Question for everyone?

Question

Agnostic here, not trying to convert anyone.

Someone stated in an earlier question that "the world is less violent because of Jesus Christ" paraphrasing.

George Bush said Jesus was his favorite philospher.
We are fighting wars against "evil-doers".
Why aren't we praying for an enemy and turning the other cheek and having peace talks with the enemy?
Why is it "You are either with us or against us"

Is the world a less violent place because of Jesus?

Onward Christian solider, off to Iraq and the gates of hell.

Not Christian bashing, not military bashing either, was in for four years and I love my military brothers and sisters, I just want peace and not war.

Jesus said, "come not to bring peace". Why?

Answer 1

Preacher- How do we get spiritual growth out of war? Isn’t that sort of a contradiction in terms? And
Dzeyoyo123- If people who are true Christians know the answer to peace, then why don’t they share it? Why don’t they teach a message of love and tolerance for all? Why are our Christian leaders waging wars? I think the world will tolerate peace, how are Christians being held back? How is Jim_Darwin creating strife by merely questioning your reasoning?
I love Jim_Darwin’s questions but I never answer them because I address the answers! I swear I have got to stop doing that!

Answer 2

"George Bush said Jesus was his favorite philospher." So. I like eating fried shrimp. Does that thus mean that every time I go to a restaraunt I'm there to eat fried shrimp? Bush wasn't thus saying that because he likes Jesus that everything that he does as president is to spread Christianity.
"We are fighting wars against 'evil-doers'": What's wrong with that statement? Saddam HusINsein and his regime were nice guys? Weren't they cookin' up no good for the rest of us?
"Why aren't we praying for an enemy and turning the other cheek and having peace talks with the enemy?" You aren't supposed to keep turning the other cheek forever. Peace talks? You mean leave an enemy there to just regear and to be turned loose on the good people who helped us and who want real peace and justice? Didn't we do that in Vietnam? Maybe we learned a lesson.
"Why is it 'You are either with us or against us'" It's those who are against us that we are going after in Iraq. (The others can go on a picnic if they'd like. Think their enemies would let them?)
"Is the world a less violent place because of Jesus?" As I said, we're not there to invite people to Sunday school. Is the world a less violent place because of Muhammad? Is it a less violent place because of Jehovah? Is it a less violent place because of Mickey Mouse?
"Onward Christian solider...." So the United States of America only sends Christians into battle. Are recruiters asking who will die for Jesus?
"Jesus said, 'come not to bring peace'. Why?" The Bible says he instructed his disciples to spread his gospel and to do good in doing so (healing the sick and so on). The reference about not bringing peace is a reference to the division that the disciples will undoubtedly cause in families and communities by spreading that gospel, not in spreading Christianity through a jihad-like fashion. He wanted the religion spread peacefully. He didn't want threats of death to be used in spreading his message. He instructed the disciples to leave those in peace who did not accept, shaking the dirt off their feet as they left (so as to leave that place completely) and to take nothing away (not even dust) from that person.

Answer 3

That's a few questions there.
We're not praying for the enemy and turning the other cheek because that is simply not the American way. I mean America certainly has SOME Christian undertones and most Americans claim to be Christians.
And maybe we're not turning the other cheek because that only applies when someone slaps you. Or when someone steals your cloak you give him your sandals (or whatever the rest of that story was). Maybe we're fighting this war because we want to smoke em out and chase after them. Jesus never said not to hunt and kill the enemy.

The world isn't less violent because of Jesus. And I'm not knocking Jesus. He had the right idea. Forgive. Forgive and you shall be forgiven. Do not judge or you too shall be judged and all of that. But honestly - people are people. We're bloodthirsty and war-hungry. And that's about all there is to it.

I'm not trying to bash our government or the war or Jesus or anything like that. I'm pretty much just trying to bash mankind as a whole. War sucks. I'm sick of it and I'm sick of seeing the people I love deployed off to foreign lands. But that's just me.

Answer 4

So it would seem that Bill Clinton was more Christian-like than George Bush who parades and flaunts his religion in order to get support from the majority of Americans (Christians).

Now I am not a huge fan of Bill Clinton but he was a good President. He wanted to at least attempt to work out issues before going and dropping bombs like a mad man. 'Peace talks with the enemy' as you put it. That seems much more Jesus-like or Christian-like to me.

Like I stated above, I believe that George Bush is merely flaunting his religion to get support. If he were a true Christian he would live by "turning the other cheek" and "loving thy enemy". He would attempt to peacefully solve these issues instead of jumping straight into war.

But then again, doesn't the Bible say "An eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth"? So confusing. I guess it's merely a matter of which part of the Bible the 'Christian' individual decides they would rather follow. (You know, since they can pick and choose and all.)

Answer 5

First of all, don't confuse Christ with religion. Jesus was never the cause of any war; though the different ways people view Him often are. If we stopped bickering over my Church versus your Church, and actually lived the way He told us to, there would have been a lot fewer wars in our history.

It's an interesting question: the world may be a more peaceful place because of Jesus. But it is definitely a LESS peaceful place because of George W. Bush: the Anti-Christ.

Answer 6

Jesus came NOT to bring peace to the world but peace to the inner man thru reconciliation to God the Father by the redemptive work of Jesus (i.e., believe and receive)...a "gift" that you cannot earn. In the world there will be no peace because the "souls" (mind / will / emotions) of unreconciled men are not subject to the indwelling power of God the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they do not love God supremely and all men equally...they "do what is right in their own minds". And quess what...even reconcilled men can make bad or wrong decisions because reconciliation of the soul takes a lifetime...it's and ongoing process! Unfortunately, peace in the world comes after victory and is sustained by dominating power. This "can't we all just get along" just won't work! Would't it be nice if there was another answer. There will always be the Bully, those that will be Bullied, and those who will stand up to and kick the Bully's butt...it's a choice. And butt kicking isn't pretty...people get hurt...or killed.

Answer 7

Good point. Peace would be so nice. That's one of the things I really like about Wicca. It is very peaceful and nature loving. I'm not really a wiccan, I don't have anyone to practice it with, or a coven at all. But, I've done a couple of little bindings and silly love spells for fun. I don't pray to anyone or anything. I just wish people would stop being so violent in order to get what they want. I agree with Artemis Gordon from "Wild, Wild West" when he said problems should be able to be solved without violence. When someone resorts to violence it constitutes a failure on their behalf to come up with a peaceable solution.

Answer 8

Jesus did come to bring peace, but it only comes to those who believe in Him. It's a spiritual peace from within. Loving your enemies and praying for them is correct, but we must look at the reality of our world today - we (and others) have been attacked by terrorists who are fighting their own version of a holy war. It's impossible to be at peace with these people because they have been raised with hatred toward Americans and Israel, and anyone else who lives free.

If you want peace in your own heart and spirit, then Jesus is definitely the way. He can and does bring peace, even in the midst of turmoil. I know from my own life's experience, all 52 years of it.

Answer 9

The scripture you are referring to is specifically talking about family. Jesus knew that His coming will separate families because some choose to accept Christ and some choose not to accept Christ. And war is everywhere from tribe to tribe to nation to nation. Its always going to be here until Jesus comes the third time to rule on earth with peace

Answer 10

Well, I don't see where Jesus made it less violent. If it was less violent because of Jesus... the religion that has him as the item of worship ended that real quick by taking us directly into the Dark Ages.

And there is only one verse that says "if they are not with us, they are against us"... there are 2 that say "if they are not against us, then they are for us" (meaning they aren't trying to stop them).