HUU Sermon Archives

Security in the Age of Terrorism

By Ron Kraybill, PhD
Conflict Transformation Program
Eastern Mennonite University
Feb. 9, 2003

NOTE: These are the rough notes that Ron used for his talk which was not in written format.

Scripture has long pointed us away from faith in military might. Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.

Isaiah 31:1 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

"Every war already carries within it the war which will answer it. Every war is answered by a new war, until everything, everything is smashed." Kathe Kollwitz.

Developments within our lifetime make skepticism in weapons more than a matter of faith. An honest look at hard reality points us in the same direction. (It's the Hornets, Fellers, Not the Bears L Towards Sustainable Security in a Changing World.)

A cautionary tale: The danger of the hornets
Weapons of mass destruction are accessible to many.
History shows:
a lag of only 2-3 generations between the time weapons are developed by nations and the time individuals acquire these.
technology makes weapons ever smaller and more powerful
the weapons in our national labs today are highly likely to be in the hands of many individuals in 20-40 years
these weapons are likely to be used against us
The danger of the hornets

The US has been an early developer of most weapons technology (atomic, aeronautics and space, biological, electronic). In the 20th century, this gave us an edge of security:

The battlefield was on the home turf of others and

We were physically out of reach of most enemies

We relied on deterrence to protect us from the few who could reach us with weapons.

In the 21st century, technology will work against us: The genies are out of the bottle. Weapons are increasingly:

capable of mass destruction

available to individuals

tiny, portable

shippable

Our Great Wall? Gone.

There is no reason to believe we will ever again be invulnerable.

(We can't keep out daily drug shipments, how can we keep out weapons smaller than a shipment of dope?)

In the past, security was like a bear hunt. Take out the bear and the danger was gone.

Today, every shot in the woods stirs up hornets

"I'm not sure which planet they live on, because it isn't the one that I travel."

I'm not convinced we need to do this now."

Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, former head of Central Command for U.S. forces in the Middle East, responding to question: What about hawks in Washington who say not to worry about the reaction of Arab moderates in the region to a US attack on Iraq? Needed: an up-to-date understanding of security.

Supply side security—A Realistic Alternative

The means: remove sources of enmity and desperation; build goodwill

Supply side security — the only option for long-term survival.

Required

meaningful engagement with "strange" critters.

massive investment in the woods (development, education, democracy, human rights, regional concerns).

strengthening of mechanisms for truly cooperative response to threats.

attention to the internal resources for change

The sooner we start, the greater our chances of survival.

The days of the great bear hunt are past.

Time to

get to know the woods!

We have no alternative

if we want a secure future.

For a copy of this presentation and other essays, contact the author.

540-432-4498

Jesus chose a particular path: Not destroying the enemy, but engaging the enemy. In the world of our children and grandchildren, human beings will have no alternative if we are to survive. Let us hold in our imagination and prayers:

President Bush and the small handful of men around him who hold vast confidence in weapons.

(Imagine the Dove of Peace in their midst?)

Saddam Hussein, who appears to hold a similar confidence.

The raising up of people committed to working for justice and peace without the shedding of blood.

A request for personal guidance: how shall we respond?

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