After the devastating events which shook the entire world on September 11, there were countless calls from politicians and industrial leaders for Americans and Canadians to return to a normal way of life as soon as possible. This was intended to show the terrorists that we wouldn’t let them destroy our way of life with their senseless acts of cowardice. At the same time, the entire world was united in its attack on these enemies of mankind. The United States has been encouraged to “search out” terrorists from all corners of the world and destroy them so that they can never strike again. President Bush has not only condemned terrorists, he also condemned the countries and the people who provide terrorists with shelter and support of any kind. His mission is not only to “smoke out” terrorists, but also anyone who harbours terrorists.

During the past few weeks we have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of humanity. Max Lucado, is one writer who I think most eloquently described the events which occurred during the first week after the attack on the World Trade Centre.

“Four thousand gathered for mid-day prayer in a downtown cathedral. A New York City church, filled and emptied six times last Tuesday. The owner of a Manhattan tennis shoe store threw open his doors and gave running shoes to those fleeing the towers. People stood in lines to give blood, in hospitals to treat the sick, in sanctuaries to pray for the wounded. America was different this week. We sent money to families we’ve never seen. We wept for people we did not know. Talk show hosts read scriptures; journalists printed prayers. Our focus shifted from fashion hemlines and box scores to orphans and widows and the future of the world. We were different this week. Republicans stood next to Democrats singing the national anthem. Catholics prayed with Jews. Skin colour was covered by the ash of the burning towers. This is a different country than it was a week ago. We’re not as self-centred as we were. We’re not as self-reliant as we were. Hands are out. Knees are bent. This is not normal! And I have to ask the question, do we want to get back to normal? Are we being given a glimpse of a new way of life? Are we being reminded that the enemy is not each other and the power is not in ourselves and the future is not in our bank accounts? Could this unselfish way of life be the way we were intended to live all along? Maybe this is the way we are called to live. And perhaps the best response to this tragedy is to refuse to go back to normal!”

What Max Lucado says makes a lot of sense. The attack on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon was a horrible thing. But perhaps it will open our eyes. President Bush vowed to put an end to all forms of terrorism. Maybe now when a school yard bully beats up on an innocent victim, he will be expelled from the school and never allowed to return. Maybe now when a person breaks into someone’s home he will be put in jail for a long time and not be given 15 chances to prove that he cannot be rehabilitated. Maybe now when a person steals a car he will be locked up instead of tapped on the wrist and told not to be such a bad boy. Terrorism does not just exist in the hills of Afghanistan! We are all victims of terrorism, every day of our life! Are you afraid to leave your car unlocked in a parking lot? In your driveway overnight? Are you afraid of viruses sent through the internet by idiots attempting to destroy your computer? Are you afraid to walk alone downtown at night? Do you let your children talk to strangers? Would you leave your child alone in a crowded shopping centre? Why do we demand police checks for teachers? Coaches? Social workers?

When President Bush put out a call to stamp out all forms of terrorism in the world, he was not only referring to Osama bin Ladin. He was making reference to all forms of terrorism - large and small - that are faced by everyday people all over the world. He was also taking aim on all people who harbour terrorists - including people who continually find excuses for those who violate the rights and freedoms of ordinary people. It is time to force all “terrorists” to face the consequences of their actions. The school yard bully runs scared when the rest of the children join forces and attack instead of running away. We may not put down all of the bullies in this world, but at least we can begin by putting an end to terrorism in our own back yard. It is time for the good people of the world to stop cowering and living in fear of terrorists. It is time to attack terrorism where it begins - right in our own back yard!

Whenever something bad happens, something good usually follows which would not have happened if not for the bad event. Perhaps the change in attitude we are experiencing is this good thing, and as stated by Max Lucado, perhaps the best response to this tragedy is to refuse to go back to normal.