Sunday, February 5, 2012

I just read “UN: Afghan civilian deaths in war hit record high”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/46262008/ns/world_news-south_and_central_asia/#.Ty75r8jjvQU

I recalled and looked up the term “Body count” in Wikipedia: “Since the goal of the United States in the Vietnam War was not to conquer North Vietnam but rather to ensure the survival of the South Vietnamese government, measuring progress was difficult. All the contested territory was theoretically held already. Instead, the US Army used body counts to show that the US was winning the war. The Army's theory was that eventually, the Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army would lose after the attrition warfare.” When unleashing monstrosity on ‘primitive barbarians’ for “shock and awe” value it’s forgotten that a “body” is a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, a sister, a neighbor, a friend. How can one convey the horror and agony involved in killing of non-combatant “human beings”? Can murder be justified? Does “cost of war” or “collateral damage” help numb the senses and hide the fact that those who unleash such murderous acts torment souls?  “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13) [Matthew 5:21, Matthew 15:19, Matthew 19:19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Romans 13:9, James 2:11] And, are we, in our acquiescence complicit in these evil crimes?

Renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12)

The Beatitudes
    He said:    3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
   for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
   for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
   for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
   for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
   for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
   for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.