Feb
27
2010
War & Peace By Jeff Courter | No comments yet

Afghanistan – The Trials of Tribal Leaders

The news out of Afghanistan has been surprisingly fast and furious in recent weeks, as the NATO offensive in the southern Taliban stronghold of Marjah kicked into high gear. Late last week, as Afghans raised the flag of the new government in the center of town, it seemed that the worst of the fighting was over.

Afghan Soldier and PoppyAnd yet – as Afghanistan history and culture has taught us – claiming “mission accomplished” would be premature, indeed. Instead, it’s smart to think of this as only the beginning. Why?

Getting Up Close and Personal with Afghans
One of the clearest illustrations I’ve ever read came from an Associated Press story last week by Alfred de Montesquiou – a writer who has obviously done his homework on Afghan tribal dynamics:

“U.S. Offensive Yet to Persuade Afghans in Key Town“

The story explains through the eyes of tribal leaders why they have good reason to fear a return of the Taliban. It correctly notes that Afghans don’t necessarily like the Taliban. However, given a choice between the stern Taliban and the corrupt prior Afghan police force, tribal leaders tend to lean toward the Taliban as the lesser of two evils.

Actually, that doesn’t surprise me. Parenting experts often note that humans will accept stern treatment much more easily than unfairness. But unfortunately for Afghans, Taliban sternness is ridiculously oppressive and extreme.

What Have we Won? Time Will Tell…
It seems clear that to win hearts and minds of Marjah’s civilians – and to maintain victory over the Taliban regime – Americans and NATO must remain in the area for a protracted period of time. The goal will need to focus not only on keeping the Taliban out, but also on monitoring Afghan police to ensure that past corrupt behavior does not return.

If justice can be bought-and-sold, and if influence and power go to the highest bidder, then the local Afghans will invite the Taliban back again.

It’s All in the Family
The heart of the issue speaks to the tribal nature of Afghans. The Taliban are not just outlaws –  they are also kinsmen. They belong to clans and tribes – which are important to Afghanistan’s Pashtun people.

In fact, Afghan tribes who perpetually fight amongst themselves have been known to come together specifically for the sake of expelling a common enemy (for example an unwelcomed foreign army). Once the foreigners retreat, the Afghans may well resume their in-fighting.

This is precisely what happened when the Soviets were driven out of Afghanistan. The Taliban eventually seized control, but not without fierce battles. They essentially won a civil war, and have since imposed their will on weaker tribesmen.

The Power of Presence
So today, the antidote must be a continuing military presence by American and NATO forces. How long? As long as it takes – which may drag on for a few years.

However, if we leave too soon, we’ll create a power vacuum – which is likely to attract conflict and bloodshed, if recent Afghan history is any indicator.

Once we retake Taliban strongholds, we can’t allow them to fall back into Taliban hands. The Taliban are in collusion with al Qaeda – and al Qaeda is seeking to destroy as much of the western world as possible. While the financial cost of maintaining a force in Marjah may be high, the cost of leaving prematurely will certainly be higher.

I’m heartened to hear about the progress our troops are making on the frontlines. I hope we find a way to demonstrate a long-term commitment to the welfare of struggling Afghan tribes, who seem to be caught in the middle of forces beyond their control.

Jeff

P.S.  To learn more about my experiences with Pashtun tribal leaders when I was deployed as a trainer in a remote Eastern province of Afghanistan, check out my book, “Afghan Journal: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Read an excerpt and reviews at the “Afghan Journal” site, or buy the book at Amazon.com.

Feb
10
2010
Life & Death, War & Peace By Jeff Courter | Comments turned off

9/11 – New Photos Remind Us What We’ve Lost

A picture is worth a thousand words. Here are three: Chilling. Haunting. Gut-wrenching.

One glance at the newly-released aerial images from 9/11, and there’s no other way to describe the reaction that naturally grips us.

Photo by Det. Greg Semendinger, NYPD, ABC News via AP

Photo by Det. Greg Semendinger, NYPD, ABC News via AP

That day we lost so many innocent lives. And many more lives have followed. In an instant, it changed the course of my life – along with countless others.

It’s strangely fitting that these photos are being released as our military prepares for its biggest battle yet in Afghanistan. Some cynics might suggest it was “planned.” Personally, I don’t care when or why these photos are being made public.

New photos or not – there’s no denying that the trauma of that day has left an indelible wound on the American psyche.

As a tribute to those who perished in the attacks – and to my military brothers and sisters who have subsequently given their lives to protect our country and the freedoms we hold dear – I’m reposting my comments from last fall.

May those who died in 2001 – and in the years following – rest in peace. We will not forget.

Jeff

(”Remembering 9/11 – From – 9/11/09)

In his recent article at Slate.com, world affairs pundit Christopher Hitchens suggests that we’d be wise not to forget why the U.S. is in a long war against Islamic terrorism…

“…we don’t have the right to forget why we are in Afghanistan and Iraq in the first place: to make up for past crimes of both omission and commission and to help safeguard emergent systems of self-government that have the same deadly enemies as we do and to which, not quite incidentally, we gave our word.”

