Some Thoughts on Poverty and Terrorism
President Bush left office sounding the alarm that fighting terrorism is the most important issue for incoming President Obama to be concerned with. Many national security experts agree. Militarily confronting the global threat posed by terrorism has proven ineffective and even counter productive. A more effective approach must be developed and it must be one centered in combating poverty because impoverishment is the breeding ground of dangerously extremist ideologies.
Much of the ideological marketing of philosophies that foster terrorism is carried out among people suffering in abject poverty. America is commonly viewed as a greed driven imperialistic nation by many of the impoverished people of Earth. Sadly, history reveals that our international dealings have not always been noble in design. Our nation's history has been punctuated with exploitation, neglect and oppression of the poor. Many view the war in Iraq as the latest example.
Radical Islamic clerics, running hundreds of orphanages along the Pakistan and Afghanistan border, have effectively indoctrinated thousands of orphans with jihad mentality. These desperate children were left in the wake of the war with Russia. Those same orphans could have been rescued by a US led international humanitarian effort but Congress would not allocate the funding. Jihad propagandists would have a much more difficult job selling their ideology if the world's poor became the beneficiaries of a US led global effort to alleviate the hunger, thirst and disease associated with poverty.
Poverty's side effects are most acutely manifested in regions where shortages of clean water and food are most common. The disparity of the circumstances of the less fortunate is amplified by the fact that Earth has enough proven resources and humanity has enough logistical capability to provide food and clean water for every human. This can be done in the short term while offering hopes of self-sufficiency in the long. Prioritization of meeting the most basic needs of humanity and the will to do so is all that is lacking in the undertaking of this task. This Truthout article (http://www.truthout.org/013009M) reveals the manifesting of the opposite tact as relief agencies are forced to cut back mercy rather than expanding it in Zimbabwe.
The following scriptures offer strong theological underpinnings for approaching the global war on terror from a humanitarian perspective. Verse twenty-one is the key… “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12: 17-21 says, "17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
20 On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Gary Vance's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Comments
Poverty and Cultural Divides
Gary, I agree with you that poverty, both worldwide and domestic, should be a top priority. Addressing it domestically will reduce the crime rate and addressing it worldwide will reduce hatred and terrorism.
The other item concerning worldwide terrorism is the cultural divide between East and West and the threat the East feels to their existence, espcially in Islamc countries. In their eyes we are really immoral bastards. When they see our movies, TV shows, and commercials and see women dancing around in bikinis, they draw an opinion of us that is not favorable. We see their cultural norm of making women cover up as a violation of women's rights, they see it as protecing women against male stares and oogiling.In some of these really backward societies they are stoning women for adultery and imprisoning Gays. They see us championing Gay rights and that reinforces the idea that we are immoral.
Poverty is an obvious issue that has to be dealt with, but this cultural divide is a much greater chasm.Religious extremists in the countries that are producing terrorists reinforce these differences to cast us as an immoral people.
When Bush and the boys invaded Iraq, a country that had not attacked us, nor had there been any Iraqis in the 9/11 plot, it just reinforced the idea that we were crazed greedy heathens. Then put Abu Gharib, secret prisons and tortute on top of all that and Al Quieda just got recruiting propaganda beyond their wildest dreams. They are really gonna miss ole' Bushy Boy.
Realistically, I think best case scenario is that it will take a generation to begin to heal the image of America that Bush and his gang has created and the same generation will be needed to cross cultural divides. The one thing working in our favor is that the whole world is talking to each other now via new technology, such as the internet, and that and many other divisions among people are going to begin to be healed.
Reshaping Our Image
Jim,
Jim said, "Poverty is an obvious issue that has to be dealt with, but this cultural divide is a much greater chasm.Religious extremists in the countries that are producing terrorists reinforce these differences to cast us as an immoral people."
You offer some strong points regarding the image that many hold of America in Islamic nations. I agree there is a huge cultural gap that divides us. Muslim extremists have ample justification for painting the US as the "Great Satan" as our excesses are historically profound and documented. However, those who promote that image would have a much more difficult time convincing villagers that "Satan" was digging them a water well, improving their agricultural capabilities, equipping a clinic or providing food staples for their neediest.
America functions as a dichotomy of good and evil...greed and generosity. The degree of this dualistic reality varies from government to government. We now have an opportunity to project a new image to the world. One of justice, mercy and humility. This recasting won't happen over night, but now is a great time to start.
Thanks for your comments!
Gary