Sept. 11 archive

September 11th archive

Words of sympathy from El Salvador

Guillermo Cuéllar, a musical artist and Christian from El Salvador, sends words of sympathy and concern rooted in his own long experience of vulnerability and violence -- and pleads for peace. [9-26-01]

The Rev. John Shuck has shared with us an order of service for a service of prayer at First Presbyterian Church, Billings, Montana, on September 12, 2001. He also shared the reflections he offered during the service, articulating the feelings on grief and anger, and the Gospel invitation to peace.

"Please, not 'infinite'"
Barbara Kellam-Scott, a writer and a member of the executive committee of the Witherspoon Society, sent an e-mail note to President George W. Bush, pointing to the spiritual and political dangers in his code name "infinite justice" for the planned war against terrorism. It appears the administration is seeking a less offensive name, but the issue remains the same. [9-24-01]

Q u o t e o f t h e Day

"The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate.... Returning violence for violence multiples violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

- Martin Luther King Jr.
Source: SojoNet 2001 (c) http://www.sojo.net

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.

Stand with the victims of hostility

[9-20-01]

As expressions of hostility toward Arabs and other Muslims continues to escalate, here's an interesting idea that's circulating (like so much else!) on the Internet:

Someone has suggested a simple, symbolic way for all women to express their support for Muslim women, many of whom have been harassed since the terrible events of 9-11. Women can simply wear "hijab" in public, if only for part of a day when they are out in public. The idea is to wear some kind of headscarf, and to observe the reactions - and respond to them as intelligently and as well as you can. And, adds the note, "Don't be surprised if it's a scary experience."

This gesture recalls the response some years ago of one Montana community to attacks against local Jews. Within a few days, menorahs gleamed in the front windows of gentile families all over town. Times like this require courage and compassion on a similar scale.

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]

Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mohandas K. Gandhi, says nonviolence is a better way than a military response, even as a way of dealing with the terrorism of September 11th, for it is the only way to end the conflicts that give rise to terrorism. He suggests that "if a bully is what we want to be then we must be prepared to face the same consequences as a school-yard bully faces."

He concludes, "The memory of those victims who have died in this and other violent incidents around the world will be better preserved and meaningfully commemorated if we all learn to forgive and dedicate our lives to helping create a peaceful, respectful and an understanding world." [9-20-01]

Attorney Doug Nave, an active Presbyterian, offers the thought that the terror of September 9 may help us learn that gay or straight, we're all part of one community. [9-20-01]

"Lead us not into war" - Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, general secretary of the Reformed Church in America, offers a "moral vision" for our response to the terrorism of September 11.

He writes, "When someone hates you for any number of alleged reasons, you face a choice. Either you can hate them in return and actively seek their demise. Or you can defend yourself against unjust attack, but live in ways that demonstrate to all that you are not, at heart, the person whom the other accuses you of being." [9-22-01]

The question of faith ... and violence [9-20-01]

E. J. Dionne Jr., writing in the Washington Post, considers carefully the role of religion in events such as the terrorist attacks of September 9. He notes that we have little hard evidence about the role of religion in those attacks, but jump easily to conclusions. And he points out that all religions and nations tend to make use of their faiths to justify violence. But religion, he concludes, can play a far more helpful role:

"Faith is more credible when it stands as a challenge, when it insists on aspirations beyond those of our own political movements, communities or nations. The prayers of this faith do not express certainty that God is on our side, only the hope that this might prove to be true."

Thanks to David L. Carlton for a note about this article.

A Father's Lament

When our children's blood is mingled
with that of our enemies in a thousand far off places.

When the count of those killed each day
is so routinely given nightly on the news...

When the black body bags filled with Holy cargo
are returned home for a hero's funeral.

When the Mother's wail and the Father's lament
ring horribly to the depths of our souls...

Will we beat the drums of war so loudly,
or will we let them grow silent...

Lest we forget the Mothers' wail, the Fathers' lament!

