A Modest Proposal?

A. Unabashed Pacifist

From Pandas for Peace:
Like other vegetarians, we are pacifists. You will not find us posing to be mascots or examples of warriors. When a war starts, we retreat to the bamboo forest, a place of tranquility and grace. Try it.

B. Unabashed Christian:

Holy One,

By your grace, we have felt the assurance of your forgiveness in Jesus Christ.
By your grace, we have seen miraculous events in our lives.
By your grace, we know freedom from the bonds of sin and guilt and death.
By your grace, we have the presence of your spirit to guide our steps into your future.
Amen

C. Un-quoting Jesus:

“Matthew suggests that to solve our financial crisis, we could start a franchise selling Savior’s shakes, sundaes and sodas. What do the rest of you think?”

[He had another plan.]

D. Blog: Poster Controversy

The poster said it was a modest proposal for peace: “What if Christians Agree Not to Kill Each Other?”

Some highly sensitive people criticized the question because it might imply that it would be okay to kill people of other religions. Of course its intent was to say that such a first step would be a big improvement over a situation where Christians think it’s okay to kill each other when their governments say they should. Its intent was to say that it is hypocritical of Christians to work for peace so long as they are willing to kill each other. Its intent was to raise this question among Christians: “How can we have peace so long as Christians can’t even take this first step?”

As we deal with such a modest proposal, we also begin to make the bolder proposal: “What if religious people of the world agreed not to kill each other?” What if we show this much respect for the God we all call holy, the One who inspires our faith and devotion, the One reflected in part in each one of us? What if we make our declaration of peace with people of all faiths?

It might suggest to skeptics and unbelievers that there is something to religious belief after all, that it’s more than a vestige of superstitious pre-history, that it might actually have something meaningful to say to a too violent world.
But perhaps that’s too much to expect. Perhaps killing one another is the best our religions have to offer…