August 2, 2002

Should we presume U.S. leaders seek justice for 9-11?

Through A Glass Darkly, by John Myers, Internet Photojournalist

"Should American Christians presume that U.S. political leaders are seeking justice in 9-11 and offer those leaders our support, until it is proven that they have acted unjustly? Or should American Christians presume that our leaders are preparing to abuse their power and need to be dissuaded by expressions of distrust?"

The question is the 10th in a series of essays on the Sept. 11 attacks in Straight Answers to Moral Confusion in National Crisis by the Institute on Religion and Democracy. The series authored by Alan F.H. Wisdom focuses on the role of America's churches in response to the attacks.

Whether America's church leaders assume the first or the second presumption seems to define its left and right divisions.

Wisdom quotes conservative church leaders who visited the White House shortly after 9-11 who came away impressed with the quality of leadership being exhibited by President Bush.

"We all came away impressed with where he is right now as a leader and where he is spiritually," said Southern Baptist President James Merritt of President Bush.

President Gerald Kieschnick of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod said "I can't begin to express the sense of integrity, the sense of spirituality, of humility and of courage that the President displayed."

But many oldline church leaders from the left seemed "primed to condemn Bush and his administration at the first opportunity," Wisdom said. "They seem unable to drop their distrust of any U.S. President (especially a Republican) calling in the military for any reason," he adds.

Wesley Granberg-Michaelson of the Reformed Church in America wrote an article titled, "Deliver Us From Evil," saying "the church must steadfastly insist on the distinction between justice and revenge... That counsel needs to be heard and heeded by those now calling the country to war."

Wisdom observes "So far, the military actions of U.S. forces in Afghanistan appear to be quite discriminating and proportionate. The fears of leaders like Granberg-Michaelson do not seem to have been vindicated. Unless the U.S. conduct of the war takes on a much bloodier, more indiscriminate aspect, perhaps President Bush deserves a presumption of support from church leaders."

Wisdom adds that America's churches "do have an important role to play in the broader struggle against terrorism. We look to our churches to nurture the national courage and perseverance that are needed in this time -- virtues that spring most powerfully from a firm Christian faith."

I must add, not since World War II have our leaders needed all Americans' strong support more. When it comes to the fight against evil, the church should be leading, not opposing the President and our men and women in uniform in harm's way.