Written by Joe Sayre
9-17-2001
Full use is given over to the public domain

While the Rev. Jerry Falwell has in some measure retracted his statements that the terrorist attacks of Sept. 9th are due to God's withdrawal of favor from the United States (because of American acceptance of abortion, gay and lesbian relationship, etc., etc.), Americans United for the Separation of Church and State note that the attitudes he expressed still need serious critical reflection. [9-20-01]

Let's try to understand the roots of the hatred

Some of the comments that we have shared on the Witherspoon web site have aroused rather negative comments, which see these comments as "blaming America" for the dreadful attacks on September 11.

Our thinking has not been an effort to blame, but rather to understand a terribly complex situation - while recognizing that at the same time, it is appallingly simple!

To gain some understanding, we need to see how actions and attitudes of the United States may have played a role in growth of this situation. An article in Sunday's Minneapolis Star Tribune does a good job of analyzing briefly some of the deeper roots of the hostility toward the United States that we have seen not only in the acts of terrorism, but also in the delight shown by some (only some!!) Palestinians and others at America's pain.

The author suggests that a major source of the hatred lies in the deep resentment of radical Muslims toward Western culture, which for them is an assault on the holiness and purity of the good life.

[Your WebWeaver will resist the temptation to declare that rock music is the reason for the terror.]

Another factor is America's dominant power in the world, and the way we use that power. Writes the author: "Americans would like to believe that anyone who hates their country must be crazy, said Bob Jensen of the University of Texas. But many hate America because it is an arrogant superpower, Jensen said, determined to have its way no matter how many innocents are killed or deprived of basic human rights, but which insists on proclaiming itself the 'the singular nation in the world motivated only by a concern for justice, democracy and human rights.'"

You may find the whole article helpful, as we all try to make some sense of the terror.

Looking at the possibility of war against Afghanistan, the Rev. Dean Lindsey suggests that "Perhaps we should all learn more about their story before we call for a new war against them." He has done his homework, and shares what he learned. [9-17-01]

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 view from Jerusalem: the unreported sympathy of the Palestinian people

Sandra Olewine, American Representative of the Methodist Church in Bethlehem, has sent a report giving a very different picture of the response of most Palestinians to the terrorist attacks. [9-17-01]

A college student - and a Presbyterian offspring - weeps over the terror, and ponders the relevance of Gandhi to our temptations to violence

Jesse C. Buikema, a student at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, had a thoughtful piece published on the opinion page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune on Saturday, Sept. 15. His reading of Gandhi's life leads him to conclude: "We as a nation must choose between two roads, both difficult to travel and both with unknown ends: We can choose the freeway of retaliation that seems to be a good choice for the immediate collective satisfaction of our citizenry. Or we can choose the slow and unattractive dirt road of peace that may lead to death and hardships, but also glory." [9-17-01]

"Great Prayer of Thanksgiving in a Time of Horror"

Elder Susan Baker-Lehne, of Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, approached the celebration of Communion this Sunday "wondering how we can pray a prayer of thanksgiving this week."

Out of her wrestling came a "Great Prayer of Thanksgiving in a Time of Horror." She offers it for the use of anyone interested. [9-15-01]

Christians, Muslims and Jews join in prayers and in tearing down walls

The Rev. Trina Zelle, a member of the Witherspoon executive committee, reports that her husband, the Rev. Phil Reller, who is a UCC pastor in Tempe, AZ, "has had an interesting week." His congregation has shared in prayers with the mosque next door, and a nearby synagogue is now involved as well. Even threats and bomb scares have not stood between them. [9-15-01]

On Wednesday we published a new hymn written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette in response to the terrorist actions: "O God, Our Words Cannot Express."

