What a breath of fresh air in the news from Lebanon! The Greek Orthodox Archbishop of Beirut, Elias Audi, has declared that there is no such thing as holy war, and his stand represents other leaders of his church. The Archbishop’s statement, on October 19, was intended to distance the Lebanese Orthodox Church from the Russian Orthodox Church, and was supported by 46 Lebanese church leaders who a few days earlier signed a petition decrying the Russian church’s description of Moscow’s intervention in Syria as a “holy war.”
Audi’s words, “Our church does not bless wars and neither are wars holy,” was part of a Sunday sermon and quoted by the Beirut Daily Star.
I dare to hope for other churches around the world to follow the Lebanon church’s example and take such a position openly, because it is consistent with the teachings and example of Jesus, and because it is so needed in our world.
War not only is never holy but is the ultimate evil. The Lebanese should know. Their own civil war began with suspicion and fear and angry words and went on to encompass every wickedness man can think of: murder, massacres, kidnapping, greed, robbery, destruction, deceit, rape, terror, torture, and disregard for environment. How can any endeavor that requires the violation of all godly values be called holy?
The results of such crimes are: pain of every kind, the breakdown of law and order, loss of freedom, displacement and homelessness, mental and emotional scars, destruction of God’s world, death, grief and guilt. If we believe in a loving God, how can anything that results in so much suffering be called holy?
The term “holy war” really implies a good purpose, even a mission assigned to us by God, therefore it is tempting to imagine that God is endorsing our action when we believe that violence has become necessary. But the very idea distorts the concept of God demonstrated in the life and death of Jesus as well as the work he left for his followers. Jesus sent his disciples on a mission. They were not to fight but to share a message of love. They went unarmed, told stories, announced good news and did kind deeds. Though they were beaten and stoned and crucified, they did not fight back.
None of us can even imagine being sent by Jesus with bombs and machine guns to conquer territory or set up governments in his name. We cannot offer life and peace by killing, because the means by which we do something is part of the message we give.
For Christians or Muslims, the Russian Orthodox Church or ISIS, to claim that they wage war in the name of God, is to blaspheme God.
In Lebanon I knew a young man who had been fighting for years already when he was 20. He told me once, “When I take my gun and go to fight, I can’t ask God to go with me.” I considered these the saddest words I had ever heard. He explained to me why he could not stop fighting, and indeed he was in a bind. It seemed to be the only way.
But at least he understood why he fought. He was much closer to the truth than anyone who claims to be sent by God to make war.
The more I look back over the events of my lifetime and the more I read history, the more I understand that when we have reached the place where there seems to be nothing to do but to fight, it is because we have already failed to plan for peace, to study for peace and create a climate in which peace can grow. Maybe we have demanded our own rights and not those of others. We have seen oppression and ignored it, letting frustration fester. We have hoarded what others need. We have excluded the stranger instead of including. We have competed instead of sharing and dominated instead of serving. And we have trained and practiced and budgeted for war, because we are afraid.
In the end, as we pick up our weapons, we must ask God, not to “bless our war” and endorse our behavior but to forgive us.
Let us be honest, like the archbishop. There is no holy war. Once we acknowledge that, there will be hope for the world. It is imperative that people of faith lead the way.