Forgiveness Is The Need Of The Hour

9 November 2001, 12:20am IST
P C Xavier.

The darkest day in the history of america — september 11, 2001 — will be remembered by mankind all over the world as ‘terror tuesday’, when in a dastardly crime against humanity, terrorists believed to be islamic fundamentalists, blew up a prominent new york landmark. thousands of innocent lives from over 67 countries were brutally snuffed out. the precious lives lost included the hapless passengers of hijacked aircraft and the rescue personnel who rushed to the wtc after the first plane was crashed into the tower. the whole world that watched on tv this bizarre, evil and despicable act of terrorism condemned it in one united voice. america’s natural pride and psyche were hurt and it was but natural for us president george w bush to vow to avenge the killing. he declared that america would not make any distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them. ‘‘us troops will hunt down terrorists and smoke them out of their holes in a long unrelenting war’’, he said in an address. america has already moved its troops, warships and warplanes and has earmarked billions of dollars towards the goal of ‘smoking out the terrorists’. the prime suspect, osama bin laden, and the taliban are the initial targets. while the whole world wept and mourned with the americans, the million-dollar question one needs to ask at this hour of crisis is whether a lasting solution could be found by staging a war against terrorists. the answer is a clear ‘no’, as violence begets violence. terrorists are highly motivated fundamentalists who strike at will and are not concerned about their lives or other innocent lives. it will thus be foolhardy to go after them in a war but other means should be adopted to catch them and put them on trial. more and more innocent lives will be lost besides rendering many orphan and homeless in a war. if hundred terrorists are killed, a thousand will spring up. the need of the hour, therefore, is to place everything in the hands of the god and forgive the perpetrators of this crime. while on the cross, jesus said: ‘‘father forgive them for they know not what they are doing’’. when jesus was about to be arrested, one of his disciples simon peter who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s slave cutting off his right ear. jesus said to this disciple: ‘‘put your sword back in its place. all who take the sword will die by the sword’’. jesus then touched the man’s ear and healed him. it is paradoxical on the one hand for president bush to invoke the god’s name, like ‘‘god bless america’’ and ‘‘though i walk through the valley of the shadow of death, i will fear no evil: for you are with me’’ and on the other to cry ‘war’ and prepare for it. nothing happens without the knowledge of god ‘‘even the hairs of your head have all been counted’’ says the bible, ‘‘do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul; rather be afraid of god, who can destroy both body and soul in hell. for only a penny, you can buy two sparrows, yet not one sparrow falls to the ground without your father’s consent...’’ perhaps, a tragedy of more severity was to befall america; had the tragedy been due to an earthquake, everyone would have said ‘‘god bless america’’ and suffered silently. ‘‘if the lord does not build the house, the work of the builders is useless; if the lord does not protect the city, it is useless for the sentries to guard’’. although any nation is put to test when its pride is hurt and the need to retaliate is tremendous, it makes sense to control one’s basic instincts and act in a more humane manner. history is replete with wars fought and blood of several nations shed. all of it makes sense only if human civilisation has learnt something from it. have we tried to forgive and forget? it seems not. beneath the veneer of civilisation, we are still prone to primitive behaviour. talking peace is meaningless unless we make it a religion. the bible is replete with words of wisdom; rather than preparing for war let the americans, people of other nations including the terrorists learn some words of wisdom and resolve to wipe the tears of the hurt and heal the wounds of the injured. no religion teaches bloodshed; let us shed hatred and work for universal brotherhood, love and lasting peace. it would thus be magnanimous on the part of president bush to declare that america forgives its enemies and wants to give peace a chance.

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