Clear Thinking in the Fog of War: Reflections on the Campus Protests

The protests on university campuses across the country have brought back powerful memories. In the spring of my freshman year at Ohio University (1970), protests against the US involvement in and expansion of the war in Vietnam spread across our country. On most campuses, the protests were peaceful and helpful and produced reasonable discussions regarding the morality/immorality of the war. On other campuses, the national guard was called in to preserve the peace. Confrontations took place and, sadly, four students at Kent State University in Ohio were killed by the national guard. All “hell broke loose” at many universities, including my own. Violence begat more violence. The president at Ohio University cancelled classes for the rest of the quarter and sent us home. Nevertheless, one basic truth emerged. The US war in Vietnam failed to meet the basic criteria of Just War Theory. The protests marked a turning point in the war. Plans were made (and slowly implemented) for the withdrawal of our troops from a costly, unwinnable war.

Earlier this month, Christian theologian Daniel Bannoura from Bethlehem, Palestine spoke on “Faith in the Fog of War: Theology and Politics of Palestine/Israel” at Wheaton College (his presentation is available on YouTube). He explained the factors that led up to the Israeli/Palestinian war in Gaza. He argued that genocide is taking place right before our eyes. Over 30,000 innocent civilians in Gaza have been killed. Many thousands more are facing imminent starvation. He made several excellent suggestions for resolving the conflict. He used the phrase “the fog of war” to illustrate how war can lead to a lot of erroneous thinking. Both sides are tempted to exaggerate the “goodness of our cause” and the evil of the enemy. In the midst of this fog, we need to strive for clarity of vision, courage, and clear thinking.

The protests on our campuses reveal a national fog, but also provide us an opportunity to lift that fog. Here are some of my reflections regarding the protests.

1. I celebrate that many students are actively trying to improve our world and are not consumed with greed and self-interest.
2. I acknowledge that outside agitators might be infiltrating the protests.
3. Violence against other students is never justified.
4. School administrators should provide venues for a respectful debate of the issues instead of provoking angry confrontation.

Last fall, I posted a brief reflection “Genocide against Israel is Evil…and so is Genocide against the Gazans” on this blog site which might guide our national dialogue. In that piece, I argued that the attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7 was morally evil. I also claimed that Israel’s response, although understandable, was excessive. Their indiscriminate bombing of civilian Palestinians was also evil. The same standards of justice must be applied to all. Regrettably, the war has continued. Sin (both personal and social) permeates all societies and people (including me). May we strive to honestly acknowledge the moral failures on all sides, turn from our evil ways, and be realistically courageous in seeking reconciliation and a lasting peace.