Is Our Country in a Dark Night of the Soul?

I was looking back over some of my writings from over the years. I found this column I wrote for the United Methodist Reporter in 2012.

You can find my column HERE.

The last dozen years or more have indeed been a dark night of the soul, and I’m not just talking about the Church.  We are living through a dark night in our culture. Lately, watching the news has felt more like a nightmare.

I closed the article with this: “The only uniquely Christian understanding of transformation is that it involves a cross and a resurrection, and you can’t work hard to create a resurrection. I’m afraid of what taking up the cross might mean for our beloved institutions, but I know that when a cross happens, God is in it. And something new and beautiful will emerge, even if it hurts.”

Something new and beautiful did emerge from schism, I truly believe. It’s like a breath of fresh air to get together with those committed to unity in all our diversity, who stayed in the main body of the UMC. God is moving. Maybe it also feels that way for those who left. I don’t know.

But what is going to emerge from this dark night in the United States? I remind us (with trepidation) that last time my denomination went through a major schism, 17 years later our country plunged into Civil War. History revealed that the South in general, and those sho separated from the Church in particular, were wrong. Yet, strangely, some of the same dynamics in our culture are back. It seems to me that here we are again.

Surely these next few years won’t look like civil war. But what will it look like to get out of this hole? And do I still believe that something beautiful will emerge?

Condemning Actions of ICE

I am making this a public letter. It’s too important not to speak out.

Dear Senator/Representative,

I write to you today as a constituent and a person of faith deeply concerned about the escalating situation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minneapolis, Minnesota and the tragic deaths of at least two U.S. citizens during those operations. 

Over the past weeks, Minneapolis has witnessed multiple shootings by federal immigration agents — including the killing of 37-year-old Renée Nicole Good on January 7 and, most recently, the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on January 24, both in circumstances that remain intensely contested. Video evidence and independent analysis raise serious questions about the official narratives that these individuals posed imminent threats when they were killed — questions that demand transparency, accountability, and independent review.  Protesters and community members have repeatedly stated that these were citizens exercising their rights to observe and document enforcement activity, not domestic terrorists. 

The deployment of thousands of federal immigration agents under Operation Metro Surge — including ICE and Border Patrol personnel — has sparked widespread unrest, legal challenges, and calls from Minnesota leaders for federal de-escalation.  In response to these deaths and the mounting tension, many Minnesotans — including business leaders, civil rights advocates, and faith communities — have called for an immediate reduction of federal enforcement presence and for investments in humane, rights-respecting policies that protect both community safety and civil liberties. 

From a faith perspective, numerous religious leaders and organizations have spoken prophetically in this moment. The United Methodist Council of Bishops issued a statement condemning the violence as “evil actions perpetuated by governmental authorities” and affirming the sacred worth of every person and the way of peace, urging care for neighbors and a rejection of fear-based tactics.  The Episcopal Church leadership in Minnesota has likewise lamented the killing of civilians during federal enforcement operations and called for responses rooted in justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity.  These voices remind us that human life is not measured by policy objectives alone but by the inherent dignity we are called to uphold in our laws and enforcement practices.

As your constituent, I respectfully urge you to:

1. Support legislation to cease or sharply condition federal funding for ICE operations that have resulted in loss of innocent life and widespread civil unrest.
2. Demand robust, independent investigations into the killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti — including full release of video evidence and witness interviews — with accountability for any misuse of force.
3. Advance policies that prioritize de-escalation, protection of civil liberties, and humane immigration enforcement — rather than militarized tactics that undermine community trust and safety.
4. Use your oversight authority to ensure that federal law enforcement agencies are acting within constitutional boundaries and respect the rights of all U.S. citizens and residents.

Our nation is strongest when it protects life, upholds justice, and honors the dignity of every human being — principles cherished across faith traditions and rooted profoundly in Christian teaching about peace, justice, and love of neighbor. I urge you to reflect these values in your leadership and public policy decisions.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial matter. I look forward to your response and action.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Steve West

Birmingham, Alabama 

NATO Unity Protection Act

I sent this letter to my senators and congressman. I am making it a public letter because this is too important not to.

If you are against invading and taking over Greenland, and in favor of international law, I encourage you to do the same.

