I’m finally mad at the media. Today we went to a new area of Istanbul. We were invited into an Afghan community center. Here we were, 7 strangers they had never met, and they gave up their afternoon to give us tea and little sweet doughnut things and talk with us. They were very friendly and shared stories of growing up in Afghanistan and coming to Turkey. They were strong muslims and told us some of their traditions and why they held them but were also attentive to our side of the Abraham story and why we don’t sacrifice anymore. They invited us to a big meal of usbek rice and meat that they would make for us tonight.
“All violence stems from a myopic sense of community” Shane Claiborne
That quote changed my whole perspective on violence and war. If we draw the bounds of community around our country lines, or around our faith lines or racial lines then we will have no problem with violence done to those outside our community. But if we draw the line of brotherhood around every person on this planet then we will take very seriously any harm caused to our brothers and sisters.
I remember points in my life where I defended in conversation the war in Iraq and the war in Afghanistan. Now that I have friends and faces from those on the other side of the battle lines I cannot be so quick to commend something so harmful. It’s not just making friends that changed my mind, I have fallen in love with the way of peace and the power of peaceful resistance. I have fallen in love with the prince of peace.
So I’m mad at the media for painting a picture of pain, for producing a portrayal of injustice. I feel like we’ve only heard one side of the story in much of media and there is so much beauty and kindness that we hear nothing about. But more than that I’m mad at myself for believing it, for being lulled to apathy by lies. If anyone knows me there’s nothing I care more about than Jesus, and knowing Him. But I want to make a difference, I want to show them the love of Jesus. I can no longer support violence towards people who are my friends.
