I expect to see it.
See, I have no doubt at all that within my lifetime the world will see a nuclear attack. No doubt at all.
It may be New York, it may be Washington D.C., or it may be Jerusalem. But it is coming. I wait for it every time I open my Google news page.
There are a few reasons for this certainty. The major western powers stockpiled nuclear weapons, keeping frantic pace with one another in pursuit of a dream called "mutually assured destruction," which was supposed to save the world. Today, though, the balance of power is lost, and increasing numbers of destabilized nations like Pakistan are gaining nuclear capability.
It's more likely, though, that an individual or a small group will be responsible. We made nukes too available, too accessible. During the Cold War, one of America's aims was to bankrupt the Soviet Union. It was largely successful. But what happens in a nation with no money to pay its military?
Russia lost track of more than 100 suitcase-sized nuclear bombs. According to former Russian National Security Adviser Aleksandr Lebed, each of them is capable of killing more than 100,000 people. Small-scale, but still nuclear bombs, and built to resemble a suitcase.
A mock-up suitcase nuke being modeled for the U.S. Congress, 1997.
So when I think about or write about the machinations of violence and war, I think and write as one for whom the nuke has already gone off, because it is simply inevitable.
And this is just another reason why I find all the vaunted wisdom of the world is unconvincing. Someone begins arguing to justify violence at this or that level, in this or that situation, for this or that very logical and cogent and honorable reason, but in the end this is where it all leads.
Of course, Christian commitment to nonviolence doesn't stem from a fear of nuclear annihilation. It stems from a faithfulness to the way of life modeled and taught by Jesus Christ.
Some trust in chariots, and some in war-horses, but we trust only in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20).
-NDSR
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Additional sources:
Are Suitcase Bombs Possible?Russian Roullette: Comments on Russia's Suitcase Bombs
Comments (9)
Perhaps I'm just missing it, but what is the * at the bottom in reference to? I don't see it located anywhere within the body of the post. I'll be the first to admit that sometimes my eyes have issues with reading computer screens...old age I guess
Wow... I fear a nuclear attack and/or war too. But you know that if The U.S. gets attacked, the U.S. will attack back because this is a stubborn nation. It is a vicious circle that won't stop and it scares the crap out of me. It just doesn't end. It drives me crazy.
@hubbaduh - Ha, no, you're right. It was a footnote to a sentence that I edited out. As I'm about to do to the footnote itself. Thanks for the heads' up.
@jmallory - But consider the possibility that a U.S. citizen does it. Will a mere death penalty satisfy the call for retribution? I think that no matter what happens, the world will fundamentally change after the bomb.
I like that way you say things, and I agree, it is inevitable, save Jesus coming relatively soon, and we all know we're not the first generation to think he is coming.
Do you enjoy history and/or church history?
The psalm was the best part.
@TheGreatBout - I'm with you on that Psalm 20 being the best part of this post.
Like Nick, I also have thought that the next nuclear explosion is very likely going to be some wacko's (like the unibomber) action, more than a governmental body representing any organized group. I also expect to see it happen in my lifetime, and I am in my mid fifties. We'll see...
I do not necessarily think that when this thing happens, it will be on purpose. I look for one of these things to go off somewhere it was not meant to. with technology comes bugs, and a bug can cause a war. I might be willing to say that in our lifetime we will see WWIII.
I completely agree with what you ahve said, and I love the way you say things. Thanks for the add. God Bless.
I have this same fear. Every day when I turn on the TV and see a large "Breaking News" banner across the bottom of the screen, I fear the absolute worst.
Of course, I'm a huge pessimist, so that may be why.