According to Presbyterian News Service, the hymn has already been used in prayer services around the country. It is also being sung at a service in Bristol, England, that will be broadcast by the BBC radio network. Ms. Gillette has also given permission to a pastor in Indonesia to use the hymn in a prayer service this weekend. [9-15-01]

Religious leaders have issued "a religious response to terrorism," with the heading "Deny them their victory" [9-13-01]

The statement has also been signed by at least six Presbyterians, including the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, the General Assembly stated clerk. [9-15-01]

The statement expresses concern about "what this attack on America will do to us as a nation," if we accept the terrorist's view of a world "where the remedy to every human grievance and injustice is a resort to the random and cowardly violence of revenge - even against the most innocent."

The leaders urge: "We must not allow this terror to drive us away from being the people God has called us to be. We assert the vision of community, tolerance, compassion, justice, and the sacredness of human life, which lies at the heart of all our religious traditions. America must be a safe place for all our citizens in all their diversity. It is especially important that our citizens who share national origins, ethnicity, or religion with whoever attacked us are, themselves, protected among us."

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

Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of TIKKUN Magazine and rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue in San Francisco, asks "Where Does This Violence Come From?" The answer, he suggests, lies in our human estrangement from God. But, he adds, "More precisely, it is the way we fail to respond to each other as embodiments of the sacred." [9-14-01]

Rabbi Arthur Waskow, director of The Shalom Center, suggests that the sukkah, the fragile hut built as an image of shalom, reminds us of the fragility of our existence, and the need to care for all of humanity, all of the earth. So, he concludes,

"America must open its heart and mind to the pain and grief of those in the Arab and Muslim worlds who feel excluded, denied, unheard, disempowered, defeated.

This does not mean ignoring or forgiving whoever wrought such bloodiness. Their violence must be halted, their rage must be calmed -- and the pain behind them must be heard and addressed.

Instead of entering upon a 'war of civilizations,' we must pursue a planetary peace." [9-14-01]

One small action in the face of such darkness:

Light a candle [9-14-01]

Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. (starting EST), step out your door, stop your car, or step out of your establishment and light a candle. We will show the world that Americans are strong and united together against terrorism. Please pass this to everyone on your e-mail list. We need to reach everyone across the United States quickly. If we all light candles at 7:00 pm in our own parts of the country, by 10:00 pm EST, the whole country will be lit up with the light of hope.

The message: WE STAND UNITED - WE WILL NOT TOLERATE TERRORISM.

NOTE: We have no idea where this idea originated, but it's a possibility you may want to consider.

The Friends Committee on National Legislation has issued a brief description of current Congressional responses to the attacks of 9/11. It's worth noting that efforts are apparently being made, also, to use these terrible events as a reason to push forward on the President's anti-ballistic missile program. (Of course the obvious question of what such weapons would have done to prevent Tuesday's attacks may not get much attention.) [9-14-01]

Presbyterian News Service is providing a variety of helpful reports, both of their own and from other services. We can't keep up, so you'll do best to check their news index page and see what you find. Note: You'll first see the lead of one major story; scroll down the page a bit to find the list of other stories.

A minister now in Jerusalem writes to say that not all Palestinians engaged in the "celebrations" that we saw on TV. [9-14-01]

Jerry Falwell informs us that this is God's punishment on liberalism. [9-14-01]

There's much more to be added -- as soon as we have time. So please come back soon. And send your own thoughts if you'd like to share them here.

More reflections are coming in. Here are two, from Bobbie McGarey and Dean Lindsey. [9-12-01]

Presbyterian News Service offers reports on churches providing care and housing "refugees" from the terror in New York.

Resources for worship and action are appearing on web sites. [9-12-01]

The National Council of Churches and Church World Service have issued a call for prayer, unity, and practical actions. [9-12-01]

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]

A hymn for days of terror

[9-12-01]

Carolyn Winfrey Gillette wrote a new hymn text as she and the rest of us watched in horror the events in New York and Washington.

A war prayer [9-12-01]
Bruce Gillette has pointed us to a little story by Mark Twain, "The War Prayer," as "a helpful reminder to all who offer public prayers after the terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington."