December 28th is the Feast day of the Holy Innocents in the Roman Catholic Calendar

Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.

Matthew 2: 16

It seems that King Herod like George W. Bush ordered a pre-emptive strike to kill what Herod believed would be a terrorist threat to his kingdom.

How many children has the United States killed in Iraq, and Afghanistan? Far more children than killed by King Herod.

The children King Herod killed in his pre-emptive strike are considered the first Christian martyrs and today, 12/28 is the feast day Roman Catholics and may other Christian denominations remember and honor their deaths. Will we remember the children our country has killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Viet Nam so that we, Americans, can feel safe? Human sacrifice offered on the altar of patriotism and terrorist politics so George W. Bush and the United States congress can pander to U.S. citizens fears of loosing their exceptional place in world politics.

Unitarian Universalists covenant to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. Can a person be a good UU and a good American who supports the killing by U.S. troops in his/her name for such bogus reasons?

“A cry was heard in Ramah—
weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
refusing to be comforted,
for they are dead.”

Two of my children were killed by a three time drunk driver and I grieve every year as we, humans, drunkenly rejoice that it is "Miller Time" and that Budweiser has "drinkability". At this time of year, getting into the Christmas spirits has a double meaning and for many it brings great sorrow, injury, and death. In 2012, I am starting a spirituality of recovery group for all those people who are interested in replacing their chemicals with spiritual peace and joy.

Let us become aware of who we really are, children of God, and put away our drones, bombs, guns, and booze and come to our senses and consider what it is that we are doing to ourselves and others in this world.