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Recently I've heard that one of the texts that speak to the core of the gospel is Matthew 28:18-20. From another source I heard suggested that "love of enemy" from Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-31is also a core part of the Gospel message. These two commands flow together in vital and life giving ways. They are not easy to follow nor can they be taken lightly. Is it possible to truly invite folks to become followers of Jesus and not love our enemies? Is it possible to love the enemy and not tell of Jesus and the message of God's love that he brought to us? As we listen to news of injustice and abuse from Iraq, how are we as those committed to following the way of Jesus responding? Michael Berg is the father of Nicholas Berg, the American contractor who was beheaded in Iraq. It is interesting to read his words, knowing the sorrow that he is experiencing. This is an excerpt from a letter he sent to be read at the Stop the War Coalition demonstration in London. The next article by Daryl Byler describes systemic problems and suggestions for ways the U.S. government needs to change in its actions in Iraq. It is important to know the truth of the actions for which our government is responsible. I trust that as we write to our elected government officials and walk and talk with others, we will remember the words of Jesus and consider what it means for us to love our enemies and know that God loves them. The last section is a letter that Daryl sent to church leaders inviting us to join him in prayer. "So what were we to do when we in America were attacked on Sept. 11, that infamous day? I say we should have done then what we never did before: Stop speaking to the people we labeled our enemies and start listening to them. Stop giving preconditions to our peaceful coexistence on this small planet, and start honoring and respecting every human's need to live free and autonomously, to truly respect the sovereignty of every state whether it be Israel, or Palestine, or Iraq. To stop making up rules by which others must live — and then separate rules for ourselves." — Michael Berg Overcome by evil, or overcoming evil with good? by J. Daryl Byler But various human rights organizations -- including Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), a program of Mennonite, Brethren and Quaker churches; Amnesty International; and the International Committee of the Red Cross -- have documented and reported to high-level U.S. officials evidence of widespread abuse of Iraqi detainees for more than a year now. "What we now see in Iraq is the logical consequence of the relentless pursuit of the 'war on terror' regardless of the costs to human rights and the rules of war," says Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, in a May 7 press release highlighting the U.S. abuse of Iraqi detainees. "The U.S. administration has shown a consistent disregard for the Geneva Conventions and basic principles of law, human rights and decency," Khan continues. "This has created a climate in which U.S. soldiers feel they can dehumanize and degrade prisoners with impunity." In January 2004, CPT sent Ambassador L. Paul Bremer and General Ricardo Sanchez -- the top U.S. civilian and military leaders in Iraq -- a report documenting numerous abuses of Iraqi detainees. The CPT report (available at www.cpt.org) is based on interviews with dozens of Iraqi detainees and their families from May 31 through Dec. 20, 2003. While the abuses cited by CPT were not as shocking as those cited by the Pentagon's own report, leaked to the press in late April, nevertheless CPT pointed to serious systemic problems in the U.S. capture and treatment of Iraqi detainees. In mid-March, representatives from CPT and the MCC U.S. Washington Office
met with the offices of Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) and Sen. Chuck Hagel
(R-Neb.) to discuss the CPT report and to call for congressional hearings
on the detainee issue. Sen. Lugar's office subsequently requested a Pentagon
briefing on this issue. The Pentagon responded on The International Committee of the Red Cross gave its report documenting detainee abuses to Bremer and Sanchez in February 2004. Amnesty International claims it has given reports to the White House, Pentagon and State Department for the past two years, documenting a "pattern of abuse by U.S. agents against detainees, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, stretching back over the past two years." But not until "60 Minutes" released graphic photos, April 28, showing U.S. soldiers abusing and mocking Iraqi detainees, did the Bush administration acknowledge publicly that there was a serious problem that could have colossal consequences for U.S. efforts to create democracy in Iraq. Indeed, the worst case scenarios of chaos and violence seem almost unimaginable. Already one Iraqi group claims to have beheaded a U.S. civilian in retaliation for the U.S. treatment of Iraqi prisoners. Is there still a hopeful way forward? Perhaps. But it will require repentance, humility and a steadfast commitment to act justly. First, rather than already concluding that the abuse was perpetrated by a few errant soldiers, President Bush and the Pentagon must cooperate completely with an independent congressional investigation to determine the full extent of the problem. Second, some in Congress may see this tragedy as a time to score political points. But this is a time for the entire nation to be penitent, not partisan. The gravity of this situation could affect U.S. relations around the world for years to come. Congress must work with the president to find appropriate ways to make restitution and take other remedial steps. Finally, the president and Congress must make fundamental shifts in U.S. foreign policy, specifically in their approach to the "war on terrorism." This war has placed far too much trust in U.S. military power and far too little emphasis on dialogue and international cooperation. Furthermore, the Pentagon has too often demeaned the value of Iraqi lives and culture by refusing to keep statistics on Iraqi casualties of war and ignoring or being insensitive to Iraqi customs. And the bravado rhetoric of national leaders, including the president, has contributed to a culture of disdain for international law and the humanity of detainees held around the world in U.S. custody. Arguably it is this lethal combination -- U.S. military dominance, devaluing Iraqi lives and culture and disdain for international law -- that created the climate in which many soldiers have felt free to abuse Iraqi detainees. The president has described the war on terrorism as a war between good and evil. But in the past several weeks the world has seen graphic and disturbing evidence that the war on terrorism has climbed into bed with terror itself. It has deteriorated into a war on the rule of law – selectively upholding basic civil liberties, human rights and international law. The Apostle Paul's basic principle rings true: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). Whether in the church or between nations, evil will never be overcome by any power other than good. Dear Church leaders: The fallout from this abuse could impact the church's missions and ministries for years to come. Robin Wright, who has covered the Middle East for 30 years, wrote in Sunday's Washington Post: "What I fear most is that frustration over Iraq and disgust with Abu Ghraib will give common cause and a rallying cry to far-flung Muslim societies." What is the role of the church at this volatile time? How does the church call the nation to a time of repentance and offer a hopeful way forward? It strikes me that these ten days between Ascension Day and Pentecost are an important time to call the church to prayer -- much as the first century church waited and prayed for the promised Holy Spirit. How desperately we need a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit today -- to bring comfort, guidance, truth and conviction of sin! In light of the gravity of the current international situation, I am choosing to make these next 10 days ones of prayer and fasting -- and to see where that leads. I invite you to join me for any part of this experience and to also call the church to a time of prayer. Many, including Pentagon officials, believe that the violence in Iraq will only increase in the next six weeks as we move toward June 30. Warm regards, J. Daryl Byler, Director, MCC Washington Office [top]
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© 2003 Mennonite Central Committee |