the war on terror is doing nothing but produce more terror

[dudeness]

(snip)

Synod Charge, 2003
Bishop George Browning
Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn
12 September 2003




Human beings have always lived in a world in which the inheritors of yesterday's pain and hurt too often become the perpetrators of tomorrow's injustice. We know this to be true of recent history in the Balkans. We know it to be terribly true of the Middle East. We know it to be true of the petty hurts and squabbles that beset most human families. It is true also of the life of the Australian community in the last few years in relation to sexual scandals in the Church. It is essential that the truth is told, that justice is done, that the pain of victims be addressed and hopefully their lives restored. It is also essential that changes be made in the life of institutions to remove, as much as is possible, the possibility of further abuse.

In human history no nation has more often been the victim than Israel: most terribly so in the holocaust. Notwithstanding this reality, Israel will not further its faith identity by perpetrating continued humiliation and deprivation on the Palestinian people, but by living generously and compassionately with them as neighbours. Descendants of Abraham must do as Abraham did, live peaceably amongst those with whom they have come to live, not exclude them. This is where the nobility of the Jewish faith lies, not in fearful re-action and a blatant grab for land on which others have built houses and planted olive orchards. Western leaders, especially our own, constantly condemn terrorism and define it as a clash of culture, Western/Christian versus Islam. Terrorism must be condemned; it is too often an action of simple bastardry. However, it is not always, in Palestine it is as much a desparate cry for justice in the face of injustice.

There are of course many in Israel and the US who share this view and struggle hard to oppose the policies of their governments. However, so strong is the anti-Palestinian rhetoric that an appeal for Palestinian justice is invariably interpreted as anti-Israeli. This is a terrible indictment of the misuse of power by the powerful. I absolutely support the right of Israel to exist within the security of its own borders, and roundly condemn terrorist attacks on civilians. However I equally condemn Israel's calculated moves to produce justification for the minimalising of Palestine. The war on terror is doing nothing but producing more terror.

(snip)


http://www.canberragoulburn.anglican.org/html/publications/synod/2003/SynodCharge2003.htm

[lindashaw]

1. Whatever happened to the belief that "a soft answer...

turneth away wrath."

[dudeness]

2. depends on the question asked linda..

:)

[bemildred]

3. No, no, that only emboldens them ...

You have to kill anyone that challenges you immediately,
thats how you show strength.