Who Would Jesus Bomb?

Published July 28, 2007 IN THEORY Is there a Moral Defense for Nuclear Weapons? Q: An ecumenical group of Catholics, Evangelicals, Episcopal bishops and Muslim leaders has signed a statement that affirms the value of diplomacy in talks over stopping the spread of nuclear weapons. Yet, in our own country, such weapons stand as a military defense. Is there a moral defense for nuclear weapons? A: WWJB? Isn’t that what it’s all about? Who would Jesus bomb? And if we can answer that question, then the logical next step is to discuss weaponry, nuclear or conventional? Somehow we want to believe that nuclear weapons are more destructive than other weapons, but they are not. When you factor in the emotional and psychological scaring that goes with the destruction and havoc brought by weapons, you understand that all weapons have the same destructive power. Fall out from nuclear weapons may linger, but the lasting effects of bombs and torture on the human psyche is transferable through generations as hatred is kindled and explodes in a variety of forms of violence and terror. A few years ago, we went on a hunt for “WMD” in Iraq, while it escaped us that the biggest weapon of mass destruction was the totalitarian regime which implemented torture and killings. If you think about it, the actions of that regime, in fact, had both short and long term physical and psychological effects on the victims. The bigger discussion here is that of “just war.” Is there such a thing? St. Augustine introduced the conversation to the Western church. We in Eastern Christianity have not develop this discussion to the extent Augustine did which might explain the proliferation for massacres and even genocide in our pockets of the world. Is there a time when the violence, war and nuclear weapons are justified? The truth is, when we look at this topic from a religious perspective, and in particular a Christian one, there is only one answer. It’s based on the reality that for God all wars are civil wars. Ultimately, we need to go one step further and say there is no defense for weapons of any sort. Unfortunately, we’re not all on the same playing field. This discussion is absurd for too many people. For that reason, the actions of this interfaith group of leaders are truly commendable. These are the first steps toward peace. Our prayers should be with them and for our world. Fr. Vazken Movsesian Armenian Church In His Shoes Mission

The power of forgiveness

Note: This entry includes the comments of other "In Theorists" since the topic is about Fr. Vazken's 7x77 conference. Fr. Vazken's comment appears at the bottom of the entry.

Published July 14, 2007 -

IN THEORY

The power of forgiveness

Q:

Glendale-based In His Shoes ministries, led by your fellow In Theorist Father Vazken Movsesian, held an event last weekend, "A Forum on Forgiveness," which featured guests who have experienced tragedy at the hands of others, but have forgiven them for the terrible acts perpetrated.
Movsesian has said that the world speaks much of war, but not enough of forgiveness. What do you think? And how can forgiveness be a practical force for good?

A:

It is so doggone hard to forgive. Getting even is the natural tendency. Our society is infected with getting even. Imagine this: what if after Sept. 11, 2001, our country had not attacked Afghanistan or Iraq? Instead of getting even, what if we had practiced forgiveness and offered some kind of olive branch?

Regardless of who was president at the time, a Republican or a Democrat, if he had suggested some such peaceful gesture he probably would have been impeached.

Revenge is somehow in our blood. It is so hard to turn the other cheek.

To forgive involves such a loving spirit that not many of us can truly forgive. I personally believe that when Jesus talks about forgiveness, he is putting forth the concept that you need to forgive for your own peace of mind. For you to forgive helps you to get along with your life. If you forgive, then chances are you're not going to give yourself an ulcer or a heart attack.

So to forget about revenge not only reduces the chance for more blood-letting in society; it also helps you to get along with your life.

THE REV. C. L. "SKIP" LINDEMAN
Congregational Church of the Lighted Window
United Church of Christ
La Canada Flintridge

Jewish teachings encourage forgiveness for a person who shows true remorse for their bad deeds. And I believe that in many cases, forgiveness actually does more for the person granting it than the one receiving it. The negative energy generated when we harbor ill feelings toward someone can make our lives miserable; we should strive to release this counter-productive anger and embrace a more positive lifestyle.

We must differentiate between crimes that may temporarily hurt people versus acts that inflict permanent damage, such as murder or rape. For example, a person who misleads another into a bad business deal can't be compared to a murderer who extinguishes someone's life forever. In the prior circumstance, forgiveness would be noble, but in the latter we have no right to forgive.

Do the victims of genocide — such as the Holocaust, the Armenian tragedy or the bloodshed in Rwanda — have a moral right to forgive the human monsters of history? I believe they don't.

