Should we just go in?

The continued iniquitous behaviour of the ruling military junta in Burma guarantees the death of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of ordinary helpless and needy people in that country. Ever since Cyclone Nargis struck over a week ago with devastating effects, the generals have steadfastly refused any proper and adequate international assistance and relief, which is poised ready to help.

How far can a country go before the international community, in the guise of the UN, steps in and says enough is enough? When is it right to say that a nation's sovereign rights to rule its own people are to be forfeited for the sake of the survival of its population? Does there come a time when the UN says 'we're coming in'? It seems a little clearer when it comes to war (but even then the examples of Darfur and Tibet demonstrate the weakness of the toothless tiger that is the UN). But isn't what is happening in Burma an act of war? The generals are killing their own people by wilful neglect and active ignorance. I know the ethical and political questions are massive: but people are dying when they could be saved. That just can't be right.

Comments

[Louise]

In my heart, Roger, I am thinking that it requires the wisdom of Solomon - regarding not just what to do, but how to do it.

There must come a time when the nations come to the end of themselves...I'm thinking about Isaiah 60...when they seek the wisdom of Holy Spirit, manifested through the ambassadors of God's Kingdom. Only Lord Jesus can help us, ultimately - any of us...Maybe the church should be in serious intercession, right now - because opportunites like this really will come to us, and we will need impartable wisdom, even for nations like Burma - now and in the future.

[Ian Whillans]

Hi Roger,

I think I agree with your feelings on this one. I wonder why we don't hear this opinion more often? I don't think that a state has the fundamental right to treat it's citizens anyway it likes. They may be Burmese, but they are also human. We wouldn't tolerate other British people being treated this way, so well would we tolerate fellow human beings being treated like this?

I think it's a feature of the Kingdom and Kingdom people that we see each other as equal and so when we see people treated badly we don't think - well as long as they're not British!

It does seem that the international community allows far too much before it acts. I heard Ban Ki-moon today saying that he couldn't get the top general in Burma to answer the phone. So he sent him a second letter.

That ought to do it.

Ian.

[Steve Dummitt]

I share your heart for the people of Burma who now find themselves the victims of both a terrible natural disaster and an oppressive military regime.

My first instinct regarding UN military intervention: It certainly represents the potential for meeting some of the needs created by the natural disaster but I believe it also represents a potential for exacerbating and prolonging the human made disaster in that region. As horrific as it is to have to weigh that trade-off, I think that’s probably what it boils down to. I’m not sure that the west has a very good historical track record when it comes to the end game of interventionist wars. Especially when waged in impoverished nations.

But all that aside, Romans 13 tells us “there is no authority except that which God has established” and this reminds me that even in the darkest hours of humanity God’s plan is still at work in the world. That’s not said in support of any junta or government, nor to be dismissive of this tragedy, but it’s said by faith in a God whose name is higher than all those things.

I pray that God’s kingdom come in Burma as it is in heaven. And as a son of God and an agent of that kingdom, I look forward to the day when the church is better positioned such that the cyclone victims and juntas and UNs of this world can come to us and say: “Teach me the ways of the Lord” in their times of greatest need.

And in that light, I guess we should also be reminded that God has a small and persecuted contingent of sons in that country right now and we can pray that they be strengthened to stand firm in the face of further suffering and that their love would not grow cold despite the wickedness that surrounds them. I also pray that they can see themselves as the seed of what is going to grow into the fully matured, without-spot-or-blemish, Bride of Christ living in that part of the world.

Blessings to you from Ottawa Roger - I check in here often but haven’t posted before. Thought I’d make up for it all at once. ;)

Steve Dummitt

[Josh Naylor]

one suggestion is that this is the important question that needs to be asked.

Is it more important for the right thing to be done regardless of understanding or is it more important for the right decision to be understood.

if the former - wade into burma imposing western aid on people, undermining the authority of the society established there. but guarantee that the west will have no complaints as to how the situation is handled and have a clear conscience.
if the latter - sit back and wait for the potential consequences of not helping, taking the paternal approach, allowing a child to burn themselves knowing that they will learn not to touch hot things.

As christians we must balance our compassion for people with wisdom knowing that good intentions do not always equal lives saved. ultimately God is the provider showing through water from rocks, manna from heaven and feeding the 5,000 that regardless of how we might view a situation from outside God's power is enough.

[Roger]

Thanks for the insights on this one. No easy answers: the simple fact remains that people are dying. I personally don't believe the junta is there because God put them there. Neither do I believe that western democracy is the ideal system for every society - it won't work in Iraq. But basic humanitarian needs - food and water - should not be political. That just shows how evil the kingdoms of this world are.