Writing to a soldier in Iraq

QUOFLECTIONS^TM

ON SPIRITUALITY AND ETHICS

Writing to a Soldier in Iraq

Reverend Harry Rix

“War is hell.”
William Tecumseh Sherman

How do we decide when to go to war? Does might make right? Is the Powell Doctrine of overwhelming force appropriate—or do the short-term gains of violence ultimately backfire?

Invading Iraq was extremely popular. Do we continue to applaud future wars, opposing a war only when it fails? What is our philosophy of war? Does Christian faith address these issues

In April, 2004, I wrote a letter to a young soldier in Iraq. I release it now hoping it may advance reflection and dialogue on issues of war and peace.

Dear [John]: I wish you well. From the reports we get here, the violence has intensified and Iraq has become much more dangerous in recent days. I hope you and your friends remain safe. I am deeply troubled by the escalation of the conflict and the number of casualties.

Though I oppose the war, I certainly do not oppose you or the other soldiers who face the violence of war. I lived throughout the Vietnam era and know the ostracism faced by soldiers returning from that war—especially by those advocating peace! Peacemakers cannot be selective in their care for people without compromising their commitment to peace. Responding to soldiers with hatred cannot be justified. To my discredit, I was guilty of this hostility.

I now believe that Jesus’ admonition, “Love your enemy,” intends for us to treat no one as an enemy—whether combatants for another nation or our own nation’s combatants. Jesus demonstrates care toward the enemies of his nation. This includes Samaritans—despised for their race, religion and nationality—as well as Romans, detested for their occupation of Palestine. The popular hatred for Roman soldiers was so intense that zealots attempted to overthrown their occupiers, much as today’s zealots in Iraq. Amazingly, Jesus nevertheless exhibited love for the enemies of his nation.

Though crucified, Jesus’ forgiveness (even while impaled on the cross!) reveals that he regards no one as an enemy. Indeed, his counsel to peasants to walk the second mile with soldiers who impressed them into service for the first mile transforms a mile of resentful obligation into a mile of pursuing friendship. This extraordinary counsel shows it is not enough that we avoid hating our enemies—we must make enemies into friends. Ironically, Jesus’ deviation from the customary social practice of hatred toward Romans stirred much hatred toward him.

The war in Iraq appears to illustrate that Martin Luther King is right in his understanding of the principle that “violence begets violence.” Somehow, we must be willing to oppose injustice without escalating the injustices of tit-for-tat violence. These are arduous standards that, I confess, I cannot practice as I would like. Yet I find that when I have the willingness to pursue them—asking for God’s assistance—I feel more at peace and sense that I am closer to following God’s will.

What is God’s justice? Instead of punishing us, God accepts us despite our many transgressions. Likewise, we must be willing to forgive others and respond without violence to the afflictions they perpetrate. Perhaps this is one of the many messages of the cross: nonviolent opposition to evil promotes justice; violent opposition perpetuates injustice.

Please accept the food as a small token of friendship. I recognize that what I have written will offend some (and may offend you). Please know that I wish you and your friends well. To do anything less is to succumb to my previous hypocrisy of loving the enemies of my government while being dismissive of the soldiers who fight these enemies. Love must be intentional and inclusive of all lest we fail to follow Jesus’ example of divine love.

Because of our connection through [our employer], I sense the dangers of this war more acutely. I will be praying for you, for all our servicemen and for all who are touched by this conflict. I would be interested in hearing from you if you care to write. Blessings, Harry

©2007 Harry Rix. All rights reserved.