by The Reverend Dr. Brit Minshall

President Obama addressed the Turkish parliament in the most diplomatic of terms concerning “the terrible events of the past,” an accepted reference to the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 by Turkish forces.  Morning Edition (April 11) reminded us that candidate Obama was quick to identify this event as the “Genocide of the Armenian People” a statement avoided and denounced by Turkey.

The problem with these “horrors of history” is: (1) countries committing these atrocities later become powerful and world leaders are afraid to offend, thus allowing these all too common events to escape international justice. (2) We are hard pressed to find a modern nation that has not committed horrific crimes against humanity, including the U.S.A.
If we are to save ourselves we must move history out of the realm of politics.  We, “the people of the world” need to let our leaders off-the-hook. 

Here’s a plan: Draw a Bloodline in the Sand.

For certain, evil acts of communal human violence, which every nation has perpetrated at some time, will never end unless they are exposed and accounted-for.  Therefore, I propose we establish an international panel, under the auspices of the United Nations, made-up of accomplished historians and historical sociologists.  Empower them to “draw a bloodline in the sand” separating the modern era from the past, say April 1804 (the congress of Vienna) or perhaps 1492, Europe’s entry into the Americas.  These experts will examine EVERY case of alleged “crimes against humanity” after that date.  This must include France, England and the United States in the wholesale kidnapping and killing of Africans and the U.S.’s genocide of Native Americans.  It will cover the subjugation of the Amero-indians by the Spanish and the Rwanda genocides.  Of course Germany’s genocide against the Jews and other “inferior peoples” of Eastern Europe will be featured as well as the Japanese genocide of the people of China (1937 - 42).  Then of course there is Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

Interestingly, prior to our bloodline the Hebrew Scriptures are replete with stories of the Hebrew genocide against multi peoples from Jericho to the Canaanites, followed 1500 years later by Christian pogroms against Jews.  On this side of the bloodline there are today’s accusations that the nation of Israel is committing population replacement and genocide over the Palestinians (1946 +).

The political pressure on this commission will be enormous because the past is wrapped up in the present.  For instance, since 1993 Turkey and Armenia have been locked in a dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh claimed by Azerbaijan but deeded to Armenia.  Additionally, most powerful western nations are terrified of the prospect of claims of reparations by victim of their worldwide slash-and-burn from the Serengeti to Haiti, from Wounded Knee to Equator, to and from the Muslim world.  When the historians work is published there will be plenty of blood to go around.

There will be no escape because GENOCIDE IS PART OF ALL OF OUR HUMAN-ANIMAL HISTORY, we must own it, identify it, teach it to our young, and account for it.  This is the only way to end it forever!  

In the natural, Human Memes (Social Structures) carry a “default setting” to kill off any outsider human that enters its space, like two colonies of ants meeting on the forest floor, only one walks away.  It’s the same among the animals; a band of chimps meet another band, a bloodletting ensues. Just like the other primates, it is also in our animal nature. 
But now, we are on the precipice.  We will soon annihilate ourselves or we are poised to become what God designed us to be: PEOPLE.  And while religion doesn’t have the slightest clue, the creator made us to replenish the earth, not destroy it - care for each other, not butcher each other.

This “Bloodline in the Sand” allowing all of us to bear our responsibility for past “genocide” is only the beginning.  The other side will be a “Peace line in the Sand.”  People on this new side will be Human once and for all and the killing will stop - For God’s sake!

Dr. Britt Minshall is an author of several books and a speaker on societal behaviors impacting politics, religion and wealth. He travels and ministers extensivly in Haiti.  He is a Pastor Emeritus in The United Church of Christ, a Minister in the Full Gospel Fellowship and a regular contributor on Fox Television Network, Public Radio, and National media.  He is also a former Security Agency operator and  INTERPOL Officer.   

Reprinted with the Permission of Dr. Minshall and his publication For God’s Sake