[.ca] The War on Terrorism and the Terror of God (ISBN 0802828604)

The War on Terrorism and the Terror of God:
This important book may anger some readers. Its thesis is that when counterterrorists adopt the tactics and good-versus-evil mentality of terrorists, there is no moral difference between them. In other words, when the United States attacks terrorists in the Muslim world, it is behaving like those it accuses. Griffith's alternative, "the burning coals of God's love (Romans 12:20-21)," leads believers "to risk their lives in the service of others (John 15:12-13)" because "the judgment of God is arrayed against all of the rebellious principalities and powers." For Griffith (teacher and author, Elmira, N.Y.), there are no just wars. One may grant that counterterrorism at times inflicts more damage than the terrorists it opposes and that those practicing counterterrorism act unjustly. Is that sufficient reason, however, not to respond militarily at all? Griffith, who believes it is, advocates closing down the CIA and its training camps and ending the governmental use of informants and covert sting operations. He wants individuals to practice nonviolent dissent and noncooperation, even though he admits that those tactics have a bleak track record in halting oppression. Recommended for all levels of readers.

A serious work with thoughts about not becoming 'the enemy':
Even Griffith's most adamant detractors must concede that he makes a substantial and strong case for his point of view, from the perspective of theology, history, and deeply considered ethics. He does have a definite point of view, and it is not one that is deferential towards the powers-that-be, here or elsewhere. He points out the sad state of moral equivalence between terrorist and counter-terrorist that is our present paradigm

A Very Important Perspective:
Lee Griffith presents a logical perspective that seems to have been ignored in the hysteria that has followed the events of September 11, 2001. (Interestingly Griffith wrote his book before those events.) Griffith points out that our response to terrorism has basically been to terrorize the terrorists, which forces the terrorists to just increase thier commitment to violence. Griffith also presents an important Christian prespective that we miss far too often. We have divided the world into good and evil realms and have concluded that it is up to the realm of good to defeat the evil realm. However, Jesus never divided the world into good and evil, he saw the entire world as good, but fallen and in need of redemption.

A Great Book, A Profound Book:
This is the finest, most eloquent book on our current situation that I 've read, and I've read quite a few since the fall. Terrorism never works, whether it's state terrorism or non state. Legitimate grievances canot be addressed or avenged by violence. The author makes the case that there is no biblical justification for terrorism and absolutely none for violent response to terrorism. His reading of the Bible is spot on. Finally someone has the courage to oppose these awful wars, including the American terrorism, and tell the truth. Violence and murder are immoral and never work, even in retaliation for violence. Read this book. Pass it on.

Glosses over reality:
In his noble effort to encourage peace, the author has written an indictment of US policies, while glossing over the realities of the present world order. He presents Islam in an irenic way, ignoring the fact that the Islamic resurgence is fomenting violence all over the world. This book is a one-sided view, based more on rhetoric than reality. Don't waste your money on it.