Dear Members and Friends,
One of the real joys of owning and using a Windows based computer is receiving the unexpected messages that will now and again pop up on screen while you are working. Initially, these "cyber-communiqués" seem to indicate grave danger, but ultimately they point out something far more benign, even helpful.
I can still remember the first time I was typing away on an essay, when all of a sudden my work disappeared. The entire screen changed to the color of the afternoon sky, with white letters declaring, "A Fatal Exception has occurred…" Later I was to learn that the original programmers call this "the blue screen of death." How nice. I thought perhaps I should back away from my desk before the giant meltdown! Alas, it never came.
Another expression posted unpredictably on my PC, accompanied by a big red 'X', was the declaration, "This program has performed an Illegal Operation." The first time I saw this I called a computer savvy friend to ask if somehow I had incurred the risk of jail time. Fortunately, it wasn't quite that bad.
Being privileged to once again join the STAR program at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, I participated in this year's Summer Peacebuilding Institute. At first, I went there with the sense that so often in speaking out on the emotive issues of our day, what we think we've said is not what some people believe they've heard. In other words, statements we make that are totally benign to us, communicate something entirely different, even hostile, to others coming from a different perspective.
Looking back over the last few years since 9-11, the reality that all of us would react passionately to unfolding events and responses is normal and healthy. Yet, I am concerned that in the present national discourse, in articulating certain opinions, too often there is a tactic used to disparage the motives and character of the opposition. I believe this approach tends to turn wholesome diversity into simmering animosity and further traumatizes a people still not recovered from what took place in New York City.
As a Christian, I am convinced that in the eyes of Our Lord, what is as important as how we respond to terror is how we treat and relate to each other. In this regard, for the future, I believe as a country we can do a better job of respecting those with whom we happen to disagree, according them the positive respect they deserve as presumably good citizens trying their very best under extremely difficult circumstances. I am hoping in the days ahead that we can seriously debate the issues of our day, without using the concepts of patriotism or peace as a cover for vicious personal attack. To me, an antagonistic approach is not only unnecessary, it is also un-Christian and I hope that soon it will become completely un-American.
In Virginia, I was lucky to be in the presence of many wonderful people from near and far - both geographically and politically. As time wore on I felt a growing sense of personal safety wherein we could all be "ourselves". Thus as views were more openly shared, the risk of being hurt was exponentially increased. Yet so was the opportunity and potential for being fully heard and deeply healed! At the end, when it came time to say farewell, the hugs, kisses and tears we shared were very special. Indeed, the ones finally exchanged with those who had once seemed miles apart from me turned out to be the most profoundly moving of all.
From Reverend William J. Keane,
Senior Minister of First Baptist Church of Branford
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