"The people have given us the duty to defend them, and that duty sometimes requires the violent restraint of violent men. In some cases, the measured use
of force is all that protects us from a chaotic world ruled by force."
President George W. Bush [Quoted in The New York Times, November 20, 2003.]
"The most curious thing about this myth and its acceptance is that nonviolence, which is the one political philosophy today that appeals directly to the gospel, should be regarded as unchristian while reliance on force and cooperation with massive programs of violence is sometimes seen as an obvious and elementary Christian duty."
Father Emanuel Charles McCarthy [Quoted on contemplate in GraceNotes: Practical Faith.]
You discern the level of awareness from which come
these pronouncements. Both are well-meaning, one
comes from deep intention. Both are to be respected,
one comes from a life lived deeply in mercy's heart.
The morality of a situation is not in every case relative.
The practical duty at the deep end of things must take
account of the political landscape without losing a soul.
Seeing life as chaotic and the rule of force necessary,
may justify to some for a time the need for violence to restrain violence. Yet justice will not bless all means.
At land's end violence arises from fear, that fails the
test of grace, perfect love; violence results in more
hostility, that fails the test of spirit, openness of mind
and heart and hand. Aggression is a no-win gambit.
Clarity and compassion and contemplation trump cruelty.
For in the spirit there's one foe, and one foe alone; to see
it's prideful deportment often takes a mirror.
