Even as the vote goes well, does Gitmo get our goat?


Today is the day. Iraqi elections seem to be making a mark. It's certainly a good sign that so many have been able to vote. But, even as things seem to be flowing well in this particular vein, even as Al-Jezeera gives a positive report for a day, there must be a reckoning for some of our wrong doing in the "war on terror".

Because today is also a day Christians in America need to speak up. We need to demand to know if the horrific conduct at Gitmo recently reported by the Associated Press is true. Did American women sexually humiliate Muslim men to gain information? If it is true, we need to abhor and condemn it. We need to be alarmed that our fellow countrymen and women would stoop so low as to shame grown men into being afraid to pray.

Don't I know some of these people may have been trying to kill Americans?

Yes, I do. But I remember somewhere hearing a scripture that said not to fear those who might kill the body as much as to fear those who could destroy both our body and soul in hell.

Is our government allowing its operatives to debase themselves in such a way to endanger their own souls?

Are we going to rationalize this conduct?

Americans went to the polls, and according to President Bush, validated his Iraq policies.

Americans went to the polls with morality on their minds. Is morality about universal principles or is it only relevant when our interests are being served?

Will American Christians stand up and condemn this?

I found Andrew Sullivan's book reviews and commentary challenging. What do you think?

MLK, KKK, and ATL

On a clear day, I can see Stone Mountain—a massive elevated edifice of granite embossed with the figures of Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and Jefferson Davis on my commute to work. In stark contrast to its natural majesty and artistry, Stone Mountain bears the ignoble distinction as a home for the nascent Ku Klux Klan.

To the south of my trek workward I see the skyline of Atlanta towering about Sweet Auburn Avenue. In contrast to the neighborhood’s stark urban landscape, the district preserves the Ebenezer Baptist Church, cradle to the spiritual, political, and social leadership of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement.

Both movements claimed Christ and inflamed the hearts and actions of their followers.They represented some of the best and the worst of Biblical interpretation and ethics.

We Atlantans live with the legacy of both.

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by the way
Today, Wineskins at www.wineskins.org published their Inaguration Issue and included an article I wrote,
"When Red and Blue meet in the Pew." It's essentially a compilation of a few of these Bev's Blogs from the election season. If you have considered subscribing to Wineskins, maybe you could actual start up this week.

Where do we begin but on our knees?

Someone I am getting know, LaDonna Greiner, Executive Director, Georgia & Alabama World Vision, Inc. shared this with me today from World Vision's prayer mobilization coordinator.

PRAYER ALERT UPDATE

EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI DISASTER IN ASIA AND EAST
AFRICA

Please continue to pray:

- For God's mercy and favor on this region, as the situation is
overwhelming and chaotic. Ask that His Spirit would be present amidst the
devastation and that His hand would be on every aspect of the relief
effort.

- For survivors who are struggling to live, who are injured or diseased,
that they would not become another figure in the death toll.

- For guidance for leaders of the relief effort who are making key
decisions, that no time would be wasted and that efforts would be
maximized. The next couple days are crucial. Ask for good coordination
between governments, relief organizations, and other groups.

- At this stage of relief, providing basics for the surivors is key.
Please pray for the effective provision of food, medicine, shelter, and
sanitation. Clean water is especially needed as contaminated water can
carry more than 50 diseases. There is fear of an epidemic breakout - pray
that this would not occur.

- Ask that money and other resources would be provided quickly and
generously. It is estimated that aid may ultimately cost billions of
dollars. Pray that donors would continue giving even after the initial
phase of relief.

- Pray for peace and comfort for the children have been orphaned, and for
all who are in a state of emotional shock. In a matter of a few hours,
they have lost loved ones and everything they own. Pray also for wisdom
and encouragement for relief workers, that they would be protected and that
their work would effective.

- Ask that in this time of darkness and despair, many will find true hope
in Jesus, and that the Church would be an effective instrument in bringing
His compassion to the victims of this disaster.