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Saturday, 30 December 06 ::
sadaam
I'm not sure why I'm so bothered by the death of Sadaam Hussein. I know he did some awful awful things, but when I've looked at the pictures of him on tv, recent pictures, the idea of putting him to death just sickened me. In the pictures I've not seen a dictator, what I have seen is a broken down old man. I'm not sure why those feelings have been so strong, because i know they certainly don't have to do with the hypocrisy of the situation. What it is is seeing the humanity of the man, and listening to a world speak not of peace but of vengeance. And all the western worlds' hatred is / was directed at one man.
We just finished a period of celebrating a man who loved everyone. On a lot of cards that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the word Peace is found. All over the world people celebrate his birth, and yet there seems to be a deep disregard to some of his most important teachings.
Here is one of my most favourite sections of the bible (yes, i've been known to read the Bible. Interesting, and good stuff, in there):
St. Matthew 5:1-17
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, cfor my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
And I understand that - there are stories of war in the bible, that people are imperfect, but for a world that preaches wanting peace, we certainly don't do a very good job of it, at least I don't think we do.
I find it very frustrating that as humans we seem bound and determined to ignore the pieces in the teachings of the religions of the world that bring us together. Rather it seems that we are bound and determined to hold on to the pieces that keep us separated.
What is it that we are getting from the death of Sadaam Hussein? How is this world a better place because someone has died? How have the lives of those who he's destroyed been made better? I can't answer that, but from my vantage point it doesn't seem as though great healing of the heart can come from someone else's death.
If I were blessed enough to have children old enough to understand what is going on right now I would not let them watch the news right now. I wouldn't want them learning the lessons that this is how we solve problems, how we treat people. I want them learning other lessons. Instead I'd put on a movie about Gandhi, or Dr. King. I would want my children to learn that we can solve problems without hitting, without vengeance.
I know that I am guilty of everything I've written here. It is difficult to move into love when someone has acted in ways that are abominable. It's not our instinct. It's not the easy way to handle things.
posted by brooke at December 30, 2006 09:42 AM
