September 11th

September 11^th, 2001

Words for these hard days

Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. ... Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. ... Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12: 12-21)

Theologian puts questions about the 9/11 event in a deeper perspective – and gives reasons for deeper concern [8-30-06]

Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action, by David Ray Griffin

A book review by Arch Taylor

Also -- Griffin book arouses opposition and support

Rita Nakashima Brock, in her regular FaithVoices email, writes about reactions to the book.
Read her comments >>

Theologian puts questions about the 9/11 event in a deeper perspective – and gives reasons for deeper concern [8-30-06]

Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action, by David Ray Griffin

A book review by Arch Taylor

Also -- Griffin book arouses opposition and support

Rita Nakashima Brock, in her regular FaithVoices email, writes about reactions to the book.
Read her comments >>

Ideas for observing September 11

Pueblo Presbytery is sponsoring an "Interfaith Prayers for Peace Service."

Grace Presbytery has invited a Palestinian Christian, a Palestinian Muslim, and an Israeli Jew involved in peacemaking to spend September 8-15 in the presbytery.

Other ideas?? Please share yours! Just send a note. [8-22-05]

What Price Unanimity? [7-26-04]

Finding a deeper look at policy issues in the 9/11 report

The 9/11 commissioners generally get lost in a sea of details in their report, and often forget the bigger picture----like the terrorists' motivation for the 9/11 attacks. But a careful reading will show that it's much more than our freedoms and democracy that terrorists despise. Ray McGovern says it's the Middle East policy, stupid. McGovern was a career analyst with the Central Intelligence Agency for 27 years, and is on the steering group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity.

The paper gently notes that "America's policy choices have consequences. Right or wrong, it is simply a fact that American policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and American actions in Iraq are dominant staples of popular commentary across the Arab and Muslim world."

On forest fires and "national security" -- Extraordinary events don't provide a good basis for public policy
[8-26-02]

Environmentalist Peter Sawtell sees this sensible idea as a reason for questioning Pres. Bush's new policies on opening our forests for commercial cutting, and on the Administration's plans for long-term infringements on civil rights, justified by 9/11.

How shall we remember September 11^th?

[8-6-02]

We've just received a note asking for ideas, worship materials and other resources for churches or groups that want to commemorate the events of September 11^th, and all that has come after. One congregation is planning a peace vigil. What are you going to do? What help can you offer to others?

Please send a note, and we'll share everything here!

Just after receiving this query, another note came in:

"Let Love Ring!": a Nashville Idea Becomes Nationwide

A small group of concerned women in Nashville began talking about ways to stop terrorism and express love to those who have experienced terrorism. A not-for-profit organization was formed with the intent of putting love into action through all the arts.

Their first event will be on September 11, but they intend to keep on. "Together we can change the course of history," the organizers say, and they are going nationwide and even worldwide.

People of all faiths are invited to plan events for September 11. It is suggested that each location begin and end the gathering with
the ringing of bells. The vision is the "Let Love Ring!" across the world for a 24-hour period.

Check out their web site. .

Contact: Arzella Kay-Wheeler, (615) 366-6994, e-mail admin@letlovering.com

Witherspoon supports a call to Pres. Bush to establish a Victims Fund for those in Afghanistan who have been hurt by US military campaign there. [7-15-02]

Presbyterian church delegation returns from visit to Afghanistan

[6-27-02]

Witherspooner Derrick Kikuchi sent word yesterday that a delegation from First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto (CA) has just returned safely from a visit to Afghanistan. He adds, "It was an incredible experience and look forward to sharing stories and working together to help further our relationship with the wonderful people of that country."

The church's web site offers good reports, updates, and photos.

Presbyterian UN Seminar seeks faithful responses to terrorism [6-8-02]

Forty-five Presbyterians from around the world gathered in New York City recently for a four-day seminar on the theme, Tackling Terrorism: Faith Talks in the Aftermath of September 11th. The event, sponsored by the Presbyterian United Nations Office, gave participants an opportunity to visit Ground Zero in Manhattan and to explore terrorism and its causes from a Christian perspective.

