Transthought

Flow Gently, Sweet People

What to make of Israel's determination to destroy Hezbollah? What to make of Hezbollah's and Hamas's determination to destroy Israel? It goes back to biblical times and the entire history of the scriptures is to assure humanity that God has a way of overcoming the sins of the world. I find myself skeptical of any Divine activity in any of this. God is not a god who takes sides in human conflict. God, to my understanding of the term, is one who is god of all, not of some. It makes the scriptures suspect when it speaks of chosen people, the elect, or any other term used to designate god's favorite people. Ot it makes the people suspect who resort to the use of such terms to justify their actions or sins.

It makes prayer interesting. Both sides seem to be praying. Who is listening? It is like athletes praying before a game, or a team having a chaplain on its bench or in the locker room. Why should god give a victory to this team rather than that one? Or like farmers praying about the weather. Or teenagers wanting good weather on beach days when farmers want rain. Religion sure confuses the human condition. Was it Schleiermacher who announced that the problem is not religion, but religions?

Reporters and politicians from both or all sides are the talking heads on television, each giving an interpretation of what is going on, on who caused it, on what should be done. It is all beyond logic. War has no logic, despite its reliance on science and strategy. If anyone had any sense, there would be no triggers pulled, no missiles fired, and no killing or property damage. But the war toys exist and when the toys are present, they will be used, sooner or later. We are now at the sooner part of that time and the missiles are bringing death and destruction on both sides of the Lebanese border. Neither side has the right to shoot at the other, no matter what the provocation.

I do not understand war, military, or politics. I do not really understand property rights, or materialism in general. What is mine is everybody's. Sharing is the only way to behave, not grabbing or having or wanting or pouting or yelling. The gentle spirit is the most productive of all. But that is far too ideal in this world of lust and power. When will we ever learn?

Wayne's words for July 21, 2006

posted by Wayne Olson @ 9:52 AM