9/11 20th Anniversary: What Have We Learned?
Peace Catalyst was started in a post-9/11 world. In part, Peace Catalyst was envisioned to respond to the ways Christians and Muslims were characterizing each other. Twenty-four-hour news outlets were looking for sensational content, and this led to increased fear of those culturally and religiously different from us. Politicians seeking to rise to power or hold their power used this fear to divide us into opposing camps. Writers sold books and bloggers built their platforms by ignoring nuance and stating their opinions with venom and certitude. Though it was sometimes framed as a “clash between civilizations” it became a clash within civilizations. Love of neighbor was replaced with litmus tests of group loyalty. For many Christians, being ambassadors of the Prince of Peace, working for the reconciliation of all things, and blessing others took a backseat to party politics and self-preservation.
September 11, 2021 is the 20th anniversary of a horrific day that shook something deep in our spirits. We watched as planes flew into buildings and crashed in fields. First responders rushed into burning buildings to save others, and many lost their lives in doing so. We took note as some in the world celebrated. We looked for the source of this evil and what could be done to eradicate it. For many, this trauma challenged their faith in God and their country. We struggled to find appropriate ways to respond to our anger and hurt. Many gathered to pray. Some became missionaries, and some joined the military. The United States declared war on two countries, and too much blood was spilled. Decisions were made by imperfect people trying to do very hard things. Still, questions persist and answers are evasive.
What can we learn from two decades of experience?
While writing this, there are events unfolding that have the potential to perpetuate our pain and divisions. Not only is this the 20th anniversary of 9/11, but the Delta variant of COVID is filling intensive care units and the United States has just pulled troops from Afghanistan, a withdrawal that did not go smoothly. This is a dangerous mixture that presents the risk of further divisions and violence. Pundits are pontificating to fill air-time and sell advertising. In this volatile season, we must acknowledge that no matter what our preferred trusted sources tell us, we are only hearing part of the story. Even if we listen to multiple domestic and international media outlets, there are always things happening behind the scenes and cultural influences we only partially understand. This is why certitude is so dangerous. Conclusions should be held loosely and with humility.
After two decades of processing, are we safer? For some, maybe. But other people living in the United States feel less safe, less included, less valued, and less loved in this post 9/11 world. We have definitely learned some things along the way. We might now better understand other cultures and peoples, but we must still resist the urge to scapegoat groups of people, at home or abroad. Demonizing entire groups lacks nuance and fails to uphold the principle of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. As “Christians” we know the diversity included in that word. There are category differences between Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, Pentecostals, Baptists, Mormons, and Klansmen, all of whom self-identify as “Christian.” Likewise, neither the Taliban nor Al Qaeda define Islam. And Sunni, Shia, and Sufi all identify as Muslim. Some of these are not religious distinctions at all but rather political and ideological categories. We must take care to not conflate these terms. These oversimplified conflations of complex social dynamics will lead us to some very wrong-headed conclusions. Sadly, this does not seem to bother some people, who use these religious and political labels interchangeably and implicate the whole for the transgressions of a few.
As followers of Jesus, we at Peace Catalyst are seeking shalom. This is not simply the absence of conflict but the mutual thriving of all. We embrace our roles as ambassadors of the Prince of Peace. We see all people as valuable and made in the image of God. We resist the urge to think of our affiliation groups as better than others. We remember that Jesus took his disciples to the Samaritans and crossed the stormy sea to the regions of the Gentiles. When the temple courts that were built to accommodate women and Gentiles were co-opted for religious profiteering, Jesus put a stop to it. He cleared the temple courts, making space for all people and nations to worship God. Jesus was intentional in his radical inclusivity.
What can you do to help?
In Peace Catalyst we talk about a journey of Understanding, Connecting, and Collaborating. We believe this journey nurtures and facilitates the shalom God intended. Here are some practical steps for you.
Understand
Listen to Peace Catalyst podcasts where we interview Muslims and Christians. It is so encouraging to hear from people doing the work of peacemaking, and it might give you some ideas about how to engage.
Join a Christian Peacebuilding Network small group to learn how to build shalom. Our ministry partners begin new cohorts each month.
Attend a Peace Catalyst Taster Session. Offered each month, these are introductory peacebuilding workshops to learn and practice foundational peace skills.
Connect
Introduce your Muslim and Christian friends over coffee. Invite your pastor to join you!
Help organize a Peace Feast in your area.
Collaborate
Afghans are relocating to the U.S. Contact your local refugee agency to see what they need.
Commit to your Christian and Muslim friends to nuance conversations and never misrepresent each other. Work together to learn how to support and honor each other.
These things require you to be in relationship with your neighbors. They are also somewhat cyclical. As you connect and collaborate, you understand better and ask better questions, which allows you to connect and collaborate at deeper levels. It’s a journey. It’s what peacemakers do. It’s the ministry of reconciliation of all things to which we are called.