Cluster bombs, landmines target people

 Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.”  As followers of Christ, we need to be praying and working for peace.  In the midst of a world in which war is often the first resort, we have an obligation to humanity.  While we may not be able to bring peace fully and finally, we can work to minimize the destructive inhumanity of war.

In the recent conflict in Georgia, Russia dropped cluster bombs.  Cluster bombs are arrayed to scatter destruction like a shotgun blast.  Their only purpose is to kill people.  Cluster bombs are not the weaponry of choice to take down bridges, buildings, or blow up bunkers.  They are people-killers, plain and simple.  Turn off your “safe search” and google “cluster bombs” for images that will horrify you — children with legs and arms blown off, corpses reduced to smoldering lumps of flesh.  The effect is nauseating.  

Amazingly, 107 countries have signed a treaty banning cluster bombs.  China, Russian, and the United States are among the leading nations that have not signed the treaty.  Click here for a global map identifying countries that have signed the treaty.  

What can you do?  Learn about the devastation caused by cluster bombs.  Several sites provide information.  One compelling organization is called Survivor Corps, founded by Jerry White whose leg was blown off by a landmine in 1984.  Jerry White is a survivor and has rallied other survivors of landmines and cluster bombs to speak out against their use.  Amazingly, the US is not a signatory to even banning landmines.  Jerry White was a co-recipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize, and speaks with authority and passion on this subject.  His book, I Will Not Be Broken, is must-reading for those interested in being peacemakers in a world where life is cheap, and war is easy.  You may be new to this idea of peacemaking on an international scale, but there are steps we can take to make the voice of peace heard across the globe.  I hope you’ll take time to click the links, learn about these dangerous, destructive weapons, and add your voice and prayers to the growing call for peace.