Terrorism and the War in Iraq: A Christian Word from Latin America by C. Rene Padilla and Lindy Scott (Buenos Aires: Ediciones Kairós, 2004), 186 pages, originally written in English, ISBN 9879-4036-81
Book Review by Sidney Rooy
Terrorism, say the authors, creates fear in those who are victimized, whether those acts are committed by governments, special interest groups, or individuals. In the eighteenth century, the term usually referred to governments while in the present it is more frequently applied to the two latter agents. Since governments use violent acts to keep their own or other peoples in subjection, the word is still properly used in the broad sense. Senator J. William Fulbright so uses the word when he decries the intervention of the United States in the internal affairs of Third World countries, albeit in the name of freedom and democracy. “We and some of our friends,” he says, “have initiated some of the worst aspects of modern terrorism” (p. 65). Senator Fulbright chaired the Senate Committee on International Relations for almost thirty years (1945–74).
The subtitle of the book under discussion emphasizes that the authors’ is not the final word of truth in the matter; it is “a” not “the” Christian word. Rather, it represents the testimony of a part of the Christian Church (from Latin America) given in the interest of the message of peace and justice that our Lord came to proclaim and to initiate. René Padilla, an Ecuadorian who has lived in Argentina since 1967 and studied in the United States and in England, is a theological, literary, and pastoral leader. Perhaps, along with José Míguez Bonino, he is the best known lecturer and writer among Latin American Protestants. Lindy Scott taught for fifteen years in Mexico, has written and edited a number of books, and continues an active role in Latin American religious affairs. Christians, the authors believe, owe it to one another to speak with clarity and conviction on the matters discussed in the book in order to further kingdom righteousness.
The book begins by citing the testimonies of many churches and Christian organizations in Latin America, all in opposition to the current war in Iraq. Protestant groups, the majority of which have historically been silent on such divisive political issues, have made themselves heard from the whole spectrum of denominations, from the Pentecostal to the historical. The concerns expressed in the many documents cited include the following: the sacrifice of so many innocent lives, including women and children; the hypocrisy of having been allied to Iraq in the 1980s when the worst atrocities were committed; the prospect of winning the war but losing the peace; the fomenting of more reactionary fanaticism which breeds more terrorism; the use of resources for destruction rather than for meeting basic human needs; the violation of international law; the unilateral rather than United Nations-approved action; and the furthering of hostilities with the Muslim peoples which impedes the communication of the gospel message of peace and reconciliation to God and our neighbor. No document was found from Latin American church groups which favored the war in Iraq.