September 11, 2009 is at hand – the anniversary of one of the most devastating attacks ever on American soil. But, according to media reports, it seems we’re losing track of the fact that 3000 innocent American lives were lost when hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers – as well as the Pentagon, and a remote field in Pennsylvania.

In wars past, a massacre often became a rallying cry for Americans:

“Remember the Alamo!”, “Remember Pearl Harbor!”, “Remember the Maine!” (the battleship attacked in a Cuban harbor at the start of the Spanish-American War).

I propose a rallying cry for the ongoing war against terrorism:

“Remember New York!”

I’m sure I’m not the first or only one to propose such a motto. But lately, it seems we need it more than ever. With economic woes overshadowing “interest” in Afghanistan, Americans seem to be forgetting we’re still locked in mortal combat against an ideology that wishes to destroy us. Every one of us. For them, it’s only a matter of time.

So where does that leave us on 9/11? Are we really so collectively short-sighted that we don’t remember New York City?

I served in Afghanistan in 2007. There were HMMWVs with New York City skylines etched on their turrets, emblazened with the words, “Never Forget” or “I Love NY.”

Today, public sentiment seems to be decidedly against such a remembrance. To me, this is sad. It means 3000 Americans died for absolutely nothing.

They didn’t die for peace – for we are far from peace with the Islamic radicals who still spread fear and oppression to many in places like Afghanistan, the Sudan, Chad, Pakistan and many other Muslim countries. (Bear in mind that al Qaeda and the Taliban have killed more Muslims than non-Muslims in the name of their terrible jihad. The Quran absolutely repudiates this as immoral.)

They didn’t die for tolerance – for al Qaeda is no more tolerant today than they were in 2001.

They didn’t die for progress – for the Taliban have undermined whatever progress we’ve fought to bring to the many Afghans who can’t read, have no schools, no medical care, and no hope for a better life in their impoverished country.

What are we to say to the souls of those Americans who died simply because they had to go to work?

Shall we tell them we don’t care about Afghans or anyone who doesn’t happen to be American? Shall we tell them that freedom only counts when it’s our own freedom – the freedom to be apathetic?

Or shall we tell them we’ve forgotten about them? Their families will never forget. And neither should we.

Make no mistake – radical Muslims will continue to spread hatred against whatever they don’t control. Their ideology won’t stop, merely because we wish it to go away. It will not stop by simple diplomacy – this has been tried. You cannot hold rational discussions with irrational megalomaniacs. We could not talk rationally with Hitler, and we should not expect to be able to do so with Osama bin Laden or his followers.

Yes, I said it – I compared bin Laden with Adolph Hitler, the genocidal maniac of Nazi Germany. Like Hitler’s followers, bin Laden’s followers execute anyone who dares to stand up to them. The Taliban, bin Laden’s partners in evil, likewise terrorize Afghanistan in the name of what should be a holy religion. It’s the darkest form of evil imaginable – to kill, oppress and terrorize in the name of God.

Trust me, the terrorists will continue to celebrate September 11, 2001 as a great victory.

They will not forget. And neither should we.

Jeff

(For more insights about terrorism, Afghanistan or my story as a soldier, check out my book, “Afghan Journal: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Learn more at the Afghan Journal website. Or order it at Amazon.com.)

Jan
17
2010
Everyday Living, Life & Death, Spirituality & Science By Jeff Courter | 1 comment

Haiti – Shock, Awe & Burning Questions

Haiti.earthquake.mother.child.afp.giAs first responders and U.S. military relief arrive in Haiti, the implications of last week’s earthquake are just starting to sink in.

The geological magnitude of this event is overwhelming enough. But it’s so much more than that. It’s also a horribly harsh reminder that human life is fragile and fleeting. That’s a lesson we all seem hardwired to ignore – until moments like these literally shake us to our core.

It’s stunning to see how, in the blink of an eye, the earth can so randomly shatter even the most humble infrastructure. And it’s overwhelming to imagine the human toll:

  • First with lives lost in the rubble,
  • Then among those struggling to overcome injury,
  • And finally, among those who will not be able to escape disease.

As with other disasters, this will no doubt send psychological and spiritual shock waves throughout the world for a long time to come. And the primary question people will ask is, “Why?”

God – What Kind of Wakeup Call Is This?
At moments like this, it’s natural to look to a higher power – for strength, for comfort, for answers. And yet at times like this, rhetorical questions seem far more prevalent than answers. Even among believers.

Pat Robertson? Not a Clue
The dust hasn’t even settled. So who can explain why someone like Pat Robertson would claim that Haitians deserve to suffer, as a result of making a “pact with the devil”? Worse yet, who can explain why broadcast media would bother giving airtime to such an unhelpful message? I’m horrified to think that this judgmental rant distracted us all from what matters most right now. Worse, it supplied ammo to those who enjoy portraying Christians as self-righteous pinheads.

So Then, What Does it Mean?
None of us can possibly know why things like this happen. But there’s one thing we DO know for sure. Disasters are part of the human condition. They have been throughout recorded history. They apparently go with the territory.

