The Wayward Pacifists

Over the course of becoming a soldier, Cindy Sheehan's son found democracy worth believing in. He went into battle not believing in Republican or Democrat ideals, but fought as a soldier should: for a principal. Men and women volunteer for many reasons, but like raw metal being forged into a sword, they emerge believers in their cause. I know the human cost of war, and have seen the unpleasant reality of the men and women who serve and come back changed in ways they did not want. Though I dislike the politics of war, I am grateful that he served, and I am very sorry that he died.

I don't know what changes came to Cindy Sheehan as she stood on the wind whipped plains outside President Bush's ranch. Was she thinking of who she was before her son enlisted? Did she put much stock in the hackneyed line that he died in vain? I wonder because I see her standing next to President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, a man who says, "down with the U.S. empire." His sweep to bash the U.S. is in direct conflict with her son, who fought and died believing in freedom.

To be a lover of peace does not mean that one practices pacifism. Pacifists are some of the most kick ass, zealous, deep believers in peace because it is fundamental to their identity. It isn't something that they wave on a placard, wear on a t-shirt, or slap on the bumper of a car. Pacifism is something they accept after much contemplation and deliberation.

Take for instance the Amish, whose generational adherence to pacifism is something that is inextricably ingrained. They shun modern society, though tragically in the events last week in Pennsylvania, it creeps in on them. But still, despite the odds, they remain pacifists. When violent tragedy befalls them they include the offender in their circle of prayer and they forgive. Why? Because love is the basis of pacifism.

Then there was the late Thomas Merton, a Trappist Monk and peace activist who wrote on society and the contemplative life. To Merton, our obligation was to mirror the image of Christ, thus waging war represented a deviation from His teachings. He believed to be at peace, to promote it and to oppose policies and institutions that centered on creating or supporting war was a responsibility learned from the teachings of Christ. Merton's belief as a pacifist came not solely as a religious conviction, but also as the product of much deliberation and reason. He believed that all wars were avoidable tragedies.

During the time of his writings in the 1960's, millions would turn out in tie-dye and daisies. But Merton was not so easily swayed by their outward appearance. He pondered that many might be cowards, their belief both fleeting and on the surface. "They prefer love as an idea, but when confronted with force, they have only two ways out: to run away or call the police. In the end, they fall back on force to defend and affirm love." He abhored the stereotype that inconsistencies led to: "that pacifists are people who simply prefer to yield to violence and evil rather than resist it in any way, [who] prefer to sink into their religious apathy and let the enemy overrun the country unresisted,”. Most of all, Merton detested the " caricature of pacifism [because it] reduces it to a purely eccentric individualism of conscience declaring that the pacifist is willing to let everyone be destroyed merely because he himself does not have a taste for war.”* He asked for careful consideration because he knew that being a pacifist isn't easy.

Merton knew the most defeated sometimes become the peacemakers themselves. They can find themselves reviled and victims of the inherent self-hatred of men, mocked when their efforts fail. To be Amish, Hutterite, Mennonite, a monk, nun, priest or another takes humility and discipline. They have my wholehearted respect. The reasons to become a pacifist might start at being anti-Bush, anti-Democrat, anti-Republican or anti-US, but hatred will eventually wear a person out, leading to isolation. Pacifism is a long and arduous path, and the basis of it is that one believes in the life affirming power of love, or as Merton wrote, "For only love --which means humility --can exorcise the fear which is at the root of war."

As for Sheehan, I see her actions as those of someone who mistakes busy-ness with pacifism. She is hurt,and also experiencing an exhilarating growth. Typical at this point, she is happy to get on any bus that stops in front of her heart. But she needs to take care to read the destination point before hopping on. This is the contemplative side to pacifism. Perhaps she can remember these words from Merton as she struggles to find her own direction: "So instead of loving what you think is peace, love other men and love God above all. And instead of hating the people you think are warmakers, hate the appetites of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed --but hate these things within yourself, not in another."** May she find the light that is her son.

*"Thomas Merton and The Theology of Peace," by Kent D. Shifferd
**"New Seeds Of Contemplation" by Thomas Merton