Peacekeeper vs Peacemaker
Reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount and imagining how Christianity might have evolved if that had been its center. And how the bombing of Iran risks my grandchildren's futures.
The Beatitudes
He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back came out in 1980. My fiance’ and I stood in a line of people that snaked around the movie theater multiple times. We waited for hours. This was, afterall; a state of the art movie at the time.
I thought it was epic. As the years have come upon me, I understand it’s a common story of good versus evil. A Joseph Campbell mythological battle prevalent in our collective story tellings. A narrative that has been told over and over again through time. Honestly, I’m not a huge fan now. I had friends who were obsessed.
As a child, I loved Star Trek. I prefer it. The difference between the two is clear. Star Trek wasn’t about pushing their weight around and dominating planets and solar systems. It modeled how to learn from and embrace other cultures, aliens and beings. Sometimes there were misunderstandings. Sometimes there was war, but resolutions were found. Their code of conduct meant not to mess with another’s culture. Respect and dignity of the stranger were high priorities.
Star Wars reveled in war. The Peacekeepers, pictured above, were not about peace. They were the empire’s tool to force a fake peace through violence. They were the army that assisted the empire to place its "boot on the neck'“ of the people and planets for domination and control.
The Peacekeepers in Star Wars remind me of the moment we are in right now. Our own military and national guard have been deployed into our own land- the city of LA. “Obey or else” this administration shouts. “You will submit” they demand, as they kidnap people with no due process. There is threat of their presence being disseminated into other cities across our nation, especially Democratic cities and states. The empire is placing it’s boot upon our necks.
When President Trump decided to join with Israel and bomb Iran on Saturday, June 21, 2025, the PM of Israel, Netanyahu said this…
"President Trump and I often say: 'Peace through strength.' First comes strength, then comes peace," Netanyahu said in remarks after the bombings. "And tonight, president Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength." (BBC News)
This lie has led men and nations for much too long. This is the cause of war after war. Devastation after devastation. Suffering upon suffering. Peace does not come through strength. Bombing other people/nations is NOT strength. It is death and destruction.
“Bombing for peace is like f-cking for virginity” as the saying goes.
Peace comes through the soft, tender care of people, creation and earth. I know this to my core. I read the Beatitudes.
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.”
Peacemakers are very different than Peacekeepers. To make peace implies ongoing actions of people working together. Listening to one another. Empathizing. Hearing the other’s perspective. Honoring another person’s experience in life. Collaborating together towards a solution. It takes time and effort.
To keep peace is to force peace. It implies that there is already peace when that may not be the case. To keep peace is to enforce the status quo. There is no space for transformation and change. No room for listening. No room for care from the rulers towards the people. It is authority rule. To keep peace is either denial of what is actually happening or power over forced fake peace.
(artist, Kelly Latimer)
Imagine, just for a moment, what this religion called Christianity would have been like if the Sermon on the Mount had been Centered as the prime motivator of all the tradition did and communicated to its followers!
Perhaps, there would not have been the splintering of denominations and their brutal torture and murder of those deemed heretical. Maybe thousands of women wouldn’t have been burned at the stake. Perhaps the Inquisition would not have risen up to it’s fever pitch of blood lust, if these words had been taken to heart. Maybe the Crusades wouldn’t have unfolded in all it’s slaughtering terror.
Speaking of the Crusades, Pete Hegseth, the 29th United States Secretary of Defense has tattoos connected to the Crusades.
According to Google AI: (many articles confirm this)
Pete Hegseth has several tattoos that have drawn attention due to their controversial nature and interpretations.
Pete Hegseth's tattoos include:
Jerusalem Cross: A large cross with four smaller crosses in the corners, a symbol of Christianity with origins in the Crusades.
"Deus Vult": A Latin phrase meaning "God wills it", a battle cry used during the Crusades.
Chi-Rho: A Greek symbol representing Christ, used by Emperor Constantine.
Cross and sword with Hebrew: Referencing the Bible verse Matthew 10:34, which Hegseth interprets as "not peace, but a sword".
"Yeshua": Jesus' name in Hebrew, across his elbow.
"We the People": From the U.S. Constitution.
"Join, or Die": A snake symbolizing colonial resolve.
Infantry regiment patch: Honoring his military service in the 187th Infantry.
AR-15, crossed muskets, and an American flag: Symbols of military and patriotism.
"Kafir": An Arabic term meaning "infidel" or "non-believer".
Controversy and interpretations:
Some consider his tattoos, specifically the Jerusalem cross and "Deus Vult," as symbols of militant Christian nationalism and far-right extremism.
The "Deus Vult" tattoo reportedly caused Hegseth to be prohibited from working at Biden's 2021 inauguration.
The "kafir" tattoo has received criticism for potentially offending Muslims and being viewed as a symbol of Islamophobia.
Hegseth has defended his tattoos as expressions of his faith and patriotism, denying connections to extremist groups.
He views his tattoos as a means of openly expressing his worldview.
Hegseth’s worldview is violent. (not to mention his character)
I find this to be so very ironic, because nonviolence seems to be the story of Jesus Christ, yet people who claim Jesus as theirs, have no qualms with violence. I hear them cheer it on. I watch them revel in it.
Violence ALWAYS begets Violence.
My greatest sorrow is that Trump’s disgusting decision to bomb Iran will impact future generations. The fruit of this act will bring violence into my children and grandchildren’s lives. All of our children and grandchildren are now at greater risk than ever before. They will reap the repercussions of this administration’s actions and this enrages me.
(photo by author)
In my imagination, with the Beatitudes as center, I see a world of equality. A place where all humans flourish as they care for each other. The earth is well tended and honored as sacred. Respect and dignity wash over everything and everyone. Mercy abounds. The gentle and meek are revered. The peacemakers lead. Heart’s are pure. Children are cherished. This is the world I and millions of others are living into as best we are able.
May it be so…
As I was reading this, I kept thinking about the comparison between the concept that peace has to be forced through strength and the concept that a woman needs a man to lead her or the concept that the "man of the house" should rule with an iron fist so that others respect him and that fear that gets mislabeled as peace and order can be maintained. The wounds of the world so often connect to the wounds in our homes. Thank you for writing this. I share your hopes for peace.