Got a little reflection on the role of the state and the individual.
First and foremost, the pastor of my pseudo-parish (not technically, but I go nearly every Sunday) gave a very courageous and thoroughly Christian sermon following the execution of Sadaam. Instead of bemoaning the war in Iraq or offering congratulations on the execution, etc., he reminded us that, even though Sadaam's crimes may have merited the death penalty, we are not to gloat or celebrate over his execution. An execution is a solemn duty carried out by the state as a last recourse when an individual has become an immense and uncontrollable threat to a civilization. It is not an act of vengeance and should not be treated as such by the state or its members. Rather, we should understand the gravity of the action the state is forced to take for our welfare. Also we should pray....
The good Pastor also asked us to pray for the repose of the soul of Sadaam Hussein..........
Let me tell you, to say something like that in front of any large gathering of Americans and say something like that takes strength. This really recalled to me the Christians in Rome praying fervently for the Emperor's conversion and for their persecutors. This is the same prayer uttered by Christ on Calvary: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do..." Rather than judge others and pour honors upon ourselves for taking away God's most precious gift we should pray for that soul and regret the necessity of execution.
He also told us to pray for the victims of Sadaam's crimes, needless to say. However, we still need to recall the tremendous terror someone can wreak on people. This crime stems most centrally from a lack of piety towards the human person especially.
Of course, any self-styled intellectual will tell you that they hold the human person in an extremely high esteem. Of course, this is not a mutual respect but a sick self-centered concept of, not so much respect as self-idolatry. We cease to be responsible since we must first honor ourselves and sacrifice rarely oes it for us so we end up ignoring others in order that our selves may take precedence. It is only through a profound understanding of the dignity of each and every human being that we begin...BEGIN to be ethical and restore order to civilization. You must light a fire before a forest burns down--once we begin to delight in the death, pain, or ostracism of others we are ready to begin causing resentment, inflicting pain and even murdering. Let us then learn to love even those who are the most despicable that they may discover the infinite mercy of the Father.
