On the Consequences of Inaction--Iraq War and the Parable of the Talents

The Gospel According to Dolly

Country-western singer Dolly Parton--who is a gifted songwriter, poetess and a surprisingly astute observer of human nature--is reported to have said: “We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”

I am a firm dis-believer in any power of evil, although people certainly do "evil" deeds. But is there some motivating force behind the tendency to act in hurtful and hateful ways? Some identify an “evil” force in opposition to the power of God, Satan or some other convenient scapegoat devil. However, a “power” of evil is a metaphysical oxymoron if God is truly All-Powerful. As Joseph Conrad said in his 1911 book Under Western Eyes, “The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.” [1]

However, Conrad’s observation raises an important issue which New Thought Christianity often finds uncomfortable: one cannot live a life on this planet without recognizing that there are evil deeds, evil ideas, evil intentions, and—yes—evil men. And women. Some people make horrific mistakes, bringing ruin on themselves and others, and the fact that good can come from every disaster does not require otherwise reasonable people to certify every painful mistake as a good choice. Common experience seems to show there are greater and lesser goods, even though the life program for each person may shift the values of good-and-lesser-good from situation to situation. Until a certain level of consciousness is achieved by all humans, conflicts will be inevitable. What’s good for the Indian war party defending their sacred hunting grounds is not good for the wagon train heading for Oregon.

Pacifism and “Just” War Theory: United in Goals

Having said this, it is still necessary to admit that at this stage of human consciousness some people choose to create circumstances so maladaptive and hurtful to others that the collective good requires their opposition. As Edmund Burke said nearly three centuries ago, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”[2] Pacifists insist there are no circumstances which require violence; advocates of the “just war” theory say not to fight Hitler would be an act of criminal negligence. Yet both are united in their goals, i.e., opposition to the forces of brutality and cruelty. The pacifist and “just war” participants merely disagree about means, i.e., about which tactics which can legitimately be used to overturn the brutalizers of this world. Pacifists say non-violence only; just war advocates say sometimes force is required.

Whatever tactic is used, there is arguably a universal theme running through the prophets, teachers and messiahs of humanity that insists, however defined, acts of “evil” must be opposed. Inaction is a choice, and the prophets, teachers and messiahs have decried the feckless response of those who chose detachment during times when decisive actions were crucial. In more recent times, Robert Kennedy (1964) said that one of his late brother’s favorite quotes was based on a scene form Dante’s Inferno, although it is often misreported as a line from the Italian poet’s towering work itself: “The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.”[3]
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One need not believe in a literal hell to grasp what President Kennedy heard in this popularized saying. Choices matter, and not to choose is sometimes the worst choice of all.

Parables about Choices: Adjusting the Sails

The Parable of the Talents introduces a proactive authority figure who makes decisive choices, much like the God of the Hebrew Scriptures. Other parables suggest that patience and inactivity are sometimes the best recourses, especially when life’s lessons have to be learned anew by the young. This is the lesson in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

The Parable of the Talents, however, tells another story. Three servants are given large sums of money to manage in absence of their supervisor. Two of them use the principles of circulation and increase their master's wealth. The third buries it in the ground for fear of losing it and getting in trouble. This parable shows how important it is to trust your gifts; it reminds people their choices matter, and that grown-ups meet their responsibilities without complaint. Finally, the return of the Master underscores the consequences of inaction when life requires decisive acts. The world is not always a happy place, but regardless of circumstances a person encounters, increase in prosperity, love and wholeness is possible. One can only hope the authors are guilty of succumbing to their own pessimism when both Matthew and Luke show punishment falling on the servant who gets it wrong. But even though the metaphor of “outer darkness” conveys fear and dread, the parable no where says this astringent consequence endures forever. There is still hope for a transformed person and a better world.

In the ancient world, the prevailing winds blew from many directions. These two parables show people responding to different challenges, adjusting their sails depending on the weather. Sometimes you act decisively; sometimes let go and let God. Spiritual wisdom means, in the words of the oft-quoted poem by Reinhold Neibuhr, "...the wisdom to know the difference."

Iraq War Requires Action and Patience: Congress Shows Neither

Real religion works in the real world. I tell my students we are studying metaphysics and theology in order to think metaphysically and theologically about life. I intend to do that now in regard to the War in Iraq. If you are uncomfortable with political commentary from a Unity theologian, minister and metaphysician, this would be a good time exit and return to surfing the web.

The Democratic congress just missed a opportunity to show leadership and stand up to President Bush's rush to Armageddon. Terrified that they would be branded for voting "against the troops," the congressmen and senators who were elected to end the American involvement in a foreign civil war simply rolled over and essentially gave the President a blank check for the next few months. Now he can continue to alienate the world against America. Now he can send 19-year-old kids from door-to-door looking for "terrorists" he has created by occupying their land. As a retired US Army officer, I am outraged that this President continues to place young soldiers in harm's way and then cries that it will be the fault of his political opponents if they are harmed. He has done what no other President in my memory has ever done--he is shoving the troops ahead of him and taking political cover behind their heroism and willingness to sacrifice for our country. Message: If you oppose George W. Bush, you are placing the troops at risk.

And I blame the Democrats for letting this deadly game continue. They control the purse strings of war, the budget. The British Parliament wrestled with their King for centuries before he yielded to their authority. How did they do it? By virtue of the one area over which they had absolute power: raising and expenditure of tax money.

Congress could have--should have--said to this President: "Not one cent more until you give us an absolute cut-off date to bring the troops home. And don't start whining about hurting the troops--you're the one who sent them over there on bogus intelligence and landed them in the crossfire of a sectarian civil war. You did it--now undo it!"

To return to Dolly Parton's metaphor, when the wind is blowing gale force, the time for sailing under full canvas is past. Trim the sails, ride out the storm, and head for port. Chances are good the storm will blow itself out, not follow you home...

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References:

[1] Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes, online quote source: http://www.quotationspage.com/subjects/evil/ (Accessed 05-22-07)
[2] Edmund Burke, online source: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/e/edmundburk384617.html (Accessed 05-21-07)
[3] JFK Presidential Library website, online source: http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/Archives/Reference+Desk/Dante+Quote.htm (accessed 05-22-07)