Sometimes those disasters are natural – as with Haiti. Sometimes they’re man-made – as with the war in Afghanistan. Regardless, they force us to face a disturbing fact. When disasters strike the poorest and most vulnerable people on our planet, the devastation is far more profound.

Think about it. The poorest victims are always hurt most deeply. On one hand, those of us in developed nations have more to lose. On the other hand, our relative wealth affords us a far more resilient “buffer.”

Meanwhile, even in the best of times, some people barely subsist. So, when circumstances beyond their control yank their already threadbare rugs from beneath them, the poor and the weak fall into the abyss far more easily.

Why Haiti?
Perhaps the best question isn’t “Why Haiti” at all. Perhaps a more appropriate question is this:

Why haven’t those of us in “developed” nations paid better attention to Haiti until now? Why does it take an earthquake of epic proportions for us to notice their need? And in Afghanistan, why does it take a war that costs dearly in U.S. troops and treasure for us to look in that direction?

Truly – how many of us even knew where Afghanistan or Haiti were until the U.S. could no longer look away? Even today, how many of us know even basic facts about the geography or culture of these nations?

Prayers Help – But What Else Can we Do?
Especially for those of us who believe in God – do you wonder if perhaps He’s trying to send us a message? Maybe He wants to remind us that we have a responsibility – not just for ourselves, but also for the welfare of those who are less fortunate. After all, we aren’t that far removed from one another.

We all look up at the same sky. We all want a safe place to lay our heads at night. We all wish that our children will grow up healthy and strong. We all share the same planet.

The poorest inhabitants of Haiti and Afghanistan didn’t ask for the added burden of natural or manmade disasters. So let’s not leave them to sort it out in isolation.

Early relief efforts seem to be making a small dent in the chaos following Haiti’s quake. Perhaps if we dig just a little bit deeper as we send donations to aid organizations (see list below), we can help improve their odds?

Perhaps, bit-by-bit, assistance can make a constructive impact. And perhaps we can move beyond “why” – and instead focus on “what next”?

Jeff

Here’s a “short list” of world-class relief organizations that would benefit from support. All are top-rated by charity watchdogs. I encourage you to share what you’re able. As I’ve seen first-hand in Afghanistan, even the smallest donation can make a big difference.

A more comprehensive list of relief resources is at CNN.

And to be sure your contributions go where you intend, check out CharityWatch’s list of most efficient non-profit organizations.

Jan
14
2010
Spirituality & Science, War & Peace By Jeff Courter | 1 comment

1984 Redux – Lessons for Terrorists

George Orwell lived in a day of colossal empires, struggling over competing views of how to run the world. (Sound familiar?) In one of his great works, “1984,” he coined the propaganda phrase, “War Is Peace.”

“War is Peace” – More Than a Motto
Orwell cynically suggested that war is a constant, and will always be part of the human political equation. He implied that members of the intelligentsia – the political leaders who made policy decisions – were smarter than ordinary citizens. In fact, he concluded that “Big Brother” was best equipped to dictate everyone’s actions. While he wrote this book with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, there are people who believe that 1984’s fierce Machiavellian philosophy is right.
1984 War is Peace Big Brother
However, those believers aren’t here in America. They’re in Afghanistan, Iran and other areas of the Middle East, among extreme, autocratic regimes – most notably the Taliban and al Qaeda. These self-proclaimed “leaders” believe they know better than other Muslims (as well as non-Muslim infidels) how all of humanity should live. And they’re committed to ongoing jihad against anyone who dares to disagree with them. (”War is Peace?”)

This strong-arm approach might be OK for humans who’ve never tasted freedom and liberty. But for those of us accustomed to making decisions for ourselves, it seems horribly backward. Well, that’s because it is!

“Big Brother” Strategy – A Fatal Flaw
It’s backward not just because it sounds “wrong” to Western minds. More importantly, it’s backward because history isn’t a vicious “rinse-and-repeat” cycle, grinding around and around with different players acting out the same script. Instead, over time mankind moves forward – albeit with missteps and tangents along the way. Nevertheless, society “learns” from its mistakes and victories, and ultimately things improve. We make progress.

How Does the World Work? Two Views
Let’s examine two contrasting worldviews – the Hindu unending circle versus the modern scientific idea of evolution.

For Hindus, life is a perpetual repetition of what has already occurred in the world, and is destined to repeat itself in the future. One regime topples another, but the game remains the same. The cycle of life, death and rebirth continues unendingly. It looks the same because it IS the same – only with slight variations. Life is static until eventually we may reach Nirvana – or ultimate enlightenment. (Ironically, part of being enlightened is the realization that life’s cycles ARE all the same.)

On the other hand, there’s evolution. Modern science sees history through this lens – suggesting that life moves forward in space and time, with continuous improvement as the norm. Plants, animals and humankind are always better today than we were yesterday. It’s not just about biology, but also about society. For example, lives in Western civilization have clearly improved over the past millennium. The world is moving away from human slavery, indiscriminate torture and other social ills that once were accepted.

The Taliban Link
What does this have to do with terrorism in the Middle East? Everything. Cultures clash because they view the world from different lenses. For my part, I believe progress is inevitable. Although too often it seems imperceptibly slow – especially to naturally impatient humans.

