How do you Christians in support of the war in Iraq, and war in general, justify killing when Jesus said NO??

Question

throughout the NEW Testament (don't go quoting me any of that "eye for an eye" Old Testament stuff), Jesus consistently and very clearly spoke against violence, preached a nonviolent approach (turn the other cheek), and nowhere in the New Testament is killing or war condoned or approved. The only time violence was used (Peter slicing the centurion's ear) Jesus uses it to show how fruitless violence is (those who live by the sword, die by the sword). Did George Bush, a supposed born again Christian, forget to read those parts of the Bible?? How do you Christians who support the killing of over 50,000 Iraqis justify your support in direct opposition to Jesus' teachings?? How do you sleep at night????

note to Chippy and others who can't READ. I said JESUS. NEW TESTAMENT. NOT OLD TESTAMENT. Get a clue and get that Old Testament baloney out of here. Pay attention next time.

also--note to the pro-lifers. If all life is sacred why are you supporting the killing of 50,000 innocent Iraqi civilians? Are you God? Do you get to judge whose life is sacred and whose is not?? You hypocrites

also--note to the clueless. We invaded Iraq. We aren't defending our home. So don't give me that crap about defending our families. We invaded Iraq. Would Jesus have supported this war? I think not

further message to the clueless--what does the war in Iraq have to do with 9/11? We have already established that there were no WMD and no connection btw Iraq and 9/11, remember??? wow, this question sure is bringing out the morons

Answer 1

Just for the record, I'm a Christian who is opposed to this war.

PS
George Bush is a pseudochristian.

Answer 2

I'm a Christian who does not support the war. However, I care about, pray for, and support our troops. I've always disagreed with sending our people there, and especially now that NO weapons of mass destruction were found. We have now lost MORE people than we lost in the World Trade Centers. What sense does that make? I might agree with going to the Middle East and hitting every cave until we got Osama, but starting a war with Iraq is not only a huge loss of life, but is a financial disaster. It was irresponsible on our leaders' part. No one in the world would have blamed us for going after Bin Laden, but the war with Iraq has stirred up much hate and disrespect for the US. Besides the biblical reasons you gave, there are many more reasons this Christian hates the war.

Answer 3

In brief, I don't blame you for not liking the war as both many nonChristians and Christians are not in favor of the war, and many nonChristians and Christians are in favor of the war.

This answer is not intended to either support or attack the issues regarding the war.

However, the Bible does support war in times of national defense. In Exodus 11 the commandment speaks of not murdering which is different than not killing. The difference is in the motives as one of the above posters explained in more detail.

Proverbs 20:18 does not say don't wage war, but it says "if you wage war...":
Make plans by seeking advice;
if you wage war, obtain guidance.

Ecclasiastes 3:8 says that there is "a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."

These underlying principles of the Old Testament did not suddenly stop when the New Covenant came into the world. Jesus' teachings are an elaboration on the principles of the Old Testament. They aren't separated just because they are in different sections. If you noticed, when the Pharisees and the Saducees attempted to trick Jesus by asking questions that they thought would trap him, He always answered them by citing the Scriptures of the Old Testament that spoke to their beliefs.

If President Bush does believe that he was protecting the country to his best ability by initiating the war in Iraq, then he was bound by his beliefs to take those steps. The bipartisan 9/11 comission did conclude that many many mistakes were made, but that the country was much safter without Saddam Hussain. Certainly history and God will judge Bush on his decisions, as we will all be judged.

Regarding killing, do you have the same harsh opinion of those who believe in Hadith Al-Tirmidhi in the Book of Sunah (volume IV, chapters on The Features of Paradise as described by the Messenger of Allah, chapter 21, About the Smallest Reward for the People of Paradise?

Answer 4

The Ten Commandments says we should not _murder_. It does not say we cannot defend ourselves. War has been a part of life since Lucifer decided he could be as powerful as God.

And you're incorrect in your assertion that there is no war in the New Testament. Have you read Revelation? You quote Jesus, but do you realize that one of the two men seen with Jesus at his glorification (before the ascention) was Moses -- a man who conducted war on behalf of God and the Isrealites?