Congressman from Ohio offers a prophetic prayer for America [3-8-02]

Congressional representative Dennis Kucinich recently gave a speech in the form of a prayer - a prayer for America that challenges the U.S. "war on terrorism" - both what is being done now, and even more what is being proposed.

Here's an inspiring and prophetic mixing of religion and politics. It may not be what some advocates of prayer-with-politics have in mind, but it has power and authenticity that are worthy of our attention.

Witherspoon president Jane Hanna sees the pain of September 11th and its aftermath as a call to us -- as individuals and as a nation -- to seek "a better way" of being in relation to the rest of the world. [2-18-02]

So what about this "Axis of Evil"? [2-11-02]

Since September 11, the President's use of moral rhetoric has been striking - and has apparently helped him to gain and keep his awesome standing in the polls. The rhetoric has reached new heights with his declaration of war on "the Axis of Evil."

Your WebWeaver is moved to worry about this, and shares a little laughter about it too.

More perspectives on 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan

	Union Theological Seminary (New York) faculty spoke about the events of 9/11 at a forum on September 20, offering a variety of thoughtful and provocative reflections. Their remarks are posted on a UTS web page.
	To see the wide range of opinions and analyses from media around the world, check out the World Press Review. [1-2-02]

What would Jesus do ... in Afghanistan? One writer raises this question in a provocative way. What do you think about this way of thinking about the current situation? Please send us a note! [1-2-02]

The events of September 11^th will shape our lives and our world far beyond our knowing today. We share here some of the first responses and reflections that have come to us. Please send your thoughts, concerns, comments -- whatever would contribute to our efforts as a little cyber-community to respond to the terrible events of September 11th.

Listed below are the comments and reports that seem to us to offer help and understanding for these terrible days. Generally the most recent postings will be at the top of the list, and you can scroll down to find earlier ones. Most material posted before October 1 is indexed on a separate archive page.

Why don't the Arabs trust us? [12-22-01]

On December 15, the United States vetoed the U.N. Security Council Resolution to establish a monitoring force in the West Bank and Gaza (the "Occupied Territories").

David Batstone, Executive Editor of SoJoNet (Sojourners Magazine), sees this (and the long line of similar actions in the past) as a major factor leading Arab and Islamic nations and people to distrust the United States.

Flying the flag in church? [11-30-01]
A recent conversation on PresbyNet has yielded some helpful insights and questions about an issue that a number of congregations are facing these days.

Criticizing the war on terrorism can be hazardous to your academic health [11-28-01]

The New York Times reports (on Nov. 24, 2001) that a conservative organization is gathering statements by scholars, students, and a university that it regards as unpatriotic in this time of a crusade against terrorism.

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a conservative nonprofit group devoted to curbing liberal tendencies in academia, has published on its web site a list of 117 "anti-American statements" heard on college campuses - from such figures as

	The Rev. Jesse Jackson (who said at Harvard Law School that America should "build bridges and relationships, not simply bombs and walls."
	Joel Beinin, a professor of Middle Eastern history at Stanford University, who said that "If Osama bin Laden is confirmed to be behind the attacks, the United States should bring him before an international tribunal on charges of crimes against humanity."
	Wasima Alikhan of the Islamic Academy of Las Vegas, who made the not very original statement that "Ignorance breeds hate."

One reason this effort at enforcing "patriotic correctness" is that Lynne V. Cheney, the wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, was one of the council's founding members, and is still listed on the web site as "chairman emeritus."

Amnesty International has issued a strong statement about the threat posed by the President's declared intention to use military tribunals. [11-20-01]

Afghan women are demanding to be heard [11-19-01]

As negotiations begin for a new government in Afghanistan, Afghan feminists are apparently being ignored - still. Fariba Nawa, a reporter based in Islamabad, Pakistan, who writes regularly for Agence France-Presse and Pacific News Service, writes in Mother Jones that even though the 1964 Afghan constitution guaranteed equality for men and women, it has been completely ignored since 1996 when the Taliban seized Kabul. She quotes Zieba Shorish, a Washington-based Afghan exile and veteran women's rights activist, as summing up the problem: "The players in Afghanistan, including the US and United Nations, all talk about women's rights but when it comes to action, there is nothing."

