Our peace witness goes back centuries and is built on a solid foundation of following the Prince of Peace, Jesus. But we are always discerning how to apply the words and actions of Jesus to modern situations.
Drone warfare is a recent evolution in technology and one that is often touted as a more humane way to wage war. The argument being that drones can be more precise than other weapons and decrease the number of civilian deaths in combat.
But the reality is, drones are just another way the “powers and principalities” attempt to continue violence and war. Drones are used in secretive ways, with little or no oversight by Congress. The low cost and convenience of drones only serve to mask the destruction they bring, creating a mirage of moral distance between drones and conventional methods of war. Like all other methods of war, drones don’t foster reconciliation and peace among nations. As followers of Jesus, we hold fast to the belief that violence is never God’s will. So how can peacemakers best work to help identify and prevent the proliferation of military drones?
Jan. 23-25, I will attend the Interfaith Conference on Drone Warfare at Princeton Theological Seminary (the closest I’ll ever get to attending an Ivy League school!). Featuring speakers from a variety of faith backgrounds and academic disciplines, the conference is a great way to learn more about the issue. There’s still time to register for this if you are interested. I look forward to gaining valuable information at the conference and then coming back and sharing it with you in a future blog post.
I’m also excited about the Peace and Justice Support Network encouraging, supporting and strengthening Mennonite Church USA congregations who are already addressing drones.
One example is in Pennsylvania, where members of Pilgrims Mennonite Church joined with others in the community to witness at the proposed new weaponized drone command center at the Horsham Air Guard Station in Horsham, Pennsylvania. You can read more about that here.
I’m grateful to be part of this body of peacemakers who continue to apply our faith in the nonviolent way of Jesus to an ever-changing landscape!
How do your churches apply your nonviolent faith to this modern reality?
