often joins the vigil for a few minutes as they did last night. "You don't see that kind of moral leadership today [opposing the wars as Dr. King had vigorously opposed the Vietnam War].
"I guess you serve that role today," she added softly. It is a damning statement for nearly all religious leaders across the U.S. are silent about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as if the wars had no religious importance.
Today's Christian leaders apparently don't even see the connection with one of the most important statements in all of Christianity, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, which preached love and forgiveness, while condemning violence. These religious leaders don't raise their voices for peace and few even comfort the families that bear such tragic consequences.
I believe if Jesus were here today, he too would conduct peace vigils and call upon his followers to do everything in their power to stop these wars.
In Iraq for the five days prior to the vigil, the violence was horrific. Explosion after explosion rocked that nation, especially in Baghdad, and numerous men, women and children were killed or severely maimed physically and emotionally.
But thousands of miles away, in support of the vigil, drivers honked their horns as others waved and several held up their two finger peace signs. One driver felt so strongly, he drove up to the vigil, stopped his car in heavy traffic, lowered his passenger window, leaned across the seat and held up his two finger peace sign to unmistakably express himself.
Mid way into the vigil, at a red light, a black sedan stopped a car length back so a 40 ish father and his 10 year old son could carefully read the sign. It triggered a father-son discussion, as the father gently motioned at the sign, as he looked lovingly at his boy. It is deeply rewarding to witness this and it offers hope that the son will remember what was discussed and that he too may one day compassionately stand up for others in distress.
Later, as the vigil came to a close, a 50 ish woman said, "Thank you for doing what you do. The old men send the young men off to die. It's so sad. But now that we're there, what choice do we have? But bless you."
"We could end these wars as most wars end," I replied. "We could call for a cease-fire and negotiate a settlement with the warring parties, then go home." She looked at me as if I was crazy, shaking her head and rolling her eyes, for it can't be that simple. And yet when enough blood is spilled, and vast sums of money are wasted, it almost always is that simple.
"Thank you for caring for these people," I added. "We all care about these wars and these people," she answered loudly. But we don't know what to do about it. That's the bottom line."
She had made up her mind there was nothing she could do, as so many others have, and therefore like them, she doesn't do anything. As people of conscience, it is necessary for each of us, in our own way, to take action. For it is in our action and not our wishful thinking, or in our fantasies about our once great nation, that define us as compassionate human beings.
Dick
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