War is ugly. We know that intellectually. Most of us understand that through the images we see on the evening news. Those of us who have been around for generations have seen war after ugly war. Men fighting men. Death. Bloodshed. Crying. Loss.
But how much greater is the ugliness when it is brother fighting brother.
I just finished watching Cold Mountain, a movie set in the early 1860s, during our country’s “Civil War”. The movie was not completely about the war itself, in fact the causes and justifications for the war were almost not touched upon. Instead, the movie focused on the affect the war had on the people.
There was a scene near the beginning where the two sides were preparing for a clash, lined up, holding positions. We then see several Union soldiers sneaking behind the Confederate camp and setting massive explosive charges, and lighting the fuse once they were safely away. There is an enormous surprise explosion that decimates the Confederate camp. As the dust settles, the assault begins. An unending wall of blue soldiers runs toward their enemies now shattered camp, ready for the kill.
And I thought, “No… don’t do it…”
I know, I know. It’s just a movie. They set up the scenes and music and everything to make me think that, but I did. And it was for real. A bloody scene ensues where everyone is being slaughtered by each other. Face to face. It’s unthinkable.
But the part that got me was thinking about who they were.
They were brothers. Granted, our country was still relatively young, in the scheme of things. But they were all Americans. Less than one hundred years prior, they had fought side by side for the cause of freedom from a colonial oppressor. Even then, they were fighting their own people. But now, they had once again turned on each other, in the bloodiest war our country has ever seen. (The war in Iraq – the entire “War on Terror” – pales in comparison to most individual battles during the Civil War.
So many scenes through the movie of pure ugliness. Not just in the heat of a battle. But the ugliness that pervades once we allow ourselves to treat other people – especially our fellow countrymen – as the enemy, no longer worthy of living.
I do understand it a bit. In order to go that far, you just have to let yourself keep going. We’ve all experienced the beginnings of it. Even in our own homes. Proverbs says, “A harsh word stirs up anger.” Boy is that true! When I don’t watch my words, or when Jen is not careful with hers, or her tone, the sparks start to fly. It’s incredible. How could I feel anger toward the person I love the most? How could she toward me? But even just our silly little words can escalate to outrage and boiling point anger.
Usually the anger is over nothing, so with either one of us offering kind words, or just stopping for a moment to process things, the moment is diffused. We go on, living in peace, and living out the love we have for each other.
But throw the mob effect on top of ever-increasingly hateful words, and it’s easy to see how an entire country could be led to take up arms against each other. I’m sure there were individuals along the way who either refused to fight, or who showed kindness in a moment where there was opportunity. But war is ugly. People can do despicable things to each other when their hearts have been calloused by untamed, unrestrained anger.
I love history, and I am often fascinated by the Civil War, but every time I think about it, my heart becomes heavy. The thought of not just so many people dying, leaving their families behind… but all of the carnage was at the hand of other Americans. Very sad.
Eventually war will end. No, not like Star Trek presumes, that some day we’ll all just magically “evolve” to a point where we come to our senses and never resort to military action again. That can not happen in a world ruled by self. Where selflessness is unnatural, and pride reigns. Sin reigns. There will never be such peace in this world.
But the Bible speaks of a day when God will judge all men, and he will bring peace… forever. Weapons will be turned into farming tools. There will be no more training for war. At the end of this age, when creation is restored to its original design – then there will be peace.
Until then, the ugliness of war will continue to destroy life across our planet. Thankfully I have not been personally touched by the effects of war in my lifetime. That movie did a good job of personalizing the Civil War. I hope it never gets much closer than that.
And I hope Jesus is coming real soon to straighten all of this out.
Real soon.
