Why are Christians not against the war in Iraq?

Question

Jesus clearly stated His Will concerning relations with enemys in Mathew 5:43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you.
This principle is one thing that sets christianity apart from other religions and yet the church is not following the teaching by discouraging the war. In fact the opposite seems to be true...

Mark Twains "War Prayer" seems to be very appropriate.
http://www.libertystory.net/LSDOCTWAINWARPRAYER.htm

Answer 1

Many Christians, in the US, at least, are how shall we say... gullible? That's why they're still Christians. They simply go with the flow, and believe what they're told, etc. With that in mind, the Republican party learned a long time ago that they can use that to their advantage.

They simply throw "god" into their campaigns and speeches, and get the religious right all worked up and feeling patriotic, and then they will have their support to do anything they want. The Christians will have this false belief that "God's folks" are in charge of this country, and everything's gonna be just fine.

So they sit back and listen to their Toby Keith "Boot in yer ***" patriotic songs, and shed a tear watching soldier's stories on 60 Minutes, all the while not having a clue that the "religious right" are the furthest thing from what they think they are.

The Democrats are finally starting to realize this. (Don't know why it took so long) But they're starting to court the religious people also. For too long, Democrats have been viewed as godless, communist hippies, just because the Republicans swayed American thought to paint them as such.

In essence, uhm... people are just plain dumb.

Answer 2

The people who are Christian that are not against it goes to the very problem with religion. Christianity and religions formed during that time all have one thing in common, they believe in war. The bible is full of war, so some will use that as an excuse to go to war. Others will say they are doing it to save people. While others will tell you that well not all us are for it. For such an organized religion it is funny that people can choose to be for something bad.

Answer 3

I think that there are 2 faults to your argument. First, Iraq is not our enemy, and second, this has nothing to do with religion. I think it would have been un-Christian not to intervene in this situation.

We went into Iraq to help the Iraqi people by removing a brutal dictator who had killed thousands of his own people, had them living in fear, and supported terrorism throughout the region. The Iraqi people are our friends, so is the present government.

This also has nothing to do with religion, but the extremist Muslims there would like you to believe that it has everything to do with religion; don't buy it. We are not trying to impose any religion on the people of Iraq, or to extinguish any religion. We are trying to give the people freedom and liberty and control over their own affairs.

Good people of all religions should recognize that this is a just cause, and the average Iraqi understands this, even though they are fed up with the violence and bloodshed.

I am not religious, in fact I consider myself to be an atheist, but I do believe that people should be free to practice whatever religion they choose to, as long as they do not harm other people or force them to adopt their religious beliefs. I understand that our president is a born-again Christian and I see no contradiction between his actions and beliefs.

Answer 4

Jesus didn't tell us to submit to people that follow the teachings of false prophets, {Muhammed} who was a "Child Molester"

http://www.geocities.com/AntiJihad/mo_pedo.html

Terrorists were waging war against the "Infidels" {U. S.} at least 20 years ago and before that also.

The terrorists are there in Iraq today as we speak, and not on U. S. soil because of the actions of the U. S. military!

The world changed since this cowardly act by Muslim extremists, {see picture}

http://www.faithfreedom.org/Gallery/14.htm

It is Just to defend Israel from the likes of people like Mr. "Abdulhaq",{Answerer above},an Al-Qaeda sympathizer, and endorser of Child Molesting!

Answer 5

All Christians do not support the war in Iraq for different reasons; however, to be for war is not to be anti-Christ. God sent his people to fight in wars several times in the Bible. I believe the scripture you stated earlier is to show how Christians are set apart and have different reasoning behind their actions. Everyone can hate their enemies, but it takes supernatural guidance to love your enemies. Sure, you can try and relate this to war, but I believe it speaks more to your everyday relationships.

Answer 6

This question is based upon the highly-debatable presumption that absolutely no one's life was in danger under Saddam Hussein. It is much easier to question whether Americans were directly in danger with Saddam in power, but as Christians, we must concern ourselves with the welfare of all humanity, whether they are Americans or not.

Because Saddam had a clear track record of aggression against his neighbors (Kuwait, Israel, & Iran; to say nothing of the persecuted ethnicities within Iraq,) one might suggest that it is our duty as Christians to stand up for those who are being attacked, regardless of national interest. So you could almost say that it is easier for a Christian to support the war than for a U.S. American.

NOTE: I am not saying that it is without a doubt that Christian love for our neighbor required a war in order to protect those Saddam would (and did) harm. But, it also isn't a given (as you suggest) that a Christian could not support this particular war. Since the 4th century, the Catholic Church has a teaching on 'Just War' (see link below for an explanation written with an eye toward the current conflict.)

Now, if the U.S. were to declare war on Canada (for instance,) it would be almost impossible for a Christian to not oppose that war!

UPDATE: Hey, all you 'Love your enemies' people! Can you take a moment out of loving Saddam, & share a little of that Christian love with the Kurds he gassed? Or, the Israelis he attacked with missiles? Or, the Kuwaitis he invaded? Or, the Iranians he battled for years? Or, all those Iraqi civilians he executed? Sheesh! My suport for the war was not whole-hearted by any means, but SOMEONE has to speak up for all those killed by Saddam (see second link below.)

Answer 7

God doesn't expect Christians to be the worlds doormat either. Islams goal is destry the infidels. It is not a religion of peace like the media says. Read Exodus 15:3. God uses war all through out the Bible.

Answer 8

As a Christian I am VERY against the war in Iraq. Just because Bush and the Republican pretends to be Christian the rest of us get screwed, eh?

Answer 9

I do not mind if Christians do hate their enemy...but are the people of Iraq their enemy????
Some one might say, we are fighting the terroristts...can you name one act of terroris in Iraq before the invasion of USA forces...!!!!????

It is simply The Un-Just war...it is for money and oil and protection of Israel.
All Humans should be against it

Answer 10

Please don't lump all Christians into one pot. I'm very against the war and so are most of the members of the church I attend.
People only seem to hear the Christian "right" that gets it's self all over the media. They don't speak for the rest of us. They only think they do.