Thanks to Utne WebWatch

Artists help us reflect on human atrocities [11-15-01]

The Rev. Mark Greiner of Baldwin, NY, has suggested a helpful website which offers cross-cultural artistic expressions in response to the many atrocities of the 20^th century, as a way to help us think (and feel!) about the current crisis. The Legacy Project offers a wide variety of art works reflecting on the human-made sufferings of the last century, along with a few poetic reflections on September 11^th.

The site was recently reviewed in the New York Times.

Norman Watkins of Chicago has sent a thoughtful note warning of the dangers in the "logic of war." [11-14-01]

European church support for the US war is cooling

Duncan Hanson, Coordinator for Europe in the Worldwide Ministries Division, reports that European churches, which were so supportive of the US after September 11th, are becoming increasingly skeptical of America's military campaign, primarily because they fear it will create more terrorism. [11-14-01]

Say NO to torture!
[11-14-01]

Alternative sources for news

We've been asked to suggest some web sites that provide some perspectives you may not find in your local press or on CNN. Well, there's a lot out there, folks!

We have listed here a few of the web sites we have found helpful, with a little sample of the reports listed when we first visited some of them. We've added more sites on 10-26-01 thanks to some of you!! [10-26-01]

The Minneapolis Star Tribune has published a large list of web resources. Check out our sampling, and go to their own site. [10-29-01]

The World Council of Churches and other ecumenical groups have created an excellent collection of statements and resources on the current crisis beginning with a page called "Visions for Peace - Voices of Faith: Behind the news." [10-31-01]

Relief agencies call for a bombing pause in Afghanistan [11-7-01]

A number of prominent religious and secular relief organizations are calling for a suspension of the United States-led bombing of Afghanistan so that food can be delivered prior to the onset of Afghanistan's harsh winter.

Witherspoon President Jane Hanna, in her "President's Corner" column for the Fall 2001 issue of Network News, points to how our basic biblical perspective can steady us in this time of crisis -- and how the crisis calls us back to our true mission as a church. [11-7-01]

Nonviolence for the Violent
Prof. Walter Wink spoke at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship breakfast at last June's General Assembly, shedding new light on Jesus' famously impractical advice about turning the other cheek, giving up your cloak, and going the second mile. His thoughts are relevant these days. [10-29-01]

Salman Rushdie says "Yes, this is about Islam" [11-5-01]

Salman Rushdie, prize-winning author (most recently, of Fury: A Novel), offers an insider/outsider's perspective on the tensions in today's Islam, and argues that indeed the current struggles are "about Islam." He suggests that the current situation will present the Islamic world with a challenge to undertake its own "Reformation." His essay appeared in the New York Times on November 2, 2001.

Karen Armstrong, in an interview with Salon e-magazine, discusses the impact of Islamic fundamentalism on the current situation. [10-26-01]

Facing the challenge of terror with understanding
John Paul Lederach, Prof. of Conflict Studies and Resolution at Eastern Mennonite University, has offered an insightful analysis of "the challenge of terror" today. He suggests that a crucial issue is "whether we reinforce and provide the soil, seeds, and nutrients for future cycles of revenge and violence," or respond in surprising and constructive ways that will remove the prime motivations for terrorism. [10-26-01]

Where are our tax dollars going? The Presbyterian Washington Office has provided an interesting listing of how the Bush Administration is planning to use the $40 billion emergency funds approved on September 14. [10-26-01]

As we face in new ways the religious diversity of our world, and our own society, the Rev. Dean Lindsey turned to Jeremiah's call to "seek the welfare of the city." [10-22-01]

Kentucky farmer-author Wendell Berry offers "Thoughts in the Presence of Fear" - challenging our cultural assumptions about globalism and progress and our relation the nations and nature. His aphoristic statements suggest the opportunities for new thinking - and perhaps repentance? - that the awfulness of September 11^th has offered us. [10-16-01]

The Stated Clerk has joined with a wide spectrum of religious leaders in a joint letter to the President, urging that any economic stimulus package be shaped to helped those most in need of help.

