Images of war and nationhood

How we imagine – create an image of – ourselves is crucial to the way we act. Images are often powerfully emotive and draw us towards behaviour that we would otherwise reject. The modern image of the Muslim terrorist, constantly cultivated by the political and religious right and those who benefit economically from war is one example. But so is the image of the family in the debate about gay marriage, or the colonial image of ignorant and backward Indigenous peoples when land is disputed, or the images being created at present of the ever benevolent mining industry.

The other image that was created in Australia during the Howard years, and which has gained greater traction since 9/11, is that of a nation whose foundation was forged in and continues to be protected by war. At present it is an image highlighted in Anzac celebrations but also in the voice and pain of families who have lost people at war.

I think soldiers are brave individuals doing a job that they believe is vital, and when they die it is a tragedy for them and the people that love them.

But the images being created in this country leave no room for debate and critique. Each death is not simply a personal tragedy, as it always is when people die, but a major tragedy for the nation. And to speak ill of war is somehow to denigrate people’s courage and lessen the significance of their death.

Theologically there are a couple of issues. First, and mostly obvious, there is the fallacy that governments and armies give us security. There is the fallacy that if you invade another nation you build friendships and security. It’s a fallacy because when you invade a country, or when you demonise rulers, you destroy those fighting for change. Now opposition and change become treason, siding with the enemy, because everyone needs to be opposed to invaders. It’s a fallacy because civilians die in huge numbers, and that builds hatred. It is a fallacy because it fails to appreciate that security rests in God, and love of neighbour and enemy.

The second issue, though, is that war has ceased to be a tragedy or a failure. It is no longer what one does after other things have failed. War is now a first resort, and an achievement to be celebrated. War is almost permanently a crusade.

I think a challenge for the church is to help people find space to speak about war again as a tragedy and affront to God. Acknowledge the sacrifice in the midst of tragedy, honour those who die in war, but do not build an image of ourselves around war. Name war as a pain in the heart of God, and false security for the modern nation state.