September 18, 2001
Dear President George W. Bush,
I am a twenty-one year old male from mid-western
America. I have always been happy to live in The
United States; that feeling has not been affected by
the recent terrorist attacks. Thank you for your hard
work and dedication in keeping this country a safe and
free place. 

With that said, I am nervous and saddened by talk of
military retaliation. I do not claim to be a Christian. I 
was raised Catholic, but upon enduring the untimely
death of my father when I was twelve, I became an
atheist. Of course my rationale has changed with age,
but my beliefs stay the same. Nonetheless, I am still 
extremely Christian in my philosophy. In the words 
of Jesus Christ: Matthew 5: 38-40 "You have heard 
that it was said, `Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone 
strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other 
also. And if someone wants to sue you and
take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." 
Yes, these words are challenging and seem even a
little absurd. But Jesus sends a powerful message of peace
that cannot be ignored or discarded when it no
longer seems possible. Our beliefs should shape our
actions; our actions should never come before our
beliefs. I am not implying that we invite terrorists
into our country or even accept their presence
anywhere in the world--I simply suggest and urge that
we do not use military force as a means of
boosting morale or evening the scales. I have put all
of my selfish fears about personal safety and
consequences aside. Now my only concern is that more
lives will be lost. The temporary feeling of
vengeful pride that may come with violently striking
out at another nation will never outweigh the value of
life itself. What would Jesus do? Now is not the
time for our society to be wearing this question like
a neon badge on a bracelet, or merely thinking it in a
daydream, but rather acting and living in an 
empathetic, peaceful, Christ-like way. Death is never
the solution to death--it can only be life and love. 
It is time to send a powerful message to the world. 
What will that message be?

I understand that these are difficult times for you
and our country. You and everyone in Washington are
in my thoughts. Thank you a thousand times for doing
what you do.

Sincerely,




Joseph A. Hedges