Article August 27, 1990 Issue

Eliminating missiles

While governments negotiate and implement arms reductions, a spiritual view shows something substantial and healing we each can contribute. In fact, it's indispensable.

Peter A. Berg

The evening's television news was airing a report about a controversial military missile. There it was, soaring through the clear atmosphere with its shimmering trail of white cutting across a deep blue sky. A moment went by before I awoke from a feeling of exhilaration to the sober realization that this thing did not exist for the purpose of demonstrating the beauty of space flight! Like the rest of its type, it was designed to be aimed at and wreak devastation on a target—something or someone "over there," identified as "enemy."

In a world thirsting for genuine peace, the words of James in the Bible express what so many feel: "My brethren, these things ought not so to be."

How deeply we yearn to rid the earth of instruments of destruction. But how do we really—really—get at the fundamental cause of conflict and weapons of war and genuinely eliminate the fear and animosity that fuel conflict?

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