Peace Comes When You Heal Rather Than Judge

Posted August 21, 2006 in News

The most profound healings often rise up from the ashes of our failures. Well known author Charles Handy often comments that success can blind us to the need to change, which can in turn lead to our ulitmate failure. Confronted with an uncomfortable future, both nations and individuals can try to restore their past glory using outdated strategies based on superceded paradigms. Yet sometimes the solution is not to restore the past but to contemplate the future based on the implications of choices made in the here and now.

For example, in the recent Hizbollah-Israeli conflict, it has become clear that violence as a means to resolve tension has become fundamentally morally bankrupt. The recent conflict was appalling in terms of the suffering of innocent citizens as they witnessed their infrastructure being destroyed, loved ones' lives stolen or they lived in fear as either hostages or refugees. Yet an even greater tragedy could occur - and that would be for the battle to become yet another meaningless battle in an endless string of violent encounters. This would merely diminish the moral character of both sides as they pursue  paths of mutual disrespect and hatred.

If anything can be gained from the recent conflict, it is the recognition that there must be a better way, a third way that would restore honor to both Jew and Muslim. Yet to find this third way involves some crucial lessons in humility. Firstly, accepting that both sides have the right to exist in relative safety with suitable living conditions. Secondly, that both sides must take responsibility for managing the predatory wolves that would hide within their flocks. Thirdly, a recognition that neither side will be truly healed or at peace unless they understand that their worth as a people is inextricably bound in their ability to be hospitable and show respect, even to their enemies.

The Jewish people need to stop drinking from the cup of God's wrath and instead drink from the cup of humility. They need to understand that God's vision was never for the Jews to be God's exclusive people, but rather to be ambassadors for God to all humanity. In that role, the vast majority should blush as they have embraced elitist attitudes to justify cruelty and indifference to others. Similarly, the Muslims must understand that if they were to eliminate the Jewish people, then God would transfer the burden of being His first named people to another.

That "prize" would go to the people who succeeded in wiping out the Jews. But before less mature souls drool at this opportunity, they should take a step back and realise that being God's first named is more a burden than a blessing. The Jews are first in line for discipline whenever humanity's excesses exceed God's patience, the Holocaust was no coincidence. Would any other religion really want to offer up its people as the first in line to be sacrified everytime humanity needs a wake up call?

No wise shepherd would foist this upon unsuspecting generations to follow, in fact wise shepherds would give thanks that the Jews exist to take the brunt of God's wrath and do their utmost to ensure the Jewish people continue to survive - and act as their witnesses to ensure they do not commit idolatry or prostitute themselves lest God's wrath be aroused against all humanity, and not just the Jews.

Healing sometimes involves asking the hard questions, and being brave enough to admit one's own mistakes, even if that is incredibly embarassing.  The article from Catholic News talks about the ten years of dialogue within the Catholic Church in the US, and how that has helped people exercise a level of civility that they would normally eschew. The article from Australia is a practical example of how a nation can not heal unless it is aware of its own blind spots. The Algemeiner article is a Jewish confession that a new mindset is required, and the Torah article highlights the demands of being first named amongst God's peoples. The Thailand article reminds us that dialogue is not just silencing one's critics.

As both the Algemeiner and Times Online articles remind us, there is a need for a compelling trascending vision that incorporates both Jew and Muslim and all the peoples of all the world or we are simply going to continue to resort to violence to expel "the other". God is limitless and Zion is bound by fire not time or space, so there is plenty of room for everyone and no need to exterminate "the other" to make room for ourselves.

Finally the Wharton article is a good case study on research done on restoring trust, which is a lesson that most parties affected by the Middle East badly need to learn if they are to find non-military solutions that can create a just world for their grandchildren and beyond.

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