Fear-as-fuel causes a kind of social global warming, filling our social atmosphere with invisible toxins that subtly, silently, relentlessly change everything and make our society less humane and less habitable. Those who live by the sword, Jesus said, will die by it, and I imagine the same could be said for fear, because the sword – like the knife, bullet, gun, or bomb – is in the end an icon of fear, a fetish of intimidation intended to drive others into a fearful retreat or surrender.

The quote above comes via Brian McLaren’s recent post warning about becoming the monsters we fear. Great thoughts, I think.

Drawing above by David Jien

Tags:brian mclarenfearJesusmonstersnon-violenceOsama Bin Ladenpeacerevenge