Why Can't We See How Blind We Can Be?

we humans can't seem to stop ourselves from trying to impose our will on others.  we seek to control others, to change them into what we think they ought to be.  think of all the wars that have been fought to achieve those ends, of the missionary movement that intended to make "good christians" out of those that were conquered and whose lands were made territories of western powers, of the suffering of those who were enslaved for the enrichment of their owners, of how colonial rulers exploited the people and resources of those who lived under their rule.

the western world, especially the uk, france, spain, belgium, the netherlands, and the usa, has caused suffering to untold millions to enrich itself, and we continue to take from those who have little so that we can have more.  in our churches we used to sing hymns like "onward, christian soldiers" and "we've a story to tell to the nations" with little thought of the cultural implications of their lyrics.  we believed, and many continue to believe, that christianity is superior to all other religions, that it is the only way that we can access God, the only way to "salvation."  

this way of thinking was brought home to me when i listened to a conversation between a friend and a waiter who was taking our lunch order.  this young man was the son of missionaries, and i was surprised when i learned that his parents had served in ireland.  what, i wondered, were christian missionaries doing in ireland, a country that was christianized a thousand years ago and where there are thousands of churches?  i wanted to ask if the irish weren't capable of evangelizing themselves, but i didn't, knowing that such a question would lead to an explanation about how "genuine" christianity was in decline there.  therefore, the irish needed help from americans who knew better than they how to "bring the lost to christ."

if we truly love others, we accept them as they are, rather than working to change them into what we want them to be.  we must let go of the arrogance that believes that "our way" is the best way and learn from the cultures and beliefs of others.  in this country, we are engaged in a struggle between those who would impose their narrow, close-minded philosophy on the rest of us and those who are convinced that the strength of america is in our diversity.  why should english be our national language when it was imported from another country by immigrants who took over the land from those who had lived here for centuries?  why should christianity become our established religion when our country came into being because of the desire to escape religious tyranny?

may we recognize that there is no one "right way."  may we accept others as they are and learn from them.  may we see the value of diversity and the great danger of insistence on homogeneity.  may we live in a country that is truly free, rather than one in which the will of those who believe they have all the answers is imposed on everyone.  may we learn that to love means letting go of the desire to control another.  shalom.