Today, July 1, 2005, is the beginning of the Independance Day holiday weekend for Americans. It is the time when we remember the nobler purpose for which this nation came into being. Although our beginnings were clouded by the way the white man treated the Native Americans, there were many who found refuge on these shores from the tyranny that existed in much of Europe. This included my ancestors, the Mennonites who never found a permanent safe haven until they settled in Pennsylvania. We must remember, however, that they settled on land that belonged to someone else.

Another dark stain on our history results from the way we treated natives of Africa, who were brought here as slaves to be sold and used in the development of an American aristocracy during the 18th and 19th centuries. Their descendants are still suffering because of racial hatred and neglect. It is now our responsibility to find ways of correcting that injustice.

From another perspective, this country did provide refuge for the tired and hungry refugees of the world. For many this became a land of opportunity. Now, however, the hoarding of wealth and the establishment of American empire are turning this country into an ugly blot on the world scene. The use of torture on our captive enemies, some of them children, is inexcusable. This kind of obscenity must be stopped immediately.

I am in the middle of reading the biography of Orie O. Miller (1892 - 1977), a Mennonite who spent his life trying to bring some relief to the suffering of those who were caught in the ravages of war. We owe so much to people like Orie Miller, who sought to serve his God by helping humanity rather than by killing his enemies. I pray that God will raise up more people like Orie Miller in this violent and greedy age. Oh God, give us peace in our time.