|
| |
|
Background on Afghanistan |
| 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. |
| A pastor reflects on Afghanistan
[9-17-01]
The Rev. Dean Lindsey sent this note:
Thank you for running my
ruminations on our congregation's response to the violence of last
week. As we begin to shake free of the initial shock, more attention
is being given to what should happen next. I've done a small amount of
research on the Afghan situation and thought that some of your readers
might benefit from it. Do you think this piece would be a help?
In Christ,
Dean Lindsey
Here's what he wrote:
At the height of the Afghan resistance to Soviet occupation, Ronald
Reagan declared that the mujahaddin were the "moral equivalent of
our founding fathers." That is an interesting thought to ponder as
the drum beat for war against Afghanistan is being sounded in various
quarters. Many of us who lead congregations have urged caution in
responding to the attacks in New York and Washington, and we have
offered many prayers that our President will choose actions which lead
ultimately to peace rather than the further escalation of violence and
hatred. Such words and prayers do not simply reflect the musings of
Christian pacifists. They also recognize the sobering reality of failed
American actions in the recent past.
Indeed, the fingerprints of the C.I.A. are all over
the rise of the demonic Taliban regime. Following the Soviet invasion,
numerous indigenous groups rose up to challenge Russian expansionism.
There were brave fighters who were motivated by the desire to free their
homeland, and there were opportunists who saw the struggle with the
Soviet Union as only one step in a larger battle. Unfortunately, the
largest proportion of our military aid went to the few groups in that
latter category, the most extremist Pan-Islamic elements which
represented only a small segment of the Afghan people.
When a reporter asked a C.I.A. official why so much
aid was being given to these extremist groups, he replied,
"fanatics fight better" (quote from Kurt Lohbeck in Holy
War, Unholy Victory, 1993). Unfortunately not even that was true:
these groups often pursued a strategy of avoiding direct conflict with
the Soviets; they saved their weapons and strength for conflicts to come
with their fellow mujahaddin. Now, the very worst elements of the
anti-Soviet resistance govern Afghanistan. It is a leadership that
thrives on chaos, encourages strife and terror, and stirs hatred at
every opportunity and which, arguably, would not exist if we had not
supported them at one time.
The suffering of the Afghan people has few parallels,
with countless millions killed or displaced first by the Soviet army
and, more recently, by protracted civil war. Perhaps we should all learn
more about their story before we call for a new war against them. Paul
said, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them," and the Afghan
people are hungry and thirsty and tired. My own opinion is that
prosperity for these people would spell the sure demise of the Taliban
regime and make the world a more peaceful place. As we pastors sometimes
say, "that will preach!" |
| |
|
Some blogs worth visiting |
| |
|
PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
| |
|
Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
| |
|
John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
| |
|
John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
| |
|
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
| |
|
Plan now for our 2010 Ghost Ranch
Seminar!
GHOST RANCH SEMINAR
July 26-August 1, 2010
WE’RE ALL IN
THIS TOGETHER
CONFRONTING THE STRUCTURES OF INJUSTICE |
| |
|
If you like what you find
here,
we hope you'll help us keep this website going ... and growing!
Please consider making a special
contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve
this service.
Click here to send a
gift online, using your credit card, through PayPal.
Or send your check, made
out to "Witherspoon Society" and marked "web site," to our
Witherspoon Bookkeeper:
Susan Robertson
9650 Clover Circle
Eden Prairie, MN 55347 |
| |
|