"This is a religious war."
Andrew Sullivan, writing in the New York Times Magazine for October 7, 2001, argues against those who are saying that the current conflict is not a religious war, but reflects political and economic tensions and resentments. The religious roots of the current conflict are found in fundamentalism, he says, and we need to understand the dynamics of fundamentalism and violence - in Islam and in our own tradition. [10-16-01]

Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick has sent a letter to President George W. Bush, expressing support for the struggle against terrorism, but reminding him that "Lasting peace and security can only be found in negotiation, and in the assurance of justice for all parties." [10-16-01]

The FBI's pursuit of terrorists is leading them to flout the law, as people of Arab background are being detained as "material witnesses." [10-16-01]

UCC Justice and Peace Action Network urges that the economic stimulus proposals be made helpful to the vulnerable members of our society, and not just the well-off. [10-16-01]

Deeper than the headlines:
Peter Sawtell, Director of Eco-Justice Ministries, sees the current crisis as pointing to far deeper cultural issues in our society, including issues of economic and social justice, and the way we treat our natural environment. [10-13-01]

Religious leaders express deep concern about attacks on Afghanistan [10-11-01]

Ecumenical News International reports on concerns expressed by a wide variety of religious leaders around the world, as the US and the United Kingdom began air attacks on Afghanistan.

The Church of Scotland said through its Church and Nation Committee that it was "yet to be convinced that the use of military force in Afghanistan can be justified."

And a rabbi in New York said, "

Columbus Day and the first attacks

As he reflected on the October 8th beginning of air attacks on Afghanistan, while native Americans were protesting the centuries of oppression symbolized by Columbus Day, Mark Koenig was moved to poetry, which he shares with us here.. [10-11-01]

"O God, Our Words Cannot Express," a hymn written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette in response to the September 11^th attacks, has attracted much interest, and is being used in a video distributed by Church World Service in support relief efforts related to Sept. 11^th.

We have now posted details and another equally appropriate hymn. [10-11-01]

From South Africa comes a powerful statement on peace and reconciliation and repentance, in a letter from Bishop Peter Storey, professor of the practice of Christian ministry. His fight against apartheid in South Africa has made him a powerful symbol of justice in South Africa. [10-9-01]

This is "a time of reckoning" as the US seeks to build relations with Muslims

[10-9-01]

Fawaz A. Gerges, a professor of Middle East and international affairs at Sarah Lawrence College and author of the forthcoming The Islamists and the West, published an essay on the Opinion page of the New York Times on October 8. Just back from a conference in Beirut, he explains just how difficult it will be for the Bush administration to convince even moderate Muslims in the Middle East and south and central Asia that America's intentions and actions can be accepted, let alone supported.

He concludes that "the United States needs to invest directly in Middle Eastern civil societies to improve governance, education, health and quality of life. The challenge in gaining greater understanding in those societies will not be easy, but American diplomats can help by overcoming their own bunker mentality. The use of force against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden was unavoidable given the terrorist threat. But the long-term aim of reducing anti-American fervor among Islamic extremists will still best be achieved by directly engaging with the Muslim people. The military response that began yesterday only makes the hard nonmilitary work, in the next weeks and years, more necessary than ever."

Thanks to Gene TeSelle for finding this report.

Church World Service reports on the ways US retaliation is worsening the already severe suffering of Afghan people -- and how CWS and the Presbyterian Church are responding. [10-9-01]

Stephen Zunes, associate professor of politics and chair of the Peace & Justice Studies Program at the University of San Francisco, lists Ten Things to Know About the Middle East -- a great introduction to an important part of the world!

The next three items (and others below) reflect our conviction that in times such as these, we need to pay attention to voices from other nations and faiths. If you have other voices to suggest, please send a note.

Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh offers a meditation/prayer for the victims, the nation, the world -- and for peace. [10-6-01]

A Christian aid worker, just out of Afghanistan, urges a restrained response [10-5-01]

Charles Henderson, Presbyterian pastor and host of Christianity.about.com, posts a letter from Chris Buckley is the Christian Aid Program Officer for Afghanistan. Like many of the other those humanitarian workers who had to leave Afghanistan, he urges the U. S. and its allies to show restraint in responding to the terrorist attacks.

