Change the Formula of War

Cody Khork.

Nicole Amor.

Declan Coady.

Noah Tietjens.

Jeffrey O’Brien.

Robert Marzan.

As of this writing, these are the six U.S. soldiers killed since the Trump Administration, in coordination with Israel, launched an attack on Iran.  

Read their names again.  

The soldiers are more than casualties of war. They were more than soldiers. 

They were humans. They were sons and daughters. They were filled with hopes and dreams for the future. 

They cried. They laughed. They were loved and gave love back.  

When countries rush into war, they often get caught up in the chaos of bombs and explosions. People watch war on their cell phones and televisions, captivated by the attacks and counterattacks.

It’s only when the human casualties of war begin to trickle in that we get a sense of loss. But as the human casualties mount, names quickly become statistics.

War is designed to dehumanize us.

From the rhetoric leading up to war, leaders use language to dehumanize their adversaries. From combatant to savage, the lead-up to war is filled with dehumanizing language meant to “other” with the purpose of turning flesh-and-blood into nameless adversaries filled with hate and void of a soul.

The slang of war, domestic and international, fulfills the inner desire to reduce people to objects rather than to the humans they truly are. Human nature informs our minds and souls that murdering another human is wrong, so we must adjust the formula.  

We must make 1 + 0 = 0 (Human + Enemy = Death).  

The formula 1 + 0 = 0 helps humans reduce others’ value to clear our conscience about war.  

Then, to build on this formula and clear our conscience even more, we add 1 + 0 = Patriotism.  

We wrap death in a flag, convincing ourselves that the deaths of our soldiers, enemies and civilians are somehow part of a greater loyalty.  

And finally, and this is the most dangerous: We change the formula to 1 + 0 + Patriotism = The Will of God.

Dehumanization and patriotism are not enough for people claiming a faith tradition. The faithful must convince themselves that God is blessing their efforts to kill other humans created by divine hands.  

The Hebrew Scriptures are filled with stories of people killing at the behest of Yahweh, but we must remember those stories were written by the ones doing the killing.  

Let’s be honest. It’s much easier to kill with a clear conscience if you think you’re doing it for a deity willing to absolve you of your sins. More so, you get increasingly inspired to kill when you believe that same deity will bless you with lands and riches.  

On the contrary, it’s more difficult to wage war and kill people from other cultures when you see them as fellow humans, made in the image and likeness of God. 

And for those who follow Jesus, it becomes impossible when you begin to weigh his thoughts, wisdom, and nonactions on hate and killing (that leads to war).

“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27).

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44).

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

“Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52).

Jesus did not wage war, even when he had the opportunity. 

Every other messiah figure hated their enemies. Every other messiah figure dehumanized their oppressors. Every other messiah figure picked up a sword. 

But Jesus was different.

Jesus knew that hate leads to killing and killing leads to war. Jesus knew a secret: The most powerful weapon on earth was not hate, it was love.

Love deflects hate.

Love humanizes.

Love includes others.

Love builds up.

Love creates community out of division.

Therefore, as we remember the names of Cody Khork, Nicole Amor, Declan Coady, Noah Tietjens, Jeffrey O’Brien, and Robert Marzan, I encourage you to add some more.

The names of the Iranian children and citizens.

The names of Palestinians.

The names of Israelis.

The names of migrants dying in detention centers.

The names of Velezuanian fishermen.

The names of Ukrainians.

The names of Russians

The names of African Americans killed by white supremacy.

The names of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

The names of any human being killed under the false banner of blind patriotism and divine selection.

The world needs to change the formula we’ve grown fond of using when it comes to war.

1 + 0 ≠ 0

Instead.

Love > Hate.