To serve one's country, and in doing so, kill someone who is threatening your life or those of your fellow soldiers is not murder.

If someone breaks into your house and threatens your family with deadly force, and you have the opportunity to defend yourself -- and that opportunity gives you no other good choice but to kill the intruder -- that is not murder.

You need to put the biblical rules in context. Murder is wrong. Killing, if necessary, is not. Whether or not what is going on around the world -- by MANY governments -- is wrong or not, is not part of my debate on the topic.

Again, I am NOT specifically approaching the subject of the war in Iraq as it has nothing to do with the Bible, nor the original question you asked regarding Jesus or biblical teachings.

Answer 5

Most of the time, people like you will think whatever you want about christians. You don't really want an answer. you want your other AntiChristian friends to say how cool you are for finding another problem with the Christian faith.

I, Unlike you have looked up the context of this verse. Peter cuts off the soldier's ear and says "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me."

Jesus hasn't rebuked Peter for defending his lord. He has stopped him from preventing his death, which pays for our sins.
By the way, do you think that a majority of the 50,000 Iraqis we have slaughtered weren't shooting back.
Nice twisting of the facts, though.

Answer 6

Well, let's see other verses of the good book christians live for and by... This one should do , what do you think ? Suppose you hear in one of the towns the LORD your God is giving you that some worthless rabble among you have led their fellow citizens astray by encouraging them to worship foreign gods. In such cases, you must examine the facts carefully. If you find it is true and can prove that such a detestable act has occurred among you, you must attack that town and completely destroy all its inhabitants, as well as all the livestock. Then you must pile all the plunder in the middle of the street and burn it. Put the entire town to the torch as a burnt offering to the LORD your God. That town must remain a ruin forever; it may never be rebuilt. Keep none of the plunder that has been set apart for destruction. Then the LORD will turn from his fierce anger and be merciful to you. He will have compassion on you and make you a great nation, just as he solemnly promised your ancestors. "The LORD your God will be merciful only if you obey him and keep all the commands I am giving you today, doing what is pleasing to him." (Deuteronomy 13:13-19 NLT)

Answer 7

True. I personally will NOT defend the war in Iraq but in other wars like WWII it was necessary to go in and stop the Axis of evil no matter what the bible said. Also I am not a Christian.

Answer 8

Okay, what do you suppose we do? Ignore it and hope it goes away? Say it's ' no our problem ', hide behind the bible and justify watching countless needless murders by an oppressive and cruel dictator behind a wall of " Thou shalt nots "?

You make it sound like 9/11 never happened. You make it sound like we woke up one day and said " let's go slaughter a few thousand people today. Ah, that looks like a good spot over there!"

You're an ignorant fool. Morality is a luxury. If you're strong enough to keep the evil at bay and protect your own, then you can pursue such endeavors has " Spiritual Enlightenment " But in the meant time, let's just try to survive.

Answer 9

How the hell do you sleep at night you muslim lover and God Hater , You ever think for once in that pea brain of yours that it is better to fight these people on there soil are would you rather they come here and walk into are restaurants and blow little children to smitherings ,your one of these people that have so much hatred for christianity that you would do any thing including taking 911 and blaming Christians for it , Do me a favor and go live in Pakistan and see if you can come agaisnt there so called god .Let me tell you how i support it .I pray for every American Soldier every night that they will come home safe and we in America can have the freedom we once had ,And dont say we support Killing we dont like war any more than any body else does and that includesthe President of the United States of America

Answer 10

Even the Bush administration can't justify the Iraq invasion. When it became clear that they were wrong, or lied, about the weapons of mass destruction their case fell apart. Since then they babble about fighting terror but there's never been so much terrror as there is since the U.S. invaded Iraq. The Bush administration f***ed up big time.

Answer 11

No war is good! No killing is good! Jesus did preach love and not hate. Unfortunately there are a lot of people in this world that do not hold to his truth "love thy neighbor as you love thy shelf". It is the cowardness of the ungodly that are killing the inocent. Eveyone suffers when there is war not iraquis. If everyone did what jesus commanded there would be no war anywhere's.