Recently, The New York Times asked me to share my thoughts on the War in Afghanistan. I said I believe the Taliban are doomed because they stand on the wrong side of history. Let me expand on that now…

I don’t mean that the Taliban will simply stop terrorizing poor Afghans or killing NATO troops. That would be too much to hope for! (However, if any Taliban get a chance to read this, I hope you’ll put it to the test. Americans can be surprisingly forgiving!).

Afghanistan’s Choice
What I DO mean is this. Inevitably, Afghans will choose freedom rather than ongoing oppression. So eventually, the Taliban will lose. Some day, extreme, intolerant Islamic fundamentalism will be as popular as Nazism – because both depend on coercion and cruel tyranny to survive.

I also believe the Taliban will be defeated – whether NATO remains there or not.

I have no way to prove this hypothesis today. I simply believe it out of faith. I have faith because I believe in intelligence and virtue. And history shows that these human attributes tend to triumph over oppression.

When will it be Over?
Of course, I’m not naive enough to believe it will happen soon. It took more than 50 years to bring down the Berlin Wall. During that time, many Czechoslovakians, Germans, Poles and others died trying to throw off the yoke of the Soviet Union. They didn’t live to see the fruits of their labors, but communism eventually imploded of its own weight. I expect that one day North Korea will see a similar regime change, too – because an oppressive government cannot oppress its citizens indefinitely.

George Orwell wrote “1984” in 1948 – predicting a planet ruled by “Big Brother.” Fortunately for the world, his work of fiction remains a work of fiction. And for those who see oppression as a legitimate means to harness unyielding power, I suggest this: Change will come – and no one can stop it.

For those of us committed to tolerance and progress, this is good news.

Jeff

(To learn about how U.S. troops are providing humanitarian aid and protection to the oppressed people of Afghanistan, I invite you to read my book, “AFGHAN JOURNAL: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Read an excerpt and reviews at the Afghan Journal website. Or order it at Amazon.com.)

Jan
1
2010
Celebrating Life, Everyday Living By Jeff Courter | 1 comment

The Promise of 2010 – Is Enough Finally ENOUGH?

We’ve all heard this definition by Einstein:

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again,
and expecting different results.

So, as another year ends, and a new decade begins, what should we expect? And how should we act if we expect different results?

What Next?
Seems like only yesterday, the 1990’s ended with the massive Y2K threat. I was in the telecommunications industry at the time. We worried incessantly about surviving possible computer crashes, power grid meltdowns, internet malfunctions and such. Yet, somehow, we made it through. Then 9/11/2001 presented a new, more real and much more deadly enemy that continues to thwart us. And more recently, we’ve been hit by the profound global economic downturn. It seems that the last decade has been defined by one prolonged crisis after another.

Garage Sale ImageNow, as 2010 begins, it seems fitting to consider what we can do to improve the quality of our lives, no matter what happens on the world stage. I clearly can’t solve society’s crises. But I do think there’s a way to minimize the personal crises that tend to consume many Americans.

It’s all about one word – simplify.

Lessons From Mickey Mouse
I remember reading a children’s book about Mickey Mouse and his small boat. Mickey enjoyed fishing in the little boat with his dog, Pluto – but friends wanted to come along. So Mickey bought a bigger boat. More friends wanted to join, so Mickey replaced it with an even bigger boat. Eventually, Mickey’s boat had become a yacht, and Mickey was unhappy, because he missed fishing with his pal Pluto. By the end of the book, Mickey had sold the yacht, and was back to his original small boat – happy again.

We’re learning the hard way a lesson that Mickey has been teaching us all along. It’s time to stop the madness – not just in our lives, but in our minds and hearts. We need to know when we have enough.

Less Really Can be More
Why has our country run amok? Why do our lives seem out of control? Why do businesses invest in more technology, but struggle to squeeze-out more productivity? And at home, why do we buy more “convenience” foods and products, but still seem to have less leisure time? Why has caffeine become the latest recreational drug of choice?

Moreover, why does a drop in personal and collective income feel so painful to Americans? Why aren’t we content with what we have?

Put simply, we’ve been hoodwinked. We’ve been led to believe that more stuff equals more happiness. Even bumper stickers declare that “whoever dies with the most toys wins.”

So of course it hasn’t been pretty to accept the realities of a recession. Suddenly, many of us have been forced to live on a financial “diet.” Diets are painful by definition. But if our focus is to merely “stop spending,” we’re doomed to failure – as many dieters often are. It’s the lifestyle equivalent to living like a dry drunk.

We need to act differently. But perhaps we also need to expect something different.

Therefore, I challenge you to think of the word “simplify” as more than an act. Think of it as a gift, a blessing, a promise – a dream you can make true each day. By embracing the word “simplify” as a mantra, I believe it can reverse our fortunes in the next year – and beyond.

Nice theory, perhaps. But how do we get started?

Get the Good Stuff by Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone
Our problems start right inside our own homes. Think about it. We don’t own the stuff inside. It owns us.

