The man who carried out the execution was an 18 year old young man who had joined a guerrilla army that was waging war against the government. Listen to the way his (brief) life was described by the photographer:
"when he was 12 years old, Burmese government troops came into his village and killed his mother and father right in front of him... they then bashed him in the head with a rifle butt and left him for dead... the boy survived this ordeal, but suffered the loss of his right eye - and the loss of his childhood... by the time I photographed the executions, he was 18 and a member of a special commando unit... his superior officer told me that the young man often had to be restrained after an engagement with government troops, to keep him from sneaking back to the corpses and eating body parts... when he carried out the executions, it was unimaginably savage and shocking - much of the worst of it I did not capture on film... he was oblivious to the horror, lost in a haze of hate and revenge... each stab of the blade was a way to get back for the loss of his parents, his eye, his childhood... A few months later, this same young man - who had both endured and caused so much suffering, was dead at 18, killed in a clash with government troops..."
When I looked at the images, two thoughts came to mind: First, from a photographer's eyes I felt as though the photographs gave voice to a person who had no voice, one whom the world had "left for dead". It fueled my conviction that art is important, because it helps the world to see the unseen and hear the voices of the muted. Secondly, as a person of faith, I asked "Does the brand of "Christianity" we preach and practice make any sense in that dark corner of the world?" How do we take our favorite lenses of "Right" and "Wrong" and view what was going on in the images?
As Christians, we have been conditioned to shrug our shoulders and say "That's a result of sin." We have developed an eschatology that conveniently offloads our moral responsibilites in the present by saying, effectively, "God will fix everything one day". We have built an entire religion on teaching people how to get to heaven one day in the future. But what about the present? What do we have to offer to the 18 year old commando, and others like him?
More and more, I have come to understand that the Bible looks at sin from a historical, generational, communal, macro and global perspective rather than simply as a list of thou-shalt-not-do's. Again, from a photograher's eyes, that means when I look at an image depicting the evils of the world, whether it is a brutal act of terrorism across the oceans or an episode of violence here on my streets, the question to ask is "Where is my hand in this?" I have learned that if we look carefully and thoughtfully enough, it's always there. Perhaps that's what Jesus meant when He said to those looking at the woman caught in sin: "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."
For those who are interested in seeing the work of the photographer mentioned, go to:
(Warning: some images contain graphic violence)
12 comments:
John 3:16
Really? That's what you'd say? If given the opportunity to speak to the 18 year old...that's what you'd say to him? And what do you suppose his response will be?
Alfred,
I do not know what's the right words to say to him. All I know is that God love him too. It is the Spirit that works in him and not what I said. Everyone wants to have a solution for him. There's only only one solution for him; God himself.
After reflecting and being aware of what's happening, what are you going to do for the many 18 year old commandos out there?
Yes, Alfred. A picture is worth a thousand words! Often, war pictures depict the ugliness of mankind, There is no hope in this world except through redemption of God's grace! I have little doubt that each and every one of us suffer and pain at one stage or another in our lives, whether it be physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual. I'd prefer not to dwell on the origins of sufferings but to give warmth to the people who come across our pathways. We cannot change the world but we can make a difference one at a time! The energy will be better spent that way!!
Perhaps just spending time and attending to the commandos needs are more valuable than saying any words that he could hardly relate! Life affecting Life!
Hi alfred,
i have to admit i was quiet disturbed by the pictures and quite challenged by your question. I even had a dream, a very unsettleling one... Then this morning God spoke to me through this devotion that I've been following for lent prayasyougo.org Matt 1:20. Somehow I understood why I was disturbed and felt so overwhelmed and helpless. I think it's because I see the need but feel so inadequate to help and yet God whispered to me Do not be afraid.... Don't be afraid to reach out to something unfamiliar, don't be afraid to reach out to the outcast, don't be afraid to show love to forgotten ppl.... and somehow a sense to peace came to me because with Him there is hope and in Him there is strength.
Thanks to all who posted their thoughts. I think when we are confronted with the reality of evil and suffering in the world, it is tempting to fall into one of two extremes: First, We can look at the scale of the problem and simply conclude that it's pointless to even try. Alternatively, some of us respond on a purely emotional level, we rush out, want to do something, anything, and when we see that our efforts are not producing immediate and dramatic results, we become discouraged. It is quite similar to the two kinds of seeds Jesus mentioned in the parable of the sower.
I think what is sorely missing is a "thoughtful" response. Rather than starting with the question: "How do I help to end the civil war in Burma?", perhaps for most of us, it's more helpful to begin with taking a step back and asking, "As a follower of Jesus, is my world-view shaped by the values that he taught and lived? How does my world-view address issues such as global trade, justice, poverty, etc.?"
Like many of you mentioned, I do not believed that there is a quick fix to many of the global issues we are confronted with today. But one has to start somewhere, and I have learned that if we start with the "right thinking", more often than not it leads to "right doing" .
Unfortunately, more than often "right thinking" continues to remain as "right thinking". It seldom has a chance to move away from objective discussion towards producing something personal and concrete. Additionally, this intellectual exercise often takes a long time to ferment. In this interval, however, the advantage of it is that it creates a safe distance between us and them, in a way that we will not lose any sleep towards the suffering of others.
Well said, dear Anonymous! I especially like what you said about creating a "safe distance between us and them"...it seems like so often as Christians we are guilty of that...from the way we raise our children, the way we approach social justice issues, the way we treat others who are "different", and so on. That's why I admire those who, in their own ways, decide to breach that 'safe distance' by reaching out. Perhaps that's the first step that all of us can do towards "right doing": enter into dialogue with someone from another faith to learn and appreicate their beliefs; volunteering with a social service agency that is non-faith based; Or even taking the time to read up and educate ourselves on global issues. But you are absolutely right...this cannot just be an intellectual exercise.
"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
When you look back at any of the "big" changes in our world regarding social justice, whether it is about civil rights, suffrage, apartheid...they all started out with a small group of people not willing to accept injustice. People's movement is a force to be reckon with - it's grounded in sound progressive policies, theology, and faith (of all kinds), but it translates to action at some point. If all of us can be engaged instead of sitting on the sideline, imagine what we could do together?
Reading up on some of the stories of The Lost Boys of Sudan, there is life beyond being a child soldier (if one makes it out alive) - healing starts when someone cares enough to reach out and not look at them as a statistic.
"I have come to understand that the Bible looks at sin from a historical, generational, communal, macro and global perspective rather than simply as a list of thou-shalt-not-do's."
Once again, I agree completely with you Alfred - the holistic, collective, and narrative perspective of the biblical storyline. Developed contextualization and exegesis would suggest this is not only how we must approach Scripture, but to our communal living.
Hey, I'm curious to know how acquainted you are with liberation theology?
-Kongstable
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