Proper debate at about war ‘honours those who have died’
-9/11/06
Having a good publ
Proper debate at about war ‘honours those who have died’
-9/11/06
Having a good public debate about the causes of war and alternatives to it is a positive way to honour those who have died during countless human conflicts, the UK Christian think tank has said today.
The comment came in the wake of impassioned responses to Ekklesiaís suggestion that churches holding remembrance services should be promoting white peace poppies alongside red ones, in order to stress that violent conflict is not a ësolutioní to human problems.
The Times and Express newspapers have both wrongly claimed that Ekklesia seeks the end of the red poppy. In fact it is arguing for choice and conversation about the meaning of the symbolism.
The think tank points out that both the red poppy and the cross of Christ are symbols of sacrifice, but while one embodies the idea that violence can be redemptive, the other shows that absorbing rather than inflicting it is what lies at the heart of the Gospel.
It also recalls that the white poppy was produced after those manufacturing red poppies rejected the idea of having the statement ëNo More Warí at their centre. Some of those who first distributed them were those bereaved and brutalized by the First World War.
Speaking to the BBC and other media outlets, Ekklesia co-directors Jonathan Bartley and Simon Barrow said that annual occasions of remembrance were a good time to discuss whether war as an instrument of policy really does bring freedom and a more secure world.
ìIf you believe that those who serve in the armed forces are defending freedom, then freedom to consider alternative perspectives is surely part of what you stand forî, Bartley commented.
On Sky News a spokesperson for the British Legion agreed that choice was indeed appropriate. The Legion works around the year for the welfare of veterans and their families and for fair treatment of them ñ in the face of what many regard as inadequate government support.
Speaking to Vatican Radio today, Ekklesiaís Simon Barrow said: ìThe issue we are raising is about how war is best remembered and addressed. Many people choose to wear both white and red poppies ñ in order to honour those who have died, and to point out that we need alternatives to war as a way of addressing conflict.î
He added: ìThe British Legion does valuable work, and people understandably want to support it financially. The peace education fund that benefits from the sale of white poppies is also important, though much smaller.î
Explained Mr Barrow: ìHowever, the language and imagery about ëfighting for freedomí and ëthe glorious deadí which often accompanies war remembrance reinforces a belief that violence is redemptive. We think that is a dangerous idea, that it contradicts the central Christian message, and that it is the root of a lot of our problems in todayís violent world.î
Ekklesia says that the white poppy has a universalism which the red one lacks for some people ñ it is not used in Germany, and it is not understood by many Muslims, for example. The problem of war, the think tank says, is now a global issue and needs to be symbolised in that way – recognising also the suffering of civilians and the work of nonviolent peacemakers.
See also: Violent solutions not ‘normal’ but mythic, says theologian 09/11/06; Challenge to political correctness of the poppy 09/11/06; Canadian war veterans attack peace activists over white poppies 08/11/06; Controversy over sale of white poppies. More on the roots of the “myth of redemptive violence” here. Walter Wink is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, USA. His books may be purchased at Metanoia Books. To buy white poppies: http://www.whitepoppy.org/; British Legion appeal: http://www.poppy.org.uk/givemoney.cfm.
Proper debate at about war ‘honours those who have died’
-9/11/06
Having a good public debate about the causes of war and alternatives to it is a positive way to honour those who have died during countless human conflicts, the UK Christian think tank has said today.
The comment came in the wake of impassioned responses to Ekklesiaís suggestion that churches holding remembrance services should be promoting white peace poppies alongside red ones, in order to stress that violent conflict is not a ësolutioní to human problems.
The Times and Express newspapers have both wrongly claimed that Ekklesia seeks the end of the red poppy. In fact it is arguing for choice and conversation about the meaning of the symbolism.
The think tank points out that both the red poppy and the cross of Christ are symbols of sacrifice, but while one embodies the idea that violence can be redemptive, the other shows that absorbing rather than inflicting it is what lies at the heart of the Gospel.
It also recalls that the white poppy was produced after those manufacturing red poppies rejected the idea of having the statement ëNo More Warí at their centre. Some of those who first distributed them were those bereaved and brutalized by the First World War.
Speaking to the BBC and other media outlets, Ekklesia co-directors Jonathan Bartley and Simon Barrow said that annual occasions of remembrance were a good time to discuss whether war as an instrument of policy really does bring freedom and a more secure world.
ìIf you believe that those who serve in the armed forces are defending freedom, then freedom to consider alternative perspectives is surely part of what you stand forî, Bartley commented.
On Sky News a spokesperson for the British Legion agreed that choice was indeed appropriate. The Legion works around the year for the welfare of veterans and their families and for fair treatment of them ñ in the face of what many regard as inadequate government support.
Speaking to Vatican Radio today, Ekklesiaís Simon Barrow said: ìThe issue we are raising is about how war is best remembered and addressed. Many people choose to wear both white and red poppies ñ in order to honour those who have died, and to point out that we need alternatives to war as a way of addressing conflict.î
He added: ìThe British Legion does valuable work, and people understandably want to support it financially. The peace education fund that benefits from the sale of white poppies is also important, though much smaller.î
Explained Mr Barrow: ìHowever, the language and imagery about ëfighting for freedomí and ëthe glorious deadí which often accompanies war remembrance reinforces a belief that violence is redemptive. We think that is a dangerous idea, that it contradicts the central Christian message, and that it is the root of a lot of our problems in todayís violent world.î
Ekklesia says that the white poppy has a universalism which the red one lacks for some people ñ it is not used in Germany, and it is not understood by many Muslims, for example. The problem of war, the think tank says, is now a global issue and needs to be symbolised in that way – recognising also the suffering of civilians and the work of nonviolent peacemakers.
See also: Violent solutions not ‘normal’ but mythic, says theologian 09/11/06; Challenge to political correctness of the poppy 09/11/06; Canadian war veterans attack peace activists over white poppies 08/11/06; Controversy over sale of white poppies. More on the roots of the “myth of redemptive violence” here. Walter Wink is Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City, USA. His books may be purchased at Metanoia Books. To buy white poppies: http://www.whitepoppy.org/; British Legion appeal: http://www.poppy.org.uk/givemoney.cfm.