Consider the consequences of stuff. Everything we own must be put somewhere, so we pay for storage (a house, bigger house, a garage, a bigger garage, a unit at a storage facility). Everything we own must be maintained (oil changes for the car, dry cleaning for clothes, insurance for jewelry, paint for the house…more paint for a bigger house…you get the picture.)

Ironically, nothing we own will satisfy us for long. New cars get old, new clothes go out of style, new houses need repairs. In short, we pay dearly for every item we posses – first in hours spent researching and buying the things we think will make us happy, then in hours spent caring for those things – not to mention the hours spent earning funds to pay for it all.

Besides – if we’re honest, most of us must acknowledge that our spending habits are driven by a desire to “look good” or “feel better.” That means we aren’t really in control. But if buying stuff didn’t make us “look good” or “feel better” in the past, why should we expect that even more stuff will do the trick now? Don’t forget the definition of insanity…

Walking the Walk
I have some simplification goals for myself this year: I intend to give away anything I don’t need. Someone else may actually benefit from using something I wouldn’t touch. And as a by-product, I’ll benefit from reducing the clutter in my life.

Also, I’m going to avoid any desire to buy a bigger house. Instead, I’ll aspire to live in a smaller house – one that owns me less than my current home! What purpose does it serve if I’m a slave to my house?

What would happen if all of us did this? I don’t know – but it’d be interesting to find out.

Certainly, the demand for many luxury products would decrease. And if everyone bought less stuff overall, retailers and manufacturers would feel the impact. However, in time, business investment would shift toward other goals rather than ever-increasing consumption. Eventually, markets would stabilize at a different level. Perhaps work would no longer be the center of American lives. And perhaps more of us would spend time at home with family – focused on relationships rather than shopping and spending. Would that be such a bad thing?

Simple? Or Just Simple-Minded?
My little “keep it simple” scheme must pale in the shadow of large-scale threats such as terrorism, global warming, the recession – or other challenges that will no doubt emerge in future years.

Yes, I realize “cleaning house” won’t solve all of the world’s problems. But with all the collective challenges we face, the last one we need is a personal addiction to material goods.

Big change starts with doing what little we can, individually. I can’t tackle global warming or single-handedly defeat al Qaeda any more than I can fly solo to Mars. But I can take responsibility for reducing the stuff that complicates my life. By taking this first step, hopefully I’ll encourage others to follow. But even if they don’t, I will have redeemed time, money and psychic energy to invest in things that matter more.

By putting our stuff in its proper place, we put ourselves in control. We become the masters, not the slaves. We control our destiny by saying, “I have everything I need. I have ENOUGH!”

So I look forward to a New Year where I focus on loving people and using things – rather than other way around. And I wish the same for you. Let’s see what sort of change can come from a tiny revolution.

It’s time to clean house.

Happy New Year – and may you always be blessed with ENOUGH!

Jeff

Dec
29
2009
Celebrating Life, Everyday Living, Spirituality & Science By Jeff Courter | Comments turned off

A Very Muslim Christmas – Why Not?

Is it me, or are people unusually eager to move on from Christmas this year? When I went for a walk on Christmas night, I passed several homes that already had tossed their tree to the curb!

Sure, the economy has been rough. But to me, that’s a reason to keep the good times rolling as long as possible. It couldn’t hurt. As a Christian, this season brings me great joy – so I’m sad to see it go so quickly.
islam_xmas
Jesus – Finding Common Ground
Of course, many other religions don’t believe in Jesus as the Son of God. And many don’t celebrate Jesus’ birth. But why not Muslims? Ironically, Christians and Muslims share more in common on the subject of Jesus than it may seem!

Compare the New Testament and the Quran, and you’ll see that both religions believe Jesus was:

  • Born of the virgin Mary
  • Conceived through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus – Understanding the Differences
Of course, on the other hand, Christians and Muslims disagree about who Jesus was, and what his life means for us, spiritually. But that shouldn’t mean Muslims can’t join us in celebrating Christmas.

Christians believe Jesus was God made manifest in human form – God the Son. To the Muslim, this makes Christians guilty of “shirk” – the blasphemy of associating a man (Jesus) with God. This isn’t a small difference, theologically, because it speaks to the heart of both religions.

The radical monotheism of Islam requires that no one is divine but God – Allah (”The God” in Arabic). In contrast, the Christian concept of the Trinity (Father – Son – Holy Spirit), doesn’t allow for Jesus to be a mere mortal. So both religions view the other as incorrect, wrong, misled, misguided, or heretical. It seems there’s no common ground here.

Defining Holidays
Muslims celebrate holidays identified by the Quran – Ramadan, the Hajj, and the respective Eids (or feasts) for these holidays. Since the Quran doesn’t classify Jesus’ birthday among its celebrations, Muslims don’t acknowledge it. But that doesn’t mean they couldn’t, or shouldn’t. After all, if Muslims see Jesus as a prophet (which they do), why not celebrate his birthday?

I’m not saying Muslims should necessarily decorate Christmas trees and splurge on too many gifts, as many Christians do. But perhaps a birthday cake and a few presents might be nice – especially in parts of the world where Christians celebrate the holiday.

