This Sunday, our nation will observe the tenth anniversary of the September 11^th terrorist attacks. One of the more provocative questions being asked now is, "Did Osama bin Laden win?" Author Lawrence Wright (The Looming Tower) reported that the aim of those attacks "was to draw the U.S. and the West into a prolonged war-an actual war in Afghanistan, and a broader global war with Islam." We continue to experience war in both Iraq and Afghanistan and we have not yet resolved the bitter divisions with Islam, even here at home. Owing at least in part to the financial cost of those wars, we are also struggling with an economy that often seems on the brink of collapse. Despite the fact that bin Laden and virtually all those directly connected with the 9/11 attacks have died, their legacy of "mission almost accomplished" (Bill Maher) is frighteningly close to reality.

            American society is more divided now that we were ten years ago, though we were already moving in that direction. Several thousand American troops have lost their lives and we have received back a virtual army of gravely wounded warriors. We have also been participants in a process that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and the expenditure of several trillion dollars. Most of us would affirm that we are not better off as a society than we were on September 10, 2001.

What can we do, on this tenth anniversary of 9/11, to respond in a way that promotes growth and hope for our nation and our world? For me, the first step is getting in touch with our triple loss.

·         We all suffered a trauma on 9/11 with tremendous loss of life and also the loss of a veneer of invincibility. We feel more vulnerable and have responded to that uncomfortable feeling in ways ranging from violent reprisal to national cynicism.

·         Second, we have lost trust in the capacity of our governmental leaders and structures to provide leadership. Part of that is due to leadership that has not been entirely trustworthy, including those who have chosen personal gain over public service. Another part is due to a suspicion concerning the size and power of government that has mushroomed into a belief for some that government is essentially evil.

·         Third, we have lost a great deal of confidence in our national motto (E Pluribus Unum-out of many, one) and its implication of our common efforts for the common good. This has led us to lose touch with an American attitude of abundance that, as a society, we can welcome new people and new ideas knowing that these will only make us stronger.

            We need to begin moving toward trusting who we are as a society-that freedom involves risk and that we can deal with that risk. We need to begin asking more from our leaders in terms of accountability and statesmanship, and begin to make the backroom system of special interest influence much more transparent. And we need to take back, as a matter of faith, that we are one in our diversity-to trust that change can indeed lead us to a new birth of freedom.

Thanks for continuing to bless me as we journey together.  

--Jack F. Price

To read more by Jack, be sure to order your copy of Finding Faith: Honest Answers about God, the Bible, and the Church Today at:  www.findingfaithnow.com or www.lulu.com/buy (download available)

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