The Talmud relates an interesting scenario where a murderer is being led to his execution after showing genuine remorse and receiving forgiveness from the victim's family — who even petitioned the high court for a pardon.
"Should this person be set free?" asks the Talmud. It concludes that the murderer, because of his complete remorse, will merit exoneration in the world to come. But in this world, justice must be served and the execution must proceed.

We should apply the same logic in our own lives — to forgive whenever possible, but not when the crime is deep and irreversible.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center

The act of Christ's coming to be crucified was the ultimate expression of God concerning forgiveness. Condescending to become man, God-Incarnate sacrificed His earthly life to pay the debt of evil humanity. It was the only means to make forgiveness available as well as to satisfy justice, since evil cannot be ignored or simply dismissed.

Jesus is known for His teaching regarding personal insult, saying "turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:39), and if people would grasp the power of small forgiveness, perhaps the larger kind would manifest.

The Bible says "it is to [man's] glory to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 19:11).
Forgiveness has two sides, however. We can pardon instances of mistreatment, or forgive those moments in life where sin gets the better of another person at our expense, but I'm reminded of the fact that God expects repentance from malefactors in order for them to receive forgiveness; "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him" (Luke 17:3).

Forgiveness on a victim's side is the decision not to even the score or demand satisfaction. But perpetrators receive forgiveness when they turn from wickedness.

Even from the Cross, Christ forgave the temporal sins of his murderers, but unless they repented, they will receive no benefit in eternity. Forgiveness is now. It's for us and between us.

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
MontroseCommunityChurch.org

This local forum on forgiveness clearly demonstrates a basic Scientology tenet that man is basically good.

L. Ron Hubbard stated, " In all times and in most places, mankind has looked up to and revered certain values. These are called the virtues. They have been attributed to wise men, holy men, saints and gods. They have made the difference between a barbarian and cultured person, the difference between chaos and a decent society. It doesn't absolutely require a heavenly mandate nor a tedious search through the thick tomes of the philosophers to discover what 'good' is. A self-revelation can occur on the subject. It can be worked out by almost any person. If one were to think over how he or she would like to be treated by others, one would evolve the human virtues…. Rather than concentrating on censure and punishment, you would prefer people were forgiving. Correct?"

Each faith tradition today challenges us to forgive in a world where there still exists enough fear, hatred and violence to keep Earth's population at war. The ability and practice to stop feeling angry or wanting to punish someone is a practical force for peace.

Bravo Father Vazken for highlighting the importance of forgiveness and reminding us of our true spiritual nature.

CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology

Jesus Christ knows our greatest need and the common condition of our hearts. He wisely taught us to pray: "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
This prayer reminds me that ultimately all wrongs are committed against God. If I have wronged even the least, I have wronged Him.

Absolute forgiveness comes from Him alone. Happiness in life and eternal security in heaven is dependant upon asking for and receiving His forgiveness. "How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!" (Psalm 32:1) Of Jesus Christ, the Scriptures assure me that "everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." (Acts 10:43)

This prayer also reminds me that we all sin, and we are all sinned against by others. Giving and receiving forgiveness is essential for healthy living in a fallen world. Bitterness, anger and malice left unresolved cause nothing but trouble and defilement of the good things God gives me.

Exercising forgiveness keeps me from foolish and dangerous behavior, and it keeps me from provoking others to the same. Forgiveness shapes my character to be more like Him Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

PASTOR JON BARTA
Valley Baptist Church
Burbank

By way of introduction to the topic, the forum on forgiveness took place on July 7, 2007- or 7/7/7- to bring to attention Jesus' command to forgive, "not seven times but seven times seventy-seven times." [For the Bible literalists, the forgiveness equation does not refer to forgiving 539 (7x77) times, but to unlimited forgiveness.]

Our organization, In His Shoes Ministries, has actively been engaged in drawing attention and working for peace in Darfur. When we are confronted with violence on the scale of genocide, our first inclination is to move in with bigger and better weapons. Yet, Jesus speaks of something more powerful when he speaks love and forgiveness. In fact, I know from history that that same message has been responsible for survival, resurrections and growth.

Since we know hatred begets hatred and violence will only give us more violence, we seek sensible solutions to finding peace. Our intention, then, at the conference, was to tap into the power of love and forgiveness as tools to bring about peace, both locally and globally.

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church
In His Shoes Ministries