Usage twisted…

An intentionally provocative cartoon drawn by Polyp entitled "Jesus' final words" depicts a crucifixion scene of three crosses on a hill, with the figure on the cross in the middle saying: "…and I don't want anyone to go twisting what I've said into an excuse for a load of militaristic claptrap — you got that?" At first glance, one of my young friends thought it sacrilegious — which I must admit was close to my first reaction, until I reflected on what it might mean.

Disingenuous is a polite word to describe the twist in intent of a common citation at many remembrance day events. I refer of course to the quote from the injil or gospel where Jesus says: "greater love has no–one than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13) While some may draw comfort from these words when used in reference to soldiers who have lost their lives in bloody conflict (not infrequently someone else's bloody conflict), nothing could be further from the original context.

Not negating the heroic acts of many in the heat of battle, it is undeniably self–evident that war is not about laying down one's life at all. Quite the opposite, war is about making other people lay down their lives at the barrel of a gun, subduing others by the threat of lethal violence (even if in self–defence). Such acts are a far cry from Jesus' non–violent confrontation with the political and religious powers of the day that ultimately led to his execution.

Never should we forget the atrocities of armed conflict, but to romanticise our remembrance with a mis–placed quote from one whose inspired life so clearly marked an alternative path: now, that would be sacrilegious.