Responses to Violence in Biblical and Modern Times

In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, many Americans have turned to religion and spirituality to find consolation and seek understanding. This week, we presented a lecture by Nobel Laureate and Boston University Professor of Humanities, Elie Wiesel, in which he uses the Bible story of Gideon to compare biblical precedents of responding to violence with responses to terrorism in modern times.

According to the Book of Judges, Gideon was appointed by God to lead his people through a war. He questioned his assignment by asking if his military task was truly moral. Professor Wiesel points out how this aspect of Gideon's story resonates with the dilemma that US and other world leaders were faced with when considering how to respond to the September 11 attacks. Professor Wiesel also argues that lack of peace brings people together and wonders whether peace is a blessing after all.