Why do many christians, NOT ALL, think the US should police the world?

Question

I'm not in any way trying to dis christians, I've just always believed that the Bible advocates peace.

The reason I asked this question is because I question the Christians beliefs who start wars. I always though that the bible says thou shall not kill. I didn't think there was any fine print. But I may have missed the memo.

Answer 1

gotta remember there is a difference between christians and neocons professing christianity. big difference.

Answer 2

I think that is the problem with religion (not only Christianism): it is so often used to evil ends. For instance the concept of holy war is a complete non sense, how could a war be something holy?
You are perfectly right about the Bible, it says "you shall not kill", but people like Bush who are leading so many wars and always say that God will help them through and help them bring freedom to the world don't seem to remember it. Christians may feel that way towards the US because it is a christian country, so they feel represented by it. Personnally i think we would all be better if the US stopped trying to police the world even for issues they don't know and understand anything about.

Answer 3

Why do you think the absence of action equates to peace? You don't achieve peace by starting reckless wars, and you don't achieve peace by doing nothing in the face of evil. I'm not Christian, but among the Christians who think the US should take a more active role in international politics, I imagine they believe as they do because there are people around the world who genuinely need help. And Christians are of the stripe who think human beings are obligated to help when there's a need and a way.

Answer 4

Christians do not advocate the US "policing" the world. It just so happens that we are the only country strong enough to take action when dictators and other totalitarian regimes try to take away the freedom of another, weaker nation. We want everyone to be free and to be able to take care of their own countries, but sadly that is sometimes not the case. That's why so many people flock to America, because they have not cleaned up their own governments, through weakness or lack of national will. Since we have a history of acting as the protective "daddy" of other countries, many seem to spend their money on other interests besides defense, knowing that we will always step up to the plate when asked. That's not a christian phenomenon, it's an American one. Many of our nation's patriots are not Christians, they're just good people.

Answer 5

I'm a Christian, and I think that Christians of other countries are be killed for their faith. In the constitution, the USA is bound to help other people in other countries who are being persecuted because of their faith. If you read the whole bible, you'll find out that the bible doesn't only advocate peace, but war, and justice. You shouldn't believe in something, unless you've actually have read what you believe it is.

Answer 6

It also advocates personal freedom.
Should a Christian tolerate rampant slavery?
FYI it still exists, and since the onset of "political correctness" it is even flourishing.
Should we stand by and do nothing while millions are massacred?
Or simply sell more ammo to the murderers? Assuming of course we are allowed to call them murderers...?

FYI, I am not an American. But given the choice of US "policing" and chinese, Islamist or Russian "policing" (and THAT is the choice) I'll choose US any time.

Simple choice really- Coke and McDonalds or a bullet in the neck...

Answer 7

That has nothing to do with Christianity. That is a secular government issue.


EDIT:

The text is actually, "Thou shalt not murder". It is also stated that there is a time for every season.

We don't want war. As Christians, real Christians, we dislike war but also know that sometimes it's necessary. Look back to the days of Joshua or King David. God helped them win wars.

Sometimes, you have to defend yourself or fight for yourself. God doesn't want you to lose or give up.

As I said, though. Acting as the world police is a secular issue and not a religious one.

Answer 8

it is not a matter of policing the world and you're right, the Bible does advocate peace.

i don't see the act of going to war to be influenced so much by religion as it is by our nation's right to protect ourselves #1 and #2, protect the rights of others.

in this post, you are addressing the 2nd reason:

we, as a nation, can't stand quietly by when witnessing acts of genocide and blatant inhumanity. just as i could not stand quietly by watching my neighbor beat his dog, child or, wife. i would act not out of my religious beliefs when calling the authorities, but instead, out of my overall innate sense of right and wrong and empathy for the victim.

likewise, it isn't a religious decision to stay in iraq. it is a moral decision based upon our obligation to help put that country back together and restore peace to it's residents.

many will argue that 'morality' has nothing to do with our staying there and i must agree that there are varying reasons.

however, it has everything to do with my support of our staying there and that is good enough for me.

i hope that makes sense.

Answer 9

Christians are a strange lot. Their god is all-powerful, all knowing, yet they still feel the need to kill in his name. I mean after all, if god is so powerful nobody could defeat him, why bother collecting followers at the point of a sword?

He will be infinitely powerful no matter how many or how few followers he has.

Just one of many quirks of organized religion.

Answer 10

Because they (not all) have decided that God's decision of allowing people to make a choice for themselves means nothing.

God gave humans the right to CHOOSE Him. When people force one to follow...it takes away from God's plan and eventually pushes people away.

Answer 11

I'm a Christian....and I"m not tring to sound like a jerk...but this is the first time I've ever heard this