If we're really supposed to love our neighbors...?

Question

...and with the world getting smaller and smaller (figuratively of course, you know with globalization etc.), why then do people who profess to be devout christians lead us into wars against people who pose no real danger to us? I'm taking ''neighbor'' to mean more than the person who lives next door or across the street. I'm looking for an answer that addresses the issue of circumventing this basic law or christianity, the second commandment. Thank you in advance to those of you who answer seriously this immense question

Answer 1

That's a good question. However, people in the same neighborhood cannot get along so how can different countries? I believe that we should follow the principle of live and let live as long as we aren't attacked.

Answer 2

Excuse me...'lead us into wars against people who pose no real danger to us?' If you truly think the Middle East poses no danger to us, you have not been paying attention. At anywhere along the line in the past 25 years. Get a clue!
Also, the concept of 'love thy neighbors' has been badly mangled over the years. The word in no way refers to warm and fuzzy emotions, but to action.
You're right, neighbor means your fellowman.
And when God uses the word love, He means it for an action verb--and what He means for you to do in this 'loving' is to observe the Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So, if you don't mind sitting back while your neighbor is raped or tortured or mutilated or killed...that's your business, but it's a pretty poor excuse for love. And might well be what you have to look forward to, as well.
Also, before you to rant about 'professed' Christians meddling in someone else's lives, consider that at least their aims are generally admirable, even if their choices could have been better. Also consider that it is, by God's arrangement, the business of the governing to provide for the protection and prosperity of the governed. Which, since I see it is George W at whom this crack is aimed, is exactly what he was intending to do. And wouldn't have to have done, if anybody had seen to the matter the first time we let ourselves be victimized and did nothing but apologize for it. That would have been Jimmy Carter, incidentally, in case you're too young to remember Teheran.
Bear in mind, also, that those innocent Muslim's primary goal is to destroy Israel--to whom they ceded the land in the first place--and to rule the world. And they don't give a damn who it hurts, or how many atrocities they have to commit to make this goal.

Answer 3

Part of loving our neighbor is carrying out the oath that you make when you become President of the United States of America; to defend the country.

We were led into the War in Iraq because of Saddam Hussein defying good UN Security Council resolutions that were instituted, the possible threat of chemical weapons finding their way into terrorist hands, and promoting democracy in the middle east which helps quell terrorism.

By the way, the war was voted on by democrats and republicans alike overwhelmingly FOR THE WAR! Not to mention the overwhelming public support at the time. The war was not started by any church.

Answer 4

I will take the stand that everything you say is true. How does that change the meaning of "love thy neighbor", just because some disobey the command? Those people are expressing their free will by choosing not to love their neighbor.

Answer 5

, You know that in this world as it is today many are just here to get out of what they can and they plan on dying so why would they take any time out to understand others why would they be tolerant with one another. I really believe that one day and it will be sooner than we think we will be loving our neighbors. I love that ideal and hope for it.

Answer 6

Don't generalize! Not all Christians want to start a war and for those who do it's all in the name of religion and aggressive dominance over those who choose to practice demonic ways who supposely no real danger to us.

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Answer 7

>>>why then do people who profess to be devout christians lead us into wars against people who pose no real danger to us?<<

If you're referring to the people of Iraq, we "waged war" in order to liberate them from the clutches of a brutal dictator.

Standing by and doing nothing -- while our Iraqi "neighbors" continued to be bullied, harrassed, tortured, exiled, imprisoned, raped, and killed by Hussein's henchmen -- would hardly have been an act of love.

Answer 8

so, if someone who professes to be a christian leads us into war, then that is wrong, correct? but if they follow Christ's teaching and keep us out of war, then they are violating the separation of church and state, correct? how DARE you pose a question that makes me sound like a bush defender...if you will excuse me, i'm going to wrap about 3 rolls of duct tape around my head in an attempt to prevent it from exploding.....

Answer 9

Hi am a baby in Chirst but i think we just pray for them we cant controle whats going on God has plans for all of us I think everybody who dont no the Lord better start or they will be left behind.God Bless You I hope you find the write answer your looking for.

Answer 10

Read Machiavelli's The Prince. When a ruler professes to be a Christian, he isn't necessarily one.