Didn't Jesus tell us to be non-violent? That what the heck are we doing in Iraq?

Answer 1

Yes, Jesus did say that his followers must love their enemies, not go to war against them.
We look forward to the fulfillment of this prophecy at Isaiah 2:4--"And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
The wars fought in modern times, including now, do not have God's approval and are not just wars. In Biblical times Jehovah God directed ancient Israel to use warfare to take possession of the land that he himself designated as their inheritance and to execute people whose depraved practices and defiance of the true God caused Jehovah to view them as being no longer fit to live. (Deut. 7:1, 2, 5; 9:5; Lev. 18:24, 25)
In the Law covenant God laid down rules for warfare that he would approve, stipulating exemptions and the manner in which this warfare was to be carried out. Such were truly holy wars of Jehovah. That is not true of the carnal warfare of any nation today.
With the establishing of the Christian congregation, a new situation came into existence. Christians are not under the Mosaic Law. Christ’s followers were to make disciples of people of all nations; so worshipers of the true God would in time be found in all those nations. However, what is the motive of those nations when they go to war? Is it to carry out the will of the Creator of all the earth or is it to further some nationalistic interest? If true Christians in one nation were to go to war against another nation, they would be fighting against fellow believers, against people who prayed for help to the same God that they did. Appropriately, Christ directed his followers to lay down the sword. (Matt. 26:52) He himself, glorified in the heavens, would henceforth carry out the execution of those who showed defiance of the true God and His will.—2 Thess. 1:6-8; Rev. 19:11-21.
As true Christians, we do not go to war, but we follow the commandment to be peaceable with all men, love our enemies and pray for those who hate and persecute us.

Answer 2

No, Jesus didn't tell us to be non-violent. When He was talking about turning the other cheek that had to do with not responding to a personal insult. But right before He laid down his life He told his disciples this about self protection.

"Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me." And he said to them, "When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?" They said, "Nothing." He said to them, "But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. Luke 22:34-36

Iraq was a nation that supported international terrorism run by a murderous dictator who was bent on developing weapons of mass destruction like the poison gases he used to murder his own people. Fortunately President Bush seems to have better understanding of the Bible than some of his critics.

"For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:3-4

Answer 3

I disagree withe the first answer; "Jesus did not stay out of politics". He said "Give what is Ceaser'r to Ceaser" about taxes and raised hell with Jewish money lenders in the temple. So he was really a rabble rouser and I like that part about him.

When the book says an eye for an eye It's really not non violence.

I think it was Ghandi who defeated the Mighty British empire with non violence.

What we do in Iraq is wht many delusioned leaders do and did.

Answer 4

There is a war against Islamic terrorism.

I guess America could forgive the terrorists and forget about protecting American people. Because it will make them happy if we let them take over Iraq. But then what will they have to fight for? America, so then there would be more 9/11s.

Then they would win the battle and wipe Israel off the map and take over America and stomp our constitution under their feet. I guess that would be awful. So I don't think the leaders in America are that stupid.

Answer 5

Good question. I think that the christian community, not all, but the so called republican base, has looked to the old testament at an eye for an eye along with a misguided belief that you are not a patriot if you do not support what your government does. They cannot separate supporting your troops vs supporting your president. Christians, just because someone says they are a christian doesn't mean that they are or that they follow Christ's example. Look at what is happening in the name of God, is that what you want the world to look at you and believe about YOU?!

Answer 6

i dont understand how people who call themselves christain can go to war, like if war is just about politics which is a different thing to religion then thats a great excuse to ignore everything Jesus said, oh im killing some one but its politic so its non of Jesuses business.
Oh and 9\11 im sick of hearing about it now, it has become an excuse to do terrible things to the world. Like how many people have to die to make people feel better about 9\11? Like imagine if some people killed by America bombs decided okay this is our 9\11 lets kill and just kept killing until we win, where would that end up? Jesus said to love your enemies. Look at Gandi, look what he did. Or should Amercia just keep bombing until bombs and missiles are flying in all directions and every child is growing up in a world with one thing in mind, kill the people who killed my parents?

Answer 7

Every thing is gods will too .We should just accept the 9/11 attacks as a warning from god too .Right ? NOT.
We are responsible for ourselves . there is no god to protect us .
Try this test . Pray to god not to let you die ,then go to the edge of the grand canyon and jump off .fall over a 1000 feet ,hitting the rocks and see if he "SAVED " you from dying .
Come on ,you have faith don`t you ???????

Answer 8

Jesus also stayed out of politics and said he was no part of this world....meaning that he would not part-take in things that God did not approve of. I don't think this war has anything to do with serving God or obeying Jesus's teachings

Answer 9

I used to think that until I was working in an innercity school and children would line up to go to their next class and a bully would walk down the line and... hurt every single child in various ways. The children were trying to learn not to fight, and they would just stand there and take it. The bully was very large. What would you do? O.K. WWJD?

Answer 10

wars arent a pleasant thing, but our freedom has to be fought for.
anything worth having is worth fighting for. in the OT there were wars...Warfare was part of the life of the Old Testament people of God. At times, God himself commanded Israel to go to war.