SENTINEL WATCH January 18, 2010 ISSUE

PROTECTION FROM NUCLEAR THREATS

ROGER WHITEWAY

FORTUNATELY, OUR COUNTRY never had to use nuclear weapons during the Cold War of the 1970s, but being up close with nuclear weapons as a US Navy carrier attack pilot gave me an appreciation for the responsibility that goes with running any nuclear program—energy or weapons.

The International Atomic Energy Agency's report of its first visit to a previously secret Iranian nuclear enrichment facility details a plant in the advanced stages of construction. According to a November 17, 2009, report on National Public Radio's Morning Edition, Iran plans to install about 3,000 centrifuges at this new facility, purportedly for peaceful purposes.

As regional and world powers use diplomacy to convince Iran not to develop weapons, many are asking what steps we can take as individuals. Must we stand by and watch another nation join the nuclear weapon "club," or can we turn in prayer to know that Iran's leadership will make right decisions that will provide the Iranian people with their energy needs without increasing the probability of another Middle East conflict? Do we need to accept the worldview that nuclear weapons provide a nation with power and prestige that trump science, culture, and peaceful economic growth?

The Bible provides some guidance: "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isa. 30:21 ). From Psalms, we have: "God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God" (62:11 ). And the Apostle Paul reassures us: "In him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28 ).

These statements, among many others, provide the solid footing for any individual who chooses to turn humbly to God for direction, confident that God sends His angel messages not just to us but to everyone, everywhere.

During extemporaneous remarks delivered in a church service on July 4, 1886, Mary Baker Eddy asked: "But what of ourselves, and our times and obligations? Are we duly aware of our own great opportunities and responsibilities?" (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 176 ). This challenge is no less relevant today, especially among those who are encouraged by Mrs. Eddy's example. She consistently relied on daily quiet periods of prayer to deal with personal and organizational challenges.

MAINTAINING THE ABILITY TO LOAD WEAPONS SAFELY REQUIRED CONSTANT WATCHFULNESS.

During the Cold War, I was assigned to a squadron onboard the USS Independence. Our aircraft, the all-weather A6 Intruder, not only carried conventional weapons (bombs and rockets), but was one of three squadrons on board capable of delivering nuclear weapons. In addition to my pilot duties, I served as the nuclear weapons training officer. The Navy had sent me to multiple schools to learn about specific nuclear bombs, nuclear safety, weapons effects, and weapons handling.

The procedures that the US Department of Energy, the Defense Department, and the Navy had developed to ensure that no mistakes were made were exhaustive, spilling across many weekends and late nights. Maintaining the ability to load weapons safely required constant watchfulness, along with peak readiness.

I could see that the exhaustive procedures were a protection for all of us, but having been raised in Christian Science, I leaned on spiritual solutions and prayed before each nuclear training event. At such times I was particularly helped by studying the synonyms for God given in Science and Health, especially Principle (see p. 465).

I reasoned that the laws of God were always at work, guiding me and my loading teams as we worked together harmoniously to do what we had to do. An attribute of Principle is alignment. I could count on this alignment to ensure that there would be no opportunity for friction among team members, missteps, accidents, or conflicts. With one God in control, there is no place for another ego to influence others or ignore key steps. The quiet time spent in prayer in my stateroom prior to going up on deck for the weapon loading events, provided an atmosphere of calm and an air of confidence that was equal to any challenge that arose.

As the Iranian leadership negotiates with the international community, the prayers of individuals around the world can move mountains and dispel the atoms of fear and distrust. Most important, we can know that "... the desire which goes forth hungering after righteousness is blessed of our Father, and it does not return unto us void" (Science and Health, p. 2 ). CSS

About the author

After 26 years of service in the US Navy, Roger Whiteway is now a Christian Science practitioner in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

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