U.S. must work with other countries for peace

Arthur Vaeni

On the eve of World War I, British theologian Evelyn Underhill wrote: "We are often told that in the critical periods of history it is the national soul which counts: that 'where there is no vision, the people perish.' No nation is truly defeated which retains its spiritual self-possession. No nation is truly victorious which does not emerge with soul unstained."

I would add a corollary to the adage "where there is no vision, the people perish." Where the vision fails to reflect the nation's noblest qualities, the people respond to world events from fear rather than courage and compassion, and the national soul withers with its obsession for security through military supremacy. Presently, our nation's vision is focused on retaining military supremacy and ensuring our well-being through our dominance as the world's only superpower.

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition we cite seven principles, one of which calls us to affirm and promote "the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all." The ideal of world community is not about subjugating our national sovereignty to a world government as some fear. Rather it's recognizing that true peace will most likely be realized through the partnership of nations whose ways of relating are defined by international laws and treaties.

One of our nation's great qualities is our commitment to the rule of law. Because of this commitment our leaders, however much power they may accrue, are largely precluded from making up rules to suit their needs. This commitment is woven into the fabric of our nation's soul. So when we act in the international arena we need to bring that same commitment to the rule of law. When we violate international law, because as the only superpower we believe we can make up our own rules, we are diminishing our nation's soul and damaging the world's fragile quest for justice.

Our president's proposal to act unilaterally by initiating a pre-emptive war against Iraq is in violation of international law. No one would deny that since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, our national leaders' role of protecting our country has become more critical. Nonetheless, that does not give them or us the right to flout international law. To do so will not only establish a very dangerous precedent but will further isolate our nation from the world community at a time when we should be especially attentive to building relationships.

While we cannot deny the potential threat Iraq poses nor the actual threat terrorists pose, our nation ultimately will be far better served by a vision different from one that primarily seeks to ensure our military dominance. Such a vision would recognize our country's security and well-being as interdependent with the well-being of all other people. Such a vision would call us into authentic partnership with other nations in ways that allowed us to address the roots of terrorism. Such a vision would not preclude the use of military force, but the decision to use such force would be a shared one. It would be the reluctant choice of last resort made only after every nonviolent option had been exhausted.

At the end of the second World War our nation was, as it is now, the world's only superpower. The greatness of our nation's vision in that era was evidenced by our forsaking unilateralism and seeking to develop world community through the establishment of the United Nations. May our nation's soul be inspired by such greatness again, that we might realize the fulfillment of that vision.

The Rev. Arthur Vaeni is the minister at Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Perspective is coordinated by Associated Ministries in cooperation with The Olympian. The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by Associated Ministries or The Olympian.