Thoughts and Remembrances on 9-11

I am remembering the lives lost in the 9/11 tragedy today and the lives that have been lost since in the wars that followed.

The beloved Americans lost on that fateful day were just the beginning of a senseless tragedy that would continue on for over a decade.

According to http://costsofwar.org/  &  http://news.brown.edu/pressreleases/2011/06/warcosts

•Over 6,000 US troops have died, as have 2,300 Pentagon contractors

•There have been at least 126,000 Iraqi civilians killed, by conservative estimate, since the invasion.

•Over 550,000 disability claims have been registered with the VA as of fall 2010

•By conservative estimate, 12,500 Afghan civilians have been killed

The death and disabling physical, mental and emotional injury continues, even as our current administration fights to shut down the occupations.  I am grateful to President Obama for removing the threat of Osama Bin Laden and for his commitment to diplomacy instead of war.

The misuse of  Christian trust has become a troubling issue since 9-11.  Many Christian pastors gladly hopped on board to scare up the evangelical voting block's support for continued war efforts in the name of national security.  However, Christian pastors who are pro-war are preaching a false gospel.  The Christ in the bible was in no way in favor of war, or establishing His Kingdom on earth.  He rejected the idea during His forty day wilderness fast when Satan offered Him the kingdoms of the world and again when He was asked to rise up against the Romans.  His refusal to fight with military force was part of the reason Jesus Barabbas was chosen to be freed instead of the pacifist Christ.  The people wanted an uprising and war, Jesus wanted His kingdom to be in the hearts of His followers. This has not changed.  His kingdom is within us and also in the heavenly realms. 

Unfortunately people are still deceived into believing that war is a Christian tradition.  The post 9-11 fear-mongering and misinformation has promoted hate and bigotry towards peaceful Muslim and Hindus worldwide.  Well meaning Christians have fallen prey to this fear and had their hearts and minds corrupted.  My heart also grieves for this tremendous tragedy.

Lord Jesus, be with those whose lives were forever changed by the tragedy of 9-11, heal their hearts and minds.  Lord deliver your followers from the shackles of irrational fear.  So be it.