Just Before going in to Vote...
...in some parts of the world (in this case Belarus), you are faced with this:
It is difficult for me to imagine voting in a monastery...to face those faces on the wall. Holiness.
My mind is awash with political thoughts and I must be honest I am completely uncentered at the moment. Yesterday, during the Liturgy I found myself in a state of complete non-participation - my mind reeling with thoughts of politics. Not good.
I suspect seeing these Icons before stepping into the voting booth would be really hard to bear. How much responsibility is laid upon me to get this decision right? Can I be blamed for possibly bombing innocents under Bush? Can I be blamed for slaughtering innocents in the womb under Kerry? I do not pretend to know the answers.
I have reasons to go either direction on November 2nd, but I have at last made my decision (erring perhaps on the side of caution). And I will walk away from politics...washing my hands and trying to start looking more at the Icons on my wall and less at the "icons" on TV, in the newspapers, and on the radio.
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IS War evil?
As Fr. Alexander Webster demonstrates the answer is: yes and no at the same time--which one you get depends exactly what you are asking and, more importantly, in what context?
The Fathers are clear: It certainly is falling short of the glory of God. So the answer is yes.....paradoxcailly, it doesn't mean the other options aren't also equally examples of falling short...as the Fathers also explain.
I remember a Vietnam veteran saying that if you are asking a question like that then you have never fought in a war.
My thoughts:
Can war be justified (at times)? Yes. Is it a great evil? Of course. Is it to be avoided at all costs? Many great spiritual teachers have thought so. Has George Bush avoided war at all costs? No. Does George Bush seem to have a knack for making peace? No, not in this country or abroad. Do I have hope any other politicians can do better. A little, yes, but not much. My problem is that I am pro-life. I don't want to see folks killed in the womb, but I don't want to see folks killed after they have lived a while either. I think that to be a great peace maker one must have a heart full of peace to begin with. Then one must engage people in a spirit of peace. George Bush comes across to me as a very bellicose person who is not at peace with himself (I have never met him, so I am limited to what I have seen on TV). Therefore, how can he spread peace to those around him?
For whatever it's worth (if anything).
- Imran
look man, i'll respect you whatever or whoever you choose. :)
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