War and Christianity

[outsider]

For those of you who are Christian how can you justify war?

I see many who call themselves Christian take up arms about abortion but who show no remorse if a children's hospital is bombed. I see no difference.

If we are to take the Bible literally should we not take literally such parts as these:

Love is the supreme law for the Christian (Romans 13:10).
Peace is the Christian's obligation (Romans 12:18).
Retaliation is to be avoided (Romans 12:19)
You should not resist an evil person, but whoever smites you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matthew 5:39)
We are to love our enemies—and are to bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, and pray for those who spitefully use us (Matthew 5:44)
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18)
Now is my kingdom not from here. My kingdom is a different kingdom; My kingdom operates by higher laws; those who are members of My kingdom do not fight.If love and mercy are how Jesus defeated death and the devil and by using the name Christian implying you follow Christ, how can you reconcile having everything but love and mercy?

If the greatest commandment after loving God with all your heart, soul and mind is to love your neighbor as you love yourself why would you hate another?

If you aren't willing to show love and mercy even to those who do you evil why do you call yourself Christian? That's what Jesus tasked you with.

[HaloGuardian]

It's something I think about often and don't have an answer.

[Unreal Player]

Well a lot of the fundamnetalists simply want to bring about the end of the world. I have a writing class on the subject, dunno why I picked it. Crazy shit though.

[outsider]

Even among fundamentalists, it seems they should be the ones most hardcore about being a beacon of faith, men and women of mercy. Instead we get Christians like the Westboro Baptist Church and every candidate who claims to be a Christian in favor of war.

The war that we are supposed to take part in is a spiritual war. If someone shoots me my job as a Christian is to forgive them and to help them forgive themself. It's not to shoot them back.

[HaloGuardian]

I agree there but what about owning a gun and killing someone to protect your family from an intruder/government? What is the difference there?

[outsider]

A Christian isn't supposed to do those either. I don't know how well I'd respond in that situation but I know what my faith dictates I do.

[HaloGuardian]

That is where I really struggle. Where the founding fathers not really Christians because they fought and died for what they believed were God given rights? Should you let someone murder your family because Jesus wouldn't kill someone to protect them (but at the same time I know everything happens for a reason and God really can protect your family if that is his will)? Should no Christian be in the military even if they never take up arms? Should Christians not be involved in the government at all because of the force the government uses either directly or indirectly? I wonder about these things probably too much. Good thread...

[outsider]

I don't think our founding fathers were Christian. Many went out of their way to describe themselves as not Christian. The majority of them were Deists. They believed Earth and man were created and that God left after that

[HaloGuardian]

Some said they were, some said they weren't. They all weren't one thing...

[fibula]

Men are flawed?

[iaacp]

Men are flawed?

Pretty much. I think this goes hand in hand with "no one's perfect". Of course we should follow and try to stick by what the book says, but people do and will slip up.


My kingdom operates by higher laws; those who are members of My kingdom do not fight.

I don't think it means fight so literally, I think it means those who pick fights and look to cause trouble. Also, I don't think defending yourself counts. If some guy starts pushing you around, try to do the peaceful thing and turn around. If he tackles you, you need to defend yourself. IMO, as long as you tried to avoid the conflict, but it got to the point where there's nothing you can do, you've done the right thing.

[outsider]

Sure men are flawed. There still isn't a Biblical excuse to go to war. If you admit to being flawed that is part of a step. You have to stop doing the foul deed to be forgiven though. Men being flawed may be an excuse to lose your temper, war on the other hand is an exercise of wrath, greed or gluttony. War is the result of sin as is death.

You aren't supposed to defend yourself if someone attacks you, you are supposed to forgive them and pray for them. To turn the other cheek. If Christ's commandment is to love one another you fail it when you support a war or condemn the homeless or trodden down.

If Christ is your king than you are a part of his kingdom. If you are a part of his kingdom you don't fight. If you fight you are not a part of his kingdom.

It is Blessed are the peacemakers...not blessed are the war mongers.

[Armedmadillo]

:supagay: Religion doesnt cause war stupid.

[outsider]

Does what you posted even mean anything Armed?

[Armedmadillo]

It does. I just know where the thread is going and dont want to hit the tripwire.

[outsider]

So what does it mean?

[Armedmadillo]

Sharks have barbed penis's.

[outsider]

So basically you have nothing to say but you said something anyways?

[Armedmadillo]

I have much to say. What is your take on my response?

[outsider]

Your responses have been empty void of meaning.