War Is Unholy
by
Gary D. Barnett
Recently
by Gary D. Barnett: The
Scourge of Collectivism in the Nation State of America
The drums of
war now beat continuously in the land of the “free” and
the home of the “brave.” The sound of those drums is deafening
to those few who understand the real nature of war, but silent to
most of the rest of American society, a society consumed by the
practice of false patriotism.
In days gone
by, war was a time of gathering together, of celebration, of waving
flags and parades. It was a time of praying for victory; it was
a time of unbridled patriotic fervor. The streets were filled with
parents and loved ones ready to send their own off to their death
for the glory of the cause! Dreams of medals and high honor ran
high, as the soldiers began their journey into the fields of battle
with the single-minded hope of being triumphant in their glorious
adventure of maim and slaughter.
The hard reality
is that never was any war glorious or deserving of celebration.
No U.S. war has ever been warranted or necessary in my opinion,
and no war has ever been fought by those in this country for self-defense
or for “national security.” In fact, the only things secured
by wars are the coffers of the banks and war-dependent corporations,
the government’s advancing power structure, and graveyards.
While wars
are not as broadly celebrated in today’s America as they once were,
probably due to the fact that they are never ending, those who prosecute
wars are celebrated. They are cheered on, thanked for their “service,”
and paraded around their hometowns when they return without arms
and legs. Most every sporting event showcases the military, have
fighter jets flying over the stadiums, and giant flags are proudly
displayed on the battlefields of these mock gladiators. Songs of
war are sung, and hands are placed on hearts all across this land.
It is a most pathetic display of nationalism!
One of the
most troubling aspects of this worship of killing is that it is
practiced in many so-called houses of God. This is a contradiction
almost beyond description. Many churches across the land, and many
so-called Christians take a backseat to no one when it comes to
supporting the troops and the wars they fight. They fill the pews,
and pray that their side be victorious in battle. They pray for
the defeat of those warred against, and pray for their death. They
pray for the armies to stand strong, and never relent in their effort
to destroy the enemy. They pray that God be with the troops, and
that God be on our side!
Mark Twain’s
“The War Prayer”
is a most appropriate description of the despicable behavior practiced
by those who pretend to be holy, and who at the same time worship
aggressive wars of destruction and death.
“O Lord
our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to
battle – be Thou near them! With them – in spirit – we also go forth
from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe.
O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds
with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the
pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of
the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help
us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help
us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing
grief; help us to turn them out roofless with little children to
wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and
hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy
winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring
Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it – for our sakes who
adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract
their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way
with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded
feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source
of Love, and Who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that
are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts.
Amen.
I was taught
that all on earth are made in God’s image. I was taught the Golden
Rule. I was taught that life is sacred, and that we should love
our neighbor. None of us are perfect, but why do so many wish harm
on others? Why do so many revel in the slaughter of our fellow human
beings? Why do so many cheer on the battle? Why do so many applaud
when the bombs rain down? Why do so many pray to God for unmerciful
war?
In the United
States, war has become a constant. War is a part of our everyday
lives, and it is difficult to even imagine peace. A better way is
to be unable to imagine war!
The evil controllers
of this country, and their military are waging many wars today.
Many more are being planned. None are warranted, and none are necessary.
All are criminal. Will this madness ever stop? Will the killing
ever end? Can human decency ever replace the wanton desire for the
carnage of war?
War is evil.
It is the essence of darkness. It is immoral. It contradicts all
that is right. War is ungodly because its aim is the destruction
of mankind. War is unholy, and God is not on our side!
May
7, 2012
Gary
D. Barnett [send him mail]
is president of Barnett Financial Services, Inc., in Lewistown,
Montana. Visit his website.
Copyright
© 2012 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or in
part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.