The Church and Terrorism

On September 11, 2001, an explosion of terror rent the fabric of meaning in two. On this fateful day, the World Trade Center was destroyed by a twisted logic of religious fervor. A well-trained few began their destruction of that which they consider evil.

The wound inflicted on America was felt by the world and a world-resolve is growing that this insanity must be eradicated at its root level. The immediate response to this violence is to move militarily against those who inspire and those who carry out this degradation of humanity. It would seem that such action is appropriate to the crime. Certainly, as we struggle with deep and complex issues related to a world of close encounters of differences, justice demands a swift and harsh judgment on those who perpetuate such violence.

Terrorism Resources

Bishop Hassinger's letter UMC's statement on terrorism UMC's position on military service and war and peace  Confessing Movement

At the same time, as perhaps never before, Christians are called upon to renew their love of Christ made known to the entire world as the willingness to be a "compassionate presence" in the midst of the tremendous diversity that our world is.

Our "story" says that God "spoke" and all life-forms "came to pass." As well, our "story" says that God created humanity to be caretakers of all forms of life. When all was finished God stepped back and said, "My, how very good!"

The continued manifestation of life's splendor is intimately related, says St. Paul, to the offering of our "everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life..." This, he says, is the only adequate response to the magnificent gift called life.

The offering of our everyday stuff is the only way available to most of us who want to respond to the call to "do something" to honor those whose lives were cut short. We really have no other place to begin than with ourselves if we want to offer anything substantial. We must find a way to untangle sorrow, anger, and hatred from acceptance, kindness and love.

Listen to the words of one whose fame may have been other than her heart's deepest longing:

"Couldn't we end this interview with what I really want to say?
What the world really needs is a real feeling of kinship - everybody -
stars, laborers, Negroes, Jews, Arabs. We are all brothers.
If we could end this article saying just that, we'd get down to what we should all be talking about."... Marilyn Monroe

Our faith community - the Church on the Cape - is being called to live the story of love's kinship with all creation.

Bill Gardei, Pastor

The Church on the Cape
P O Box 7663
3 Langsford Road
Cape Porpoise, ME 04014-7663
207 967- 5787 or Email
Office