Cast the first stone

Massoud’s latest blog reminds me that America and Americans, and, really, all people, are at root peace-loving. We all know that war is hell, yet we keep getting into wars.

Why is that?

We could simply say that Americans are also blood thirsty if provoked. And perhaps a bit paranoid. The Cold War was an excellent example. The Communists are taking over the world, the argument went, we need to stop them, else our affluent society will fall to the Red Menace.

Neocon thinkers know this, and are doing their level best to replace the Red Menace with something they are calling “Islamo-fascism.” They keep pointing to 9/11 and lesser acts to stoke up American paranoia and blood lust. It “worked” for a while, but now, it appears from Massoud’s research, the blood lust is abating.

Thank goodness.

Whatever your spiritual views, I think it’s safe to say that the US is by and large a “Christian” nation. Not only is it the predominant religious tradition, but our culture and social norms were shaped by Christian thinking, if not specific practice of a particular Christian faith.

For ex., most Americans are familiar with the two Biblical notions: the Golden Rule and “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” These two ideas, which can also be found in other religious traditions, are universal truths, IMO. I suggest that to be human is to recognize these truths, deep down.

Unfortunately, the “first stone” test is generally flunked in most American military actions. It appears that war advocates have gotten very effective at manipulating the American psyche and institutions to override or disregard the first-stone test.

Our action in Afghanistan passed the first-stone test. In Iraq, it failed. Based on the poll that Massoud points us to, it appears that Americans are remembering their core values.

I hope so.

-Robert Capozzi