Atonement and Redemption in the Rebirth of Eelam
Ruben Nagesparan Chandrakumar, BS
Atonement and redemption are two cardinal principles within Christianity, offering every individual the opportunity to grow past their mistakes and sins to redeem their soul. Without atoning for one’s sins, one will continue to justify their misbehavior and remain on a path to the darkest depths of hell. However, by acknowledging the wrongs one has committed, reflecting on the reasons and repercussions of those wrongs, and remaining faithful in the grace of God, one can begin to transform their perceptions and behavior to redeem themselves. Applying this framework to the evils that Tamils partook in, justified, and celebrated during the war—and even to this day—offers hope, inspiration, and a belief in a better future.
The many atrocities that Tamils engaged in—from murder to theft and extortion—require a thorough analysis of the national psyche and the resentment that fostered the manifestation of evil. While many Tamils refuse to believe that significant wrongs were committed, a simple conversation with any of the individuals victimized by the totalitarian, dictatorial LTTE quickly challenges this paradigm. This refusal leads to further internal divides and stirs the anger of not being acknowledged. The only way this can be altered is through sincere dialogue and analyzing the many mistakes of the Tigers. Without this, the road to perdition is certain.
By acknowledging the legitimate grievances that people had against the LTTE, the nation can begin the difficult process of healing and redemption. Without changing the structure of beliefs that led Eelam to behave in this manner, there will only be a repetition of the movement. While there are plenty who wish for nothing more than this, a larger proportion of the nation despised the tyranny they had to live under—even after leaving the country. The threat of force and violence is a primary reason the LTTE was able to maintain their power, and they were not shy to use it on anyone they considered an obstacle to the development of an independent state based on totalitarianism and revolutionary socialism. This poisonous and disgusting philosophy must be annihilated, and a rebirth—a renaissance and philosophical enlightenment—is a necessity if the country is to live up to its highest ideals. This process of change will be arduous and require the greatest levels of sophistication and discernment to offer a new vision where Eelam will act as a model nation to the world—placing freedom, justice, security, prosperity, and richness of cultural heritage at the pinnacle of its value hierarchy. Without this radical metamorphosis, what hope is there left? A return and embrace of the hellish nature of totalitarianism?