Fighting ISIS and ISIL. Refugees
After the horrors of the terrorist attacks of the last few days I've had to think about what makes sense in terms of a response. What makes sense in terms of weakening ISIS, and ISIL. What are the ethical ways to respond, as a country and as an individual. I certainly don't have all the right answers. But I have some ideas for consideration.
1. Wherever possible find those behind attacks and use existing criminal law to prosecute them. Avoid using military law where possible. Using established criminal procedures gives ISIS ISIL less to scream about, than using a military response.
2. Cease all discrimination based on religion. Just don't go there! If you need a reminder that folks of all religions can be terrorists, go stand among the chairs in Oklahoma City. And don't forget to notice the children's chairs.
3. Refugees. Take them in with open arms! This is going to require more writing.
I think a look at the Story of the Good Smaritan is in order. There are two aspects of this story to consider in light of recent events. A reminder that Smaritan's were a hated religious group at the time Jesus told this story. First then let's look what happened outside the statium in Paris. It appears that the bomber intended to enter the stadium and activate his bomb inside so he could kill many more people. It appears that the security guard who noticed the bomb and stopped the bomber only to lose his own life as a result was a muslim, a member of the currently hated religion, by today's rekoning a Smaritan. May that security guard find peace in Allah's arms.
Now let's consider some of the other text that goes with this parable. From Luke 10:25-29, On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" The lawyer answered "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and , 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus said "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live." The lawyer wanted to justify himself, and asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" The parable followed. Though I have strong doubts about how accurate the various translations of the bible are, and I don't find it necessary to believe in the literal words to live a moral life, I do find this story useful.
We are going to receive more refugees from all over the world, but in particular from the Middle East. The governors saying they will not allow refugees to enter their states do not have standing to prevent it. So all of the states will receive refugees. I hope that we do not establish, whether by design or by accident, refugee ghettos. A concentration of folks not familiar with our laws and customs will tend to increase hostility all around.
The alternative is small groups of refugees scattered widely though out our country. I can almost hear the NIMBYs screaming now! How do we the new neighbors need to respond? We need to respond with compassion, with moral courage, and ethically. We need to respond by going beyond "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We need to do unto our new neighbors as they would have us do unto them. Our religious and ethical leaders in each community need to help ensure that any new neighbors/refugees, have open access to food, to food that meets their religious needs, if appropriate. Access to health care. Access to schools. Help in finding useful employment. Freedom to practice their faith. Help in learning our common language. But NOT attempt to convert them to whatever faith the provider follows. When a new neighbor asks questions about faith, answer, and welcome, of course. But offer the love of a neighbor without condition of conversion.
Remember as you consider those fleeing Syria and other parts of the Middle East, they are fleeing terrorism inflicted on them daily by their government and ISIS etc.
Our country must give up it's hatred of all things that seem different and foreign. We will not defeat ISIS nor ISIL with military might alone. That military might may be necessary as part of defeating them, but only a part. We must remember and act like we believe the words displayed on the Statue of Liberty:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
David
1. Wherever possible find those behind attacks and use existing criminal law to prosecute them. Avoid using military law where possible. Using established criminal procedures gives ISIS ISIL less to scream about, than using a military response.
2. Cease all discrimination based on religion. Just don't go there! If you need a reminder that folks of all religions can be terrorists, go stand among the chairs in Oklahoma City. And don't forget to notice the children's chairs.
3. Refugees. Take them in with open arms! This is going to require more writing.
I think a look at the Story of the Good Smaritan is in order. There are two aspects of this story to consider in light of recent events. A reminder that Smaritan's were a hated religious group at the time Jesus told this story. First then let's look what happened outside the statium in Paris. It appears that the bomber intended to enter the stadium and activate his bomb inside so he could kill many more people. It appears that the security guard who noticed the bomb and stopped the bomber only to lose his own life as a result was a muslim, a member of the currently hated religion, by today's rekoning a Smaritan. May that security guard find peace in Allah's arms.
Now let's consider some of the other text that goes with this parable. From Luke 10:25-29, On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?" The lawyer answered "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and , 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus said "You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live." The lawyer wanted to justify himself, and asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" The parable followed. Though I have strong doubts about how accurate the various translations of the bible are, and I don't find it necessary to believe in the literal words to live a moral life, I do find this story useful.
We are going to receive more refugees from all over the world, but in particular from the Middle East. The governors saying they will not allow refugees to enter their states do not have standing to prevent it. So all of the states will receive refugees. I hope that we do not establish, whether by design or by accident, refugee ghettos. A concentration of folks not familiar with our laws and customs will tend to increase hostility all around.
The alternative is small groups of refugees scattered widely though out our country. I can almost hear the NIMBYs screaming now! How do we the new neighbors need to respond? We need to respond with compassion, with moral courage, and ethically. We need to respond by going beyond "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We need to do unto our new neighbors as they would have us do unto them. Our religious and ethical leaders in each community need to help ensure that any new neighbors/refugees, have open access to food, to food that meets their religious needs, if appropriate. Access to health care. Access to schools. Help in finding useful employment. Freedom to practice their faith. Help in learning our common language. But NOT attempt to convert them to whatever faith the provider follows. When a new neighbor asks questions about faith, answer, and welcome, of course. But offer the love of a neighbor without condition of conversion.
Remember as you consider those fleeing Syria and other parts of the Middle East, they are fleeing terrorism inflicted on them daily by their government and ISIS etc.
Our country must give up it's hatred of all things that seem different and foreign. We will not defeat ISIS nor ISIL with military might alone. That military might may be necessary as part of defeating them, but only a part. We must remember and act like we believe the words displayed on the Statue of Liberty:
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
David