In the 1950’s we saw two superpowers rise and embrace the dangerous posture of M.A.D. –“mutually assured destruction” with each possessing massive hydrogen bombs ready to be launched from the land, sea, or air at a moment’s notice. The literal threats of “star wars” eventually gave way to an agreement to essentially end the Cold War between the U.S.A. and the U.S.S.R.

     Popular culture continually offers up apocalyptic scenarios for the end of life on earth. We are fascinated by these “End of Days” fantasies, subscribed to by some groups in real life as inevitable. What if the true paradise is the life that we enjoy here and now?

     Scientists now talk about the Anthropocene Era as a new epoch that began with the atomic bombing of 1945’s introduction of radioactivity into the planet’s atmosphere. This change now includes both the irreversible effects of our burning of fossil fuel, and the complete destruction that would come with a nuclear war.

     Life is sacred. As with anything difficult in life, it takes an extra mental and emotional effort to cope with fear, to transcend assumptions, and to take the actions that may make a difference. Threats to life may well take us to extinction. Can we take responsibility for our actions? Can we declare “Never again” for both genocide and nuclear war and really mean it?