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Dear Senator/Congressman,

I write to you as a constituent and as someone deeply concerned with the moral responsibilities that accompany public leadership—especially in matters of peace, restraint, and our obligations to one another in the community of nations.

I respectfully urge you to support the bipartisan NATO Unity Protection Act, sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Lisa Murkowski. This legislation offers an important safeguard by prohibiting the use of U.S. funds for any blockade, occupation, or annexation of NATO territory, including Danish territory such as Greenland.

At its heart, this bill is not only about geopolitics or procedure. It is about honoring promises, resisting the misuse of power, and choosing cooperation over coercion. Our alliances—particularly NATO—have long served as instruments of collective security precisely because they are grounded in mutual trust and shared commitments. When those commitments are placed at risk, the consequences extend far beyond borders; they touch the moral credibility of our nation.

Scripture reminds us that “blessed are the peacemakers,” and that leaders are called to serve not by force, but by wisdom and faithfulness. In a world already burdened by conflict and instability, Congress has an opportunity to affirm that the United States seeks strength through partnership, peace through accountability, and leadership through integrity.

I believe the NATO Unity Protection Act sends a steady and hopeful message: that the United States remains committed to diplomacy, international law, and the careful stewardship of power. I hope you will support this measure and help ensure its passage. Simply put, it’s imperative.

Thank you for your service and for considering this appeal. I would be grateful to know your position on this legislation.

With respect,

Rev. Steve West

Birmingham, AL 35210

International Law

 I don’t think of myself as partisan but as a Christian ethicist. I don’t think one party is wrong or that the other party is right about everything. Some issues are too complex for one sided solutions. There’s a lot of gray in a world of black and white. There should be more listening, less shouting. 

But when it comes to lives being at stake, I must speak out. Once again, I wrote my senators and congressman. I’m making it a public letter by sharing it with you. 

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Dear Senator/Congressman,

I am writing to implore you, during these times, to stand with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress for the importance of international law.

It is my understanding that President Trump said in an interview published Thursday there was only “one thing” to limit his global power. “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” He added: “I don’t need international law.”

This is extremely dangerous. We need you to stand up, now.

President Trump’s rejection of international law — the framework the US has for generations advocated to avoid wars between major powers and protect the sovereignty of lesser ones — could make the world more dangerous. Nations such as Russia and China have demonstrated in Ukraine and the South China Sea that they will flout global norms. By joining them, Trump could further embolden US foes.

Plans to “run” countries in our hemisphere and aspirations regarding Greenland, regardless of the charter principles of NATO or the people of Greenland’s desires, further degrade our position with our own allies.

The checks and balances and constitution of the United States are all indeed intended to limit the power of the president. Please do what you can to take your responsibility seriously. We elected you to represent all of us, not just your base.

Sincerely, 

Rev. Dr. Steve West

Chaplain, Fair Haven Methodist Home for the Aging

Unity and Inclusivity

 "Only love is trustworthy; only love is credible," said the pope. "While unity attracts, division scatters."

Amen. This is why I chose to remain in the United Methodist Church.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ax7QjqraJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Carol Service - Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Choir

 In case you missed it, here’s a link to the Carol Service this year, featuring the Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Choir.

It was televised on APT. It is my joy to sing with this esteemed choir.

Open Letter

I’m sending this to those who represent me as well as sharing this with you as an open letter.

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Dear Senator/Congressman,

I am writing to express my dismay regarding the military strike on the “drug boat” from Venezuela this week. This was clearly illegal and immoral.

I am certainly not defending drugs or their transport.  But as a nation, we have a moral obligation to tackle problems in ways that are better than this. These men were human beings, and my faith teaches they were created in the image of God. They were not given any sort of due process such as being arrested, tried, and convicted for their alleged crimes. In addition, an effectual death penalty enacted by the military is not at all an appropriate level of punishment for drug transportation.

Ethically, this constitutes murder, not casualty of war. Even war has rules, and this was indiscriminate killing. A better alternative would have been to arrest them. If we can go to the trouble and expense of drone strikes, we can do something more ethically sound to deal with the problem.

Please do whatever you can, as our Alabama representative, to confront the atmosphere of violence and hostility created by the present day populism and disregard for human beings whether they be immigrants, people of other countries, political foes, and yes, proposed criminals.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Steve West

Minister, chaplain, and citizen of Alabama