I think so. But it has to move us forward in our witness as historic peace churches. Unfortunately, I think we'd rather relive the same old story.
As a twenty-something born and raised in Canada, I have absolutely no experience of what it means to be faced with the decision to engage in warfare.
To be honest, I have hard time imagining that ever happening in my lifetime (though I suppose my forebears before me must have thought the same).
So reflecting on past Conscientious Objectors' experience does little to motivate me to a life of peace witness today. And I'm not alone.
One young adult put it this way, in the Brethren in Christ publication Shalom:
“I suspect that most young people are really not interested in talking about what happened decades ago in a world we no longer inhabit…. [They] are a little disgusted with boomer-ism. Almost everything the ‘hippie generation’ tried to do has been unsatisfying, and brought on a world that younger people will have to live in and clean up. So, hearing stories about being a C.O. [conscientious objector] is not productive.”To be sure, the 1812 CO experience goes well beyond the hippie generation, yet it is one event in a long history of peace churches saying NO to war, yet failing to provide a captivating YES alternative.
The most popular stories told and retold in peace church mythology are those who refused to give up their right to refrain from warfare. These are inspiring stories of courage, no doubt. I look forward to reading more on this blog.
But where are the stories of peacemakers courageously creating peace?
With little likelihood of being asked to serve in war today, I need stories that provide me a captivating YES for why we choose peace over violence. Whether abstaining from war is morally superior isn't enough. I also need to see what can happen when people band together in the way of peace. You know, glimpses of the peaceful kingdom of God.
Without them, our critics are right. We pacifists reap the benefits of those who fight for freedom on our behalf, while celebrating the heroes of bygone eras.
Thanks for this post, Darren! I have lots of the same questions, too.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it is timely to be asking these questions since the Mennonite Historical Society of Ontario and Conrad Grebel are producing a new play called: "Gadfly: Sam Steiner Dodges the Draft."
The production follows Sam, a Mennonite from Ohio, on his journey to active pacifism during the Vietnam War. Theatre of the Beat is performing the show at The Conrad Centre in Kitchener April 20 and 21 as a fundraiser for Grebel's new Library and Archives.
Hope to see you there!
Thanks Rebecca! Sam's story is a good one. So glad you're telling it! Going to the show for sure.
Delete“Where are the stories…?” Yes, we do need the encouragement of stories.
ReplyDeleteAs we seek “glimpses of the peaceable Kingdom of God,” we might be helped by the story of Elijah and the Still Small Voice (1 Kings 19), remembering that God was not in the earthquake or fire. Elijah thought he was left all alone in his witness, but God told him that there were 7,000 unseen others.
In WWII, thousands of CO’s served as medics and chaplains. Only one won the Medal of Honor. Most often, stories of waging peace simply involve the cup of cold water, a healing touch, and the faithful witness of the 7,000 who did not bend the knee to Baal.
From the Vietnam era, the few Quakers, who maintained a vigil in front of the White House and shared their story with passers-by, are unlikely to be remembered, except by one Marine whose life was changed.
[See the "Look Inside" feature for the story, here:]
http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Pacifism-Fruit-Narrow-ebook/dp/B005RIKH62/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpi_1
In an age when many in the peace churches, especially in the U.S.A, are embarrassed by pacifism, there still is the need for vigils and sharing the story.
Those stories won't make the front page news, but they are certainly glimpses of the Kingdom. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteI sure hope we're not getting embarrassed by pacifism. How can vigils counter this?
"Without them, our critics are right. We pacifists reap the benefits of those who fight for freedom on our behalf..."
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of a window in the Marine Corps Memorial Chapel where a window depicts a Marine, with rifle in hand, standing over Paul's words to Timothy, "Fight the good fight of faith."
Of course, the fight of faith is not waged with a rifle and whom Christ has set free, is free indeed, no matter what country he lives in.
How can one fight for the Prince of Peace with the sword?! Christ is freedom indeed.
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