The right message

While stopped at a red light, it’s hard not to see that every other car waiting in line has a magnetic ribbon attached to its trunk, with messages like “Support Our Troops,” “United We Stand” and “God Bless America.”

Father Anastasios Gounaris of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church doesn’t agree with the idea of having ribbons that say “Support Our Troops,” because he feels it suggests that there are Americans who don’t support the troops.

“These ribbons are sending the wrong message,” Gounaris says. “It’s important to remember that love for our nation can manifest itself in different ways. I feel that the ultimate way to show love for America and support for our troops and their families is to work for peace. It seems like those who don’t agree with the decision to invade Iraq have no real way of expressing their support for peace.”

Gounaris believes that this growing “with us or against us” mentality is causing a division in the definition of what Americans see as being patriotic.

“Supporting peace is the best way to support our troops,” Gounaris explains. His “Support Peace” ribbons are his response to the war; the light-blue color of the ribbons was derived from the United Nations flag. The ribbons sell for about $3 each, or 10 for $20. To order ribbons, send a check to: Court Street Media, PO Box 55433, Indianapolis, IN 46205.

As a priest, Gounaris affirms that the Christian community should be focused on peace, not retaliation. “All Christian faiths are against war. It disturbs me to see that the nation I love is so gung-ho about going to war. Just as we say “innocent until proven guilty,” we should likewise support peace until it’s proved without a shadow of a doubt that we should do otherwise. The price in lost lives and squandered billions is too high to do otherwise.”