Theological Query?

Question

Could someone furnish me with clarification on how it is that right wing Christians condone and support a "Holy War" or as the Prez has termed it (Crusade) in the killing of thousands of innocent children and women by our troops in Iraq, especially in light of the fact that the 9/11 Commission and various members of the Republican leadership have determined Iraq had NOTHING to do with 9/11? I am unable to find or discern any passages in the New and Old Testaments of my Good Book, where Jesus would have ordered the murdering of innocent children and women in His Good Name. Is it possible that there is a Christian bible out there that includes chapters where Jesus orders the killing of the innocent in His name? The 1st ed of the KJB included 11 commandments whereby reformed Protestants were to obey thy Monarch, but even they did not accept this edition at it was revised back to Moses' original 10. Many thanks. Please remain objective; fundamentalists need not reply. Thank u.

Answer 1

Not sure that this particular war meets the criteria set forth by St. Augustine....but - perhaps you should read-up a bit on the "Just War Theory".

St. Thomas Aquinas also addressed this in his Summa Theologica.

Aquinas developed principles of ‘the just war’, in order to reconcile the moral imperatives which the Churches have traditionally upheld; with the realities of the statesmen who must deal with external threat to their citizens. Aquinas outlined his Just War theory in that section of his teachings which dealt with charity. The three tests for war suggested by Aquinas are

Just cause;
Competent authority;
Right intention.

Answer 2

We can go about this several ways, but I'll take on the Iraqi violence first. First, we will note that we are, at this point in time, in a war in Iraq. So, I will exclude discussion of what ever reason Mr. President Bush had for starting the war, which appears to be bad intelligence, oil (economics almost always is economics involved in war), and a desire to be done with a tyrant.

We note that at this point, most of the innocents are massacred by anti-government militias, who are also anti-America and are renounced repeatedly by the religion they would claim as their own.

I don't think a Grand Ayatolla would recommend using a home with a toddler as a base of operation. I just can't imagine it.

What you're looking for, though, is old news, that the US probably shouldn't have gone. All I can say, is that what's done is done, and what happens next needs to be more about respect and dignity for human life than deciding based on strictly selfish reason or strict religion.

Answer 3

Long has the religion of xtianity in particular been used as a means and machine of war. Most xtians gloss over the parts of the bible that do not fit their current agenda, especially those in power. Yes we are at war with a country that has never fired a shot at us. It is about $, power and control. Religion is just the "buzzword" that gets the sheep to agree with the war. That is why there has been such a campaign to "demonize" muslims and arab ppl in general. Typical psychological manipulation. No surprises here.

Answer 4

Those are just the dumb ones. Im Christian and pretty much right wing but I dont support Bush or the war. I think we should have retaliated after 9/11 but not made it a whole war or even implied it was a "Holy" thing.

Answer 5

You are right; and I may be referred to as a fundamentalist., literalist, extremist or any other ist if you like.

No Jesus does not condone, endorse or command the killing of innocent men, women or children anywhere in the Bible.

In the Old Testament, many people's llives, (including some of the children of Israel) were abbreviated either by God removing His protection or by God working through other nations whenever they turned from the pure, holy worship of God to the degrading practices involved with sun worship.

The lives that were cut short by God were suffering the pain and bondage that human selfishness always leads to.

The people were offering children on altars of fire to sun gods, having sex with animals, committing incest and many other wicked things outlined in Deuteronomy. In mercy to them and those directly affected by them, God shortened their earthly existence. He put an end to their misery and suffering.

Jesus Christ is a perfect revelation of the character of God; and a Christian is someone who is striving by God's grace to present a clearer and clearer revelation fo the character of Christ.

The people you refer to may be termed "right wing" but by no means should they be termed Christians. This is the essential point of clarification

Show N Tell

Answer 6

I don't know of ANY conservatives that want to kill women and children. You aren't gonna find anything in the Bible for that either. Your info is way off. It wasn't a HOLY war. Saddam played games and we called his bluff

Answer 7

Interesting, You do not want what you call a "Fundamentalist" to reply, only people who will tell you what you want to hear,,sounds very much like you have already made up your mind on the issue and want only "biased" answers that parallel what you want.

But I will reply regardless.

The Assemblies of God position on war and conscientious objectors states: "As a Movement we affirm our loyalty to the government of the United States in war or peace. We shall continue to insist, as we have historically, on the right of each member to choose for himself whether to declare his position as a combatant [one who willingly serves in positions of violence], a noncombatant [one who serves only in nonviolent ways], or a conscientious objector [one who refuses to participate in any form of military service because of personal convictions regarding war]." (Article XXII of the Bylaws)

The implications of the above statement are clear. The Assemblies of God is committed to a position of loyalty to the government. Second, that loyalty is not imperiled by the presence of war. And third, all members are encouraged to exercise their personal convictions in how they will respond during times of war whether combatant, noncombatant, or as a conscientious objector.

What are the biblical principles which support this position? 1) The Scriptures call for civic loyalty: "Everyone must submit himself to governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1). 2) On occasion, those authorities must bear arms: "He does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer" (Romans 13:4). 3) The Scriptures call for the employment of personal conscience in all matters. "Each of us will give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12).

In light of this, how are we to understand the sixth commandment: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13)? The Hebrew word used here (raisach) in the ancient manuscripts is descriptive of an act of willful and personal vengeance. While the outcome may be similar to the killings of war, the motive and driving force are quite different. The language of Exodus 20:13 does not suggest that we are to disallow participation in war, even if that participation involves killing. The preservation of peace and tranquillity sometimes makes this response imperative.

The Assemblies of God as a Movement deplores war. Therefore we are committed to its avoidance as much as accountability, sensibility, and responsibility allow. This will be the necessary posture, until the Prince of Peace–Jesus Christ—establishes His reign over a world that is now characterized by violence, wickedness, and war.

Answer 8

Every act of the US and Coalition merceneries is an UnChristian Act in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Answer 9

Keep in mind, W and company have a well-established pattern for ignoring everything except what they have chosen to believe.

Answer 10

no but throughout the old testament, god commanded the death of many women children and other innocents. god himself even killed thousands upon thousands of people.