So I think this is a pretty interesting article, though perhaps not for the reasons that the author intends. I think it displays clearly some of the exaggerated moral terms, and irrational ideological fervor, for the dramatically pro-Ukraine secular perspective of American journalistic and political responses to the situation. For example, here's some quotes from this article:
"Ukraine is the most important story of our time, that everything we should care about is on the line there."
"[A] few things are morally clear: slavery, and genocide, and Russia’s attempt to destroy Ukraine."
"For the first time in my life, I felt hopeless about America. And because I have no transcendent beliefs, the loss of this earthly one left a void of meaning that made me sick.
Here was another motive—the strongest and most dubious of all. I wanted a gulp of Ukrainian air. I wanted to breathe its hope. What a thing to ask of people fighting for their lives."
"I asked what she was fighting for.
“Democracy, a new nation, survival—all together,” Olesya said. “This is a sacred war. It’s everything good against pure evil.” "
In the absence of any transcendental beliefs, in the absence of a trust in God's hand directing the nations, the secular voices of media NEED to believe that the democratic systems of the United States have moral and/or ethical superiority over the other nations. And when they doubt or lose that trust in America's systems, there is the frantic need to find moral absolutes, to bind one's cause to a place like Ukraine, a place that needs to be squeeeeeezed into representing our ideals for democracy, and then the war is squeezed into our ideal of "fighting to protect democracy". The war becomes a proxy for the fight that (supposedly) is not happening, or even losing here in the US. Isn't it strange that the Ukraine flag is displayed by people who have never been there, who know nobody there?
As Christians, it's certainly appropriate to pray for those affected by war -- especially our affected Christian brothers and sisters -- and pray for wars to cease, but thanks be to God that we are NOT obligated to have any opinions these political and military situations, whether domestic or international. That is, American Christians are not obligated to support US policies, and are certainly not obligated to worry about the political or military policies or outcomes of the war in Ukraine.
One of the greatest "freedoms" that Christians enjoy is the freedom to "let God be God" and free our hearts from worry about situations hopelessly out of our control. We are "free" to put our primary care on holiness and righteousness and repentance, both that of ourselves and that of our Christian brothers and sisters in our local congregations.
I think it's a uniquely Christian blessing, that we have the freedom to say, "No, I don't know much about that, I don't really follow the news," through our trust in God's providence in all things.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/10/ukraine-invasion-civilian-volunteers-survival/671241/
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