| They won't fight to win
By Andrea Miller
Guest Writer
On Monday, January 20, Jerry and Sis Levin spoke on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birth. Their topic was on “Christian Peacekeeping the Middle East: Healing the Dysfunctional Family of Abraham.”
“What’s happening to us doesn’t have to happen. There is another way, a better way…for those of us who are really serious about what Jesus taught …you must love each other the way that I have loved you,” Mrs. Levin said.
One of Mr. Levin’s main points was that “non-violence is not a way to peace, but it is the only way… (it) has never ever really been given a chance to prove itself, as an altruistic practicality. Violence on the other hand has had a several thousands year head start to do that.”
This couple’s mission is to actively promote and exemplify the non-violence of Jesus, of Gandhi, of Dorothy Day, and of course of Martin Luther King Jr.
The night before MLK was murdered he stated that “we have a choice between non-violence and non existence”. The Levins couldn’t agree with this more.
Mr. Levin refers to history in this way, “More often than not (violence) has resulted in the installations of regimes crueler and more depraved than those overthrown.”
Both speakers presented, for about twenty minutes each, about their roles in the Middle East. Then it was opened to questions.
Mr. Levin is a former CNN Bureau Chief in Beirut. He was one of the first so-called forgotten American hostages; kidnapped on March 7, 1984, he spent eleven and a half months in solitary confinement until his escape on Valentines Day, 1985.
During his captivity, he converted from a “culturally assimilated Jewish American atheist” to a follower of Christ.
Since May 2002, he has worked with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). Mr. Levin’s experience with confinement is the subject of the film “Held Hostage” which is based on the book “Beirut Diary” written by his wife Sis. Mrs. Levin holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University and is a renowned educator.
The CPT offers a nonviolent alternative to war and provides organizational support to persons committed to faith-based, nonviolent alternatives where conflict is an immediate reality.
The idea for CPT was formed in 1986 after a fall gathering in Chicago. By 1992 the team had put together a series of delegations to Haiti, Iraq, and the West Bank of Israel. Christian Peacemaker Corps was founded in 1993.
Since then, CPT have been recruiting, and training individuals in peacemaking skill and non-violent direct action. Their mission is to respond to Christ’s call and confront the world’s injustices, while at the same time attempting to bring God’s love to violent situations.
To be qualified for the Corps one must be 21 years of age and have a deeply grounded faith. Reserves and full-time Christian Peacemaker Corps members spend anywhere from a few weeks of helping to three years. Members of the CPT come from 23 U.S. states, four Canadian provinces, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. The CPT travels all over the world; Afghanistan, Columbia, Hebron, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom.
About twenty years ago, the third Monday in January was first designated to honor Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. His non-violent philosophy changed the way that United States citizens viewed their “enemies” during the Civil Rights Movement. It is in this legacy of love that we remember his work and sacrifice for the sake of others.
At Calvin, the celebration for Martin Luther King Jr. Day began with a 10 a.m. chapel service.
At 12:30 James Skillen, president of the Center for Public Justice in Washington, D.C, presented a talk at the January Series entitled, “In Celebration of MLK Day, Creative Justice.” Calvin also sponsored “A Supper-time Chat with Mrs.Gill.”
Lillian Gill, born in Mississippi in 1917, spoke of what it was like to be alive in the Civil Rights era. Finally at 7:30 Calvin hosted Jerry and Sis Levin to talk about Peace in the Middle East: Healing the Dysfunctional Family of Abraham.
Throughout the day, the video series “Eyes on the Prize” was shown at Johnny’s and a walking museum was on display in the Commons Annex.
Calvin students also wore black ribbons as a remembrance of the struggle and hardships of the Civil Rights Movement.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Man must evolve, for all human conflict, a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”
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