Obviously, here in America, we’ve moved away from the original intent of Christmas. Initially, it was known as “Christ’s Mass” – the church celebration commemorating Christ’s birth. Now, millions of Americans who don’t believe in Jesus’ divinity – or even attend church – feel perfectly comfortable celebrating the holiday. To these Americans, it’s a season focused on peace, love and joy – an opportunity to exchange gifts with family and friends – and a time to sense beauty, magic and wonder around us.

The Spirit of Christmas – Free for All
As a Christian, I don’t begrudge non-Christians these blessings of the season. I’m actually glad my religion has given others something to celebrate. There are plenty of Christians out there bemoaning how Christmas has become less definitively “Christian.” However, I’m not one of them.

I am happy to share the holiday with anyone who wishes to celebrate it with me – in a spirit of true love and fellowship. And so I offer those Muslims who may want to celebrate Christmas my warmest wishes for the blessings of this season.

Throughout the coming year, may we focus more on the common ground we share than the differences that may divide us. And may we find more peace on earth and good will towards all!

Jeff

(To discover what the holidays were like for me while I was serving in the muslim country of Afghanistan, I invite you to read my book, “AFGHAN JOURNAL: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Learn more at the Afghan Journal website. Or order it at Amazon.com.)

Dec
25
2009
Celebrating Life, Spirituality & Science By Jeff Courter | Comments turned off

The Gift of Christmas – Way Beyond a Birthday

This week, Christians are celebrating one of three annual “holy days” (origin of the term “holidays”). Good Friday and Easter are the other two holy days – but since this is the Christmas season, let’s examine its meaning and importance.

NativityI write from a different perspective than most laymen. I spent a year in seminary. I’ve developed an adult Sunday School curriculum. Throughout my life, I’ve studied the history of the Christian Church and major world religions. I’m also an avid student of physics, biology and medicine – and I believe modern advances in technology demonstrate that we live in an era of scientific miracles.

I understand Christian theology, and realize that most modern theologians don’t interpret the Bible literally. Despite what some Christians may believe, I think it’s valid to view the Old and New Testaments in a figurative (rather than literal) light. However, I’ll save that discussion for another day. Instead, I’d rather focus on the significance of God’s Christmas “gift” to mankind.

What Sets Christians Apart? One word: Incarnation
To appreciate the true meaning of Christmas, it’s important to understand a Christian theological concept called the doctrine of Incarnation. This holds that God became part of His* creation, through the life of Jesus Christ. The New Testament establishes Jesus uniquely as the son of God – born of a woman, in human flesh, just like us. The idea that God could or would bother to become part of His creation is extraordinary. It’s unique among major religions of the world, and it offers a different understanding of God, His creation, and His plan for that creation.

Both Judaism and Islam reject Jesus Christ’s divinity. In their monotheistic view, this violates the “Oneness” principle of God. So the question is this: How can God be one and yet divided? Of course, we can’t answer this question logically. It’s mathematically impossible. Christians simply accept Jesus’ divine nature by faith, not logic.

Defining the Divine
However, Christians aren’t the only believers who embrace the “divine” nature of creation. Both Buddhists and Hindus agree that God (the Ultimate Reality) exists in all nature, including human beings. Hindus even have a term for humans as manifestations of the divine – avatars. For example, Hindus consider Krishna an avatar – a divine human who was also an incarnation of Brahma.

So the concept of incarnation isn’t unique to Christianity. But Christianity rejects the pantheism of Eastern religions, while embracing the radical monotheism of its Jewish heritage.

Let’s put that in modern theological terms. Christians, Jews and Muslims all view God (or Allah) as the Creator – completely separate from His creation. Borrowing a term from the Swiss theologian Karl Barth, humans are completely “other.” Stated differently, God is so far removed from unworthy human sinners that He can’t be associated with us in any way. In fact, Muslims use a special term, “shirk,” to associate anything worldly with God. Similarly, many modern Jews consider God’s name to be so holy they spell it “G-d” to avoid making Him seem less sacred.

Yet, to the Christian, this “other” God also is part of flawed humanity.

Why Incarnation Matters
So what? This may be an interesting way to compare and contrast world religions, but does it make a difference in our daily lives?

In short – yes. Here’s how. It means that the God of all goodness – proclaimed by both the Old Testament and the Quran as the Source of kindness, beneficence and holiness – has joined His own creation. He is fused with it, so-to-speak. Creation isn’t merely something God “made.” It isn’t solely a stage where angels work. Rather, through Christ Jesus, it is in union with God Himself.

A Godly Call to Action
This is the genius behind the doctrine of Incarnation. It changes our perception of our fellow human beings. But in what way?

Because, if God cared so much for mankind, how can we take other human beings for granted? If God was born of a woman, we must care about women. If God became a child, we must care for children. If God learned from His earthly parents, we must care about parents and education. If God suffered oppression, sickness, ultimately death, we must care about the oppressed, the sick and the dying. In short, if God was willing to live in our world, we must be willing to care for that world.

So, whether or not you interpret the Incarnation literally, the doctrine is critically important. Why? It elevates the status of everything in God’s creation! We humans become holy, because a holy God became one of us.

