I'm a Christian pacifist and I've always told people that the reason I am a pacifist is because I am a Christian. When I look at the message of Jesus I see the idea of love as the dominant message. I understand the idea of wanting to protect our country, but shouldn't our Christian beliefs come before that? As Christians we should want everyone to be saved and it seems that killing the "bad" people off doesn't give them that opportunity, instead it steals it away. I am really curious about how other Christians rationalize war from a Christian point of view. I would love to hear your insights on this because I really am very curious.
2006-08-06 10:50:30 · 11 answers · asked by iamsupermanurnot 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
war is only a last resort.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) This always reminds me of the Byrds song based on it :)
We are supposed to turn the other cheek, yes, but war is sometimes unaviodable. I respect your pacifism but there is nothing in the Bible saying war is wrong (many wars are detailed in the Bible between Israel, God's chosen people, and the people they met and had to fight or else be killed. God Bless.
Romans 12:18: "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." NOTE:"IF IT IS POSSIBLE"
2006-08-06 11:11:55 · answer #1 · answered by Drew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are certain reasons when it is good for Christians to go to war. It is called a "Just War". The case has to consist of going to war in order to help others (i.e. in order to save lives or protect innocent people, etc.)
Pacifism is an extreme too. War should definitely be avoided if possible, but there are cases when it is important that AS Christians we do go to war or otherwise we would be to blame for much loss of life of civilians, etc. Just look at the Old Testament, God did not discourage war and actually encouraged it when it was necessary.
2006-08-06 10:59:05 · answer #2 · answered by oremus_fratres 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
didn't Jesus also teach about Justice? All governments are placed on earth by God even the bad ones. Each government has the responsibility of order and justice in their domain. If a government is attacked it is required to protect its citizens in a just fashion.
The Bible teaches Just War is Permissible. As a policeman might at times have to kill in order to protect others, sometimes nations might have to go to war to protect as well. But Just War must be fought justly.
2006-08-06 10:57:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anthony M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is responsible for the majority of wars, conflict and murder of innocent life since humanity began. There is considerable evidence to classify religion as evil, and talk of religion (Gods etc) should be banned. Because the records prove over and over again throughout humanity that religion is clearly responsible for crimes against humanity, taking part in any religious activity should also be outlawed and made a criminal offence.
The world would be a much happier and peaceful place if religion ceased to exist. Although there are some decent religious believers and preachers, they are unwittingly spreading evil around our world, and that they should simply keep their beliefs and thoughts to themselves in the best interests of humanity, or suffer the consequences for their actions.
People should consider that the world would be like Heaven if religion ceased to exist, but all the believers and preachers have turned the planet into Hell.
Christianity and Islam like to kill their fellow human beings.
Religion is responsible for the majority of wars, conflict and murder of innocent life since humanity began. I know there are many nice people who believe in God, but the real evil amongst us, are the vast majority of religious followers and believers who have clearly shown over time to be the major instigators of wars, violence, abuse, greed and practically everything evil on our planet.
Even according to Genesis in the Bible, God is clearly the greatest mass murderer in history. The Bible is full of terrible atrocities and evil, far more than nice things, but of course believers will just ignore or twist the atrocities into whatever soothes their confused minds.
Everyone knows of murders and violence associated with Christianity and Islam, I suppose all of the other major religions have a track record of killing their fellow human beings as well.
2006-08-06 10:54:41 · answer #4 · answered by Brenda's World 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the person asking the question. I don't remember reading about Jesus ever saying to kill anyone in his name for any reason.
Most Christians just use their religion as an excuse to treat other people like crap to make themselves feel better, bigger and more important, so it's no surprise that most Christians view killing other people as acceptable (since its the most brutal form of treating someone like crap that there is)
2006-08-06 11:21:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im Christian and pretty peaceful myself, though Im Italian and not completely pacfistic by nature ;)
I don't condone war, I wont join the military, I wont have my children join the military. I dont see any support in the NT for it. Though I dont rally AGAINST war because the Bible says there will be wars. I will protect my home and family to the death... on MY soil... I wont go to someone elses home, or country and kill them just INCASE they might come by my home and kill my family. But, invade my home or my family's personal space? Different story...
2006-08-06 11:03:47 · answer #6 · answered by impossble_dream 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I generally don't support war, but the Jesus Christ of the Bible was not a pacifist by any stretch of the imagination.
2006-08-06 10:56:58 · answer #7 · answered by Zombie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great question. I don't think any war is "justified". As far as rationalization goes, I think that we live in a fallen world where negative things are sometimes necessary. Chemotherapy, for example, is the taking of life, but we do it because it takes life which threatens our own. Similarly, in theory, war could be rationalized if we fight them not because we want to, but because we have to.
2006-08-06 11:24:36 · answer #8 · answered by Do Uno? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are using your "faith" to support your social views. So called "Christians" who take some portion or position from the Bible to support their personal believes to the exclusion of the remaining teachings of the Bible may be more dangerous than those who have never read it. Clearly Jesus was "love" and peace but he also used force to resist injustice.
2006-08-06 11:10:47 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Live for God. Thats where TRUE happiness lies. Nobody should make fun of anyone, because we are all His children are we not. No one should discriminate either.
"My first and foremost commandment is that you love the Supreme Being with all your mind, heart and enitre being. My second commandment is that you love your neighbors as well as yourself."-Jesus
If you're a so-called Christian trying applying Jesus' rules and judge your own self."Gopala Govinda Rama Madana Mohana"
2006-08-06 10:58:48 · answer #10 · answered by Veebsterz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