Special Note:This article was featured as the "Pro" for Banning Landmines perspective on the Pro and Con Website, sponsored by Non-line: The Nonprofit Network. Not only is it on Non-line's website but Pro and Con sent it to their 20,000 e-mail subscribers. (October 21, 1997)
I believe that Christians have a responsibility to influence the political sphere of our lives with
integrity. Whatever else, political processes and decisions need to be "correct." Who better to
offer the substance by which decisions are made than the people of biblical faith?
When we live, decide, and converse based on the ways of Jesus, we offer real substance for making humane and compassionate public policy. When we reflect the integrity and accountability represented in Jesus' living and teaching, we inject urgently needed ingredients and characteristics into the public sphere.
For instance, I believe the Christian community must unite to end the use of landmines. Landmines are maiming and destroying innocent victims. Landmines "planted" in times of armed conflict often lie hidden for years, only to spew their lethal eruption onto children at play or farmers at work in their fields.
The United Nations estimates that it would take 1000 mine-clearing personnel more than 30 years to discover and disarm the 6 million mines planted in Bosnia and Croatia. Landmines have been called the perfect soldiers. They require no food, no water, and no sleep--and they always "get their man." However, increasingly, the victims of landmines are children and women.
In Angola, the farmer's difficult daily choice is this: "Do I till the fields to raise my food and thereby risk my life to a landmine, or do I play it safe and go hungry?" There are 9 million landmines in Angola. There are also 9 million people in Angola--many of them maimed or soon to be so.
In such situations, many of the productive fields are left uncultivated. Some have bold signs warning of landmines. Unable to till their fields, many farmers migrate to overcrowded cities to seek work. The cities cope with food shortages for the very reason that brings the farmers there--the agricultural land is filled with mines!
A single mine costs around $3 to plant. However, the cost of "harvesting" it before it hurts and maims is often in excess of $300. Beyond that, the cost to innocent lives cannot be counted.
General Norman Schwarzkopf--commander of Operation Desert Storm--and 12 other retired generals have called for a "permanent and total international ban on the production, stockpiling, sale, and use" of landmines. These generals further state: "We view such a ban as not only humane but also militarily responsible."
Using the processes of politics for the protection of human life is a faithful pursuit for
people who want to embody and express the teaching and witness of Jesus. We must take the
initiative to let our people in Congress know our thinking on this issue--as well as countless
others.
Photo Above: Bishop Dan E. Solomon speaks at the Global Gathering in Kansas City, 1997.
Bishop Dan E. Solomon is the episcopal leader of the Louisiana Area of The United Methodist
Church in the United States. He is also the new President of the General Board of Global
Ministries for 1996-2000.
Reprinted from NEW WORLD OUTLOOK: The Mission Magazine of The United Methodist Church, published by the General Board of Global Ministries, copyright © January-February 1997, by permission of the Editors. Photo of Bishop Solomon by Mike DuBose. All photographs are copyright © The General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church and courtesy, New World Outlook magazine.
This page has been accessed
times since May 1, 1998.
New World Outlook's Landmines Information | Subscribe Today!