Incarnation Speaks to Non-Christians, Too
Is it possible to reconcile this understanding of God with the monotheistic beliefs of Jews or Muslims – or with the pantheism of Buddhists or Hindus? Here’s my reply:

Whether or not we believe Jesus was divine, we can agree that Jesus came to earth and lived, and that his life was a God’s gift to mankind. At minimum, it was example for us all. And as a divine gift, Jesus became some part of God in our world. Therefore he brought something of God to us – just as other messengers of God have done. In this way, we may see something of God incarnate in the world, because it demonstrates God’s love for us.

What does this say about how we should live?

Love – Incarnation’s Simple Lesson
Bottom line – if God loves each of us as His creation, we should love one another. This was the message Jesus preached as he matured and began his ministry. “Whatever you would have someone do to you, do to them.” He put this in practical terms: “For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me drink, I was naked, and you clothed me…”

This, to me, is the essence of why God sent Jesus to us. As the Gospel of John puts it, “For God loved the world so much that he gave His only son…”

And this is where all religions converge – God is love. When we act out of love, we are doing what God would have us do.

Christmas is that time when Christians celebrate the doctrine of the Incarnation – when God gave the world Jesus, and enabled us to receive part of God Himself. It is, in essence, the holy day that celebrates the birth of God’s love in our worldly lives.

So, whatever your religious background or beliefs, I wish you and those close to you a season filled with great wonder and much love.

Merry Christmas!

Jeff

(*Note: I use the masculine term for God because the English language has no gender-neutral term. Some readers may take exception to my use of “He” or “Him” or “His” when referring to God; I ask your indulgence and perhaps forgiveness. Obviously, God is bigger than gender, but we’re limited in our language!)

Dec
23
2009
Spirituality & Science, War & Peace By Jeff Courter | Comments turned off

Nobel Theology – The Afghan Imperative

(Part 2 of 2)

In my first post on this topic (Nobel Theology – Pursuing Peace in a Time of War), I began to explore the religious underpinnings beneath President Obama’s “just war” theory. Now I’d like to dig a bit deeper to examine how the emerging “Obama Doctrine” supports continued military action in Afghanistan.

bc_good_evil_detail
The Roots of Christian Realism
As mentioned previously, the Lutheran theologian, Reinhold Niebuhr is considered a “Christian realist” because he advocates a “just” use of violent force. The “realism” is derived from his premise that human evil exists, and that people and governments must understand and deal with this fact.

In this regard, Niebuhr agrees with a long line of Christian theologians, including St. Augustine and St. Paul, who see human nature as somehow “fallen” and corrupted. Fundamentally, instead of wanting to love and serve God and neighbor, we tend to prefer serving ourselves and using others. At its extreme, this theory replaces God with Self – we become the center of our own universe, and fall into the same trap as the Bible’s Lucifer (later known as Satan).

A Constitutional Connection
Long story short – Niebuhr’s understanding of human nature corresponds with James Madison, who helped draft the U.S. Constitution. Madison believed that, because every human being is primarily motivated by self-interest (rather than naturally putting the interests of others first, as St. Paul urges Christians to do), only competing self-interests can limit government’s power.

Competing self-interests tend to keep any particular person or organization from accumulating power – thus minimizing its ability to do harm or evil. If we view individuals as inherently selfish, then government (which exists to protect us from the selfish actions of others) must also be limited, to avoid wide-spread abuses.

Obama applies this concept to a larger stage – urging the United Nations to play an active role in keeping peace. This would create global checks-and-balances, similar to the core concepts beneath our democracy. Again, this framework is derived from the premise that humans being flawed and weak – susceptible to abuses of power and privilege.

Getting Real While Getting Beyond Evil
If human history proved this theory to be 100% accurate, we’d all have cause to be cynical. However, there are exceptions to this rule. It seems humanity has progressed in terms of how we treat each other, and allow our fellow humans to be treated.

Mr. Obama noted this. And to me, it’s what makes his speech inspiring. This is what moves the “Obama Doctrine” from simple Christian realism to a more enlightened realism. As he said, “…we do not have to think that human nature is perfect for us to still believe that the human condition can be perfected. We do not have to live in an idealized world to still reach for those ideals that will make it a better place.”

War = Progress?
While we see in human history that war always causes suffering, and innocent people often die, ironically, war also has the capacity to advance human rights. The American Revolution gave birth to the separation of church and state as a “best practice” in governance. Before this, religious tolerance was almost non-existent. Only a century earlier, Oliver Cromwell ruled England as a virtual theocrat, and the Pope routinely interfered in affairs of state throughout Europe.

Leo Tolstoy seemed to recognize the function of war in advancing human progress. His magnum opus, “War and Peace,” outlines his philosophical understanding that fate or destiny always marches humanity forward – toward some greater end – even during or after times of war. In Tolstoy’s view, progress is both positive and inevitable.

I applaud President Obama’s search to use military might and power to defend what is right against evil. Because, while believe there will always be evil in the world, I also believe we have progressed – and will continue to progress – toward a better world for ourselves and others.

And, as a soldier who has seen up close the need for Afghans to find a better quality of life, I believe it is our moral responsibility to help them move toward this goal.