Nobel Peace laureate Rigoberta Menchu sends an open letter to President Bush urging him to provide "a different kind of world leadership, one in which it is necessary to convince rather than to defeat." [10-3-01]

Is there an internal struggle in Washington to control "America's new war"?

A reporter in Washington for The Observer notes that administration "hawks," including deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz, a Reagan-era right-winger, are pushing hard for an unlimited campaign against any nation thought to be sheltering terrorists.

Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Lord have mercy.
A hymn/prayer for these times.

If ever such a prayer seemed appropriate, now's the time. Edith Sinclair Downing has shared with us a new hymn built around the ancient liturgical refrain, Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison. As a hymn or simply as a personal prayer, you may find it good. [10-3-01]

What we can do [10-1-01]

The shock and the grief remain.
The search for understanding goes on.
Arguments about appropriate responses to the terror of September 11 will be with us for a long time.

But as part of the people of God, we must also respond to the immense needs. This page will offer ideas, suggestions, connections that may help us all to sort through the possibilities.

God Angrily Clarifies 'Don't Kill' Rule [10-1-01]

Need a new perspective? The on-line humor magazine The Onion has published a report of a press conference with God, in which He (well, yes, that's what it says) lets it be known He is pretty ticked about the way people forget what He has made abundantly clear: "Not only do I not want anybody to kill anyone, but I specifically commanded you not to, in really simple terms that anybody ought to be able to understand."

"I don't care how holy somebody claims to be," God said. "If a person tells you it's My will that they kill someone, they're wrong. Got it? I don't care what religion you are, or who you think your enemy is, here it is one more time: No killing, in My name or anyone else's, ever again."

There's more in a similarly irreverent (or is it prophetic?) vein.

Go see for yourself.

Gene TeSelle, Witherspoon's Issues Analyst, ponders the nature of "religious extremism," and points to some of its complex roots, including specific political conflicts, tensions among differing political cultures, and reactions against modern scientific culture. Such extremism, he notes, is found in all religious traditions, including Christianity. [10-1-01]

For most of the reports posted before October 1, click here.

At its meeting in Albuquerque on September 21, 2001, the Executive Committee of the Witherspoon Society adopted a brief statement in response to the terrible attack of September 11.

Vernon Broyles offers a theological view of the tragedy: evil is found on all sides [9-20-01]

The Rev. Vernon Broyles, associate director for social justice and associate for corporate witness in the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council, has set out some theological reflections on the tragedy of September 11. He concludes that "as Reformed Christians in the United States, it is urgent that we make our voices heard at this time in our history. We must say to our leaders that we are at 'war,' not with 'terrorists' but with evil. It is manifest in our selves, as well as others. In this real world in which we live, it will always be necessary, on occasion, to use force in the restraint of evil. ... But having acknowledged that, we must also reiterate the lessons of history, that there will never be 'a war to end all wars,' not even a successful 'war to stamp out terrorism.'

As people of faith, we must continue to insist that the only real hope for humanity is the path of peace -- the biblical vision of shalom -- which is marked by 'liberty and justice for all,' not just for the powerful, not for just a few select nations, not just for some in each society, but for all of God's children."

Our National Tragedy

The Rev. Tom Driver, Professor of Theology and Culture Emeritus at Union Theological Seminary in New York, has issued a personal statement urging that America turn away from calls for retribution, and recognize how we have contributed to the militarization of the world. [9-22-01]

What would it mean to bomb Afghanistan?

A note from Tamim Ansari, who was born in Afghanistan, offers a perspective on the situation of the Afghani people which we need to hear as our nation contemplates possibilities of military action in that country. The writer asserts that "the

The note concludes that a war between the West and the Islamic nations is just what Bin Laden and his cohorts want, "

The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship has issued a call for rededication to justice and nonviolence. [9-14-01]

PC(USA) chief officers send pastoral letter expressing prayers for victims and families, acknowledging the reality of evil, and calling for forgiveness and healing. [9-12-01]