In a certain sense, my spirituality is a very personal thing. On the other hand, I cannot be who I am, and believe what I profess to believe, and not take a political stand on issues that strike so directly to the core of those beliefs.
I'm a pacifist. A "no if's, and's, and but's" kind of pacifist. I know that isn't politically correct, especially nowadays. I haven't always been so against war. I used to believe in the self-defense argument, and there might still be some rare circumstances that would slip under my low threshold for warfare.
I'm not a pacifist because I'm squeamish about the thought of death or dying. As a matter of fact, as a Wiccan, I don't have many hang up's about death. Rather, my stand is a direct result of my commitment to spiritual pursuits. I have seen the complete folly of war. It gets us no where. Period. No one really wins. Violence can achieve temporary results, but the hearts of the weaker opponent will be hardened even further. The violence will be repaid, and no true peace can result. Victory is a shallow illusion when found through war.
I think our spiritual pursuits should inform our stand on political issues. We must walk the talk. If we say we love Mother Earth, how can we not scream out at the governments and corporations who are killing Her? If we say we believe in love, honor, truth and beauty, how can we not speak out when we see injustice and hate? My spirituality demands that I seek the truth. How can I help but despise the lie? And when my government lies to me... me, the citizen who grants that government authority... well, I have a moral and legal responsibility to take an active role in removing the offenders from office. That's my duty as a citizen, according the democratic ideals set forth in the constitution.
I guess that makes me undemocratic in the eyes of the common public. But then again, that's the same public who insists that witches have green skin and warts.
~Flame RavenHawk
September 13, 2002