As our President aptly said in accepting the prize for advancing world peace, “Let us reach for the world that ought to be – that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls.”

Amen
Jeff

(To discover what it’s like for U.S. troops who are helping Afghan people achieve peace for their country, I invite you to read my book, “AFGHAN JOURNAL: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Learn more at the Afghan Journal website. Or order it at Amazon.com.)

Dec
17
2009
Spirituality & Science, War & Peace By Jeff Courter | Comments turned off

Nobel Theology – Pursuing Peace in a Time of War

(Part 1 of 2)

From my perspective, Barack Obama’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech was masterful. He confounded his critics and exasperated the Nobel Institute, which clearly prefers that recipients focus exclusively on peace. And while Mr. Obama certainly spoke of peace, he actually delivered an apology for war.

(If you haven’t heard or read the speech, I recommend you review the full text)

Nobel Prize MedalIdeas Rooted in Religion
Not surprisingly, ever since Mr. Obama’s Oslo appearance, analysts have been dissecting his message. Some perceive a striking alignment with Reinhold Niebuhr – a Lutheran theologian and advocate of America’s involvement in World War II. Prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Niebuhr wrote to President Franklin Roosevelt, urging the U.S. to join Allied forces in defeating Nazism.

The most obvious Obama/Niebuhr parallel recognizes that the human condition is inherently tainted by evil – and suggests that violence is “sometimes necessary” to contain this evil. Some call this perspective “Christian realism.” It stems from Christian theology that dates back to the earliest New Testament writings by St. Peter and St. Paul, which suggest that the Roman government existed to punish those who committed evil deeds. Peter and Paul urged Christians to maintain peace with others by obeying Roman law, practicing righteousness and remaining blameless.

Unfortunately, despite good behavior by Christians, Roman emperors such as Nero eventually felt threatened by this new religion, and violently repressed it. Persecution and martyrdom followed. As a result, Christians became among the first to practice non-violent opposition in response to oppressive rulers.

Soul-Searching Questions
Naturally, Mr. Obama’s speech leads us to ask key questions: Was Reinhold Niebuhr right? Are we inherently evil? And if so, is force necessary to contain it?

To answer these questions, Mr. Obama appealed to human history – including the era of Nazi aggression. While he seems to be dovetailing with Niebuhr’s worldview, he could just as easily be inspired by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran pastor whom the Nazis executed for treason. Bonhoeffer was part of a German group that tried to assassinate Adolph Hitler – believing it was necessary to prevent further evil. He justified this plot by saying, “There is no way to peace along the way to safety. For peace must be dared. It is the great venture.”

Good, Evil & Real-World Policy
As a political leader, Mr. Obama correctly notes that he doesn’t deal with abstract theory when he defines policies. Rather, he must deal with the world “as it is.” However, that forces the same question theologians have asked for thousands of years: Is violence evil when it’s used to fight a commonly recognized evil?

To find insight, let’s turn back the page once more to St. Peter and St. Paul. Both urged Christians not to resist Roman persecution. In fact, they encouraged believers to “overcome evil with good.”

However, the apostles weren’t striving to save the Church from its demise. They believed in Jesus’ imminent return to earth, which would initiate a new Kingdom of God. They weren’t concerned with life or death, because they believed God would defeat all evil in the world and create a whole new world order. Since they saw this world as temporary, even martyrdom was considered a “momentary light affliction,” unworthy of comparison with the glory of God’s Kingdom.

But so what? While these moral prescriptions are essential to Christians, they’re of limited value to those in political power. However, in Mr. Obama’s view, the philosophical tension between good and evil seems worthy of closer inspection.

So, what other connective tissue fundamentally links the emerging “Obama Doctrine” with historical theology? And how does it justify continued military action in Afghanistan? I examine this further in my next post (Nobel Theology – The Afghan Imperative).

Jeff

(To discover what it’s like for U.S. troops to offer protection and aid to desperately poor, oppressed Afghan people, I invite you to read my book, “AFGHAN JOURNAL: A Soldier’s Year in Afghanistan.” Learn more at the Afghan Journal website. Or order it at Amazon.com.)

Dec
10
2009
Celebrating Life, Everyday Living, Spirituality & Science By Jeff Courter | 1 comment

Hubble’s Heavenly Countdown to Christmas

The countdown has begun! This time of year, it’s easy to get caught-up in shopping, parties and a flurry of other activities. But for those of us who mark the days before Christmas as an opportunity to prepare our hearts for rebirth, Advent Calendars capture all the excitement of the season.

Here’s a visual timeline that’s truly awe-inspiring – thanks to stunning photos from the Hubble Space Telescope and The Boston Globe: http://bit.ly/7emDId.

Reminds me of this well-known Bible quote:

The heavens declare the glory of God – the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowldege. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

- Psalm 19:1-4Hubble Space Telescope - Advent Calendar 09

Just imagine – the Creator breathed life into this over 13 billion years ago, so we could finally see it millennia later…

I hope your preparations during this holy season include many moments filled with wonder and joy!

Jeff

← Older Posts