I am normally one to answer many questions, but this is one question that I have to ask. I am a Christian and feel as though I have reached a point of maturity where I now create peace with others in the name of GOD. And yet, we fight a war in the name of GOD, so I am confused. During the Catholic Crusades, a war was fought in the name of GOD to remove the Muslims from Israel. Then Saladin rose up and fought the Christians (he was Muslim) in the name of GOD. The Germans fought the Americans saying (translated) GOD is with us and Americans said the same thing. Christians say that GOD is with us in a role as an occupier in Iraq while the Muslim extremist claim that they are fighting a holy war. Yet I am a man of peace. So my question is this: Am I wrong to create peace with others of different nationalities and religions? Or do I take sides in the war saying GOD is with us. I am of the personal belief that GOD is a GOD of peace and I wanted to know what others think.
2007-06-23 04:03:48 · 18 answers · asked by Raptor 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
True christians learn war no more.
(Micah 4:3) . . .they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war anymore.
(2 Corinthians 10:4) For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things.
Any war concerning the Jews in the Bible if you look it up that had God's backing not one follower on the side of God died in the fight. They just had to obey God's direction and then God himself would do the fighting and slay on their behalf by doing it with his own hand or summoning the use of one of his angels.
How many wars that christianity have fought in the name of God have claimed many of their lives?
The crusades and World Wars have claimed millions of lives each side and often both sides had their churches blessing their troops to kill each others brethren.
The wars that Christendom fight in are actually politcal wars of nations and nothing to do with the fight for God. Patriotism and nationality is the idol that is sacrificed to.
In WW1 and WW2 for example a christian could kill another christian on the basis they were from opposing nations.
The Bible clearly states:
(1 Corinthians 10:20) . . .I say that the things which the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not want YOU to become sharers with the demons.
2007-06-23 04:12:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christan's may fight in the name of God for things that are wrong, but who's to say those things are wrong? Sure some things are wrong and obviously immoral in which we need to stand-up against, Like pornography, immorality, murder and other sins. But most of things things involve helping those that have fallen and preventing others from falling. Although fighting literal wars is unavoidable, most are not directed by God. Even though his name is invoked doesn't make it a righteous war. In fact, most "righteous wars" were fought over the usual differences in culture, land and power. Religion has just become a great excuse to incite more people to help in the cause. Although God, himself, has called a war before for righteous reasons, (Jericho for example), and to Defend ones home and culture from outside threat's is also noble. To cause a war in the name of God is another form of blasphemy, and is really about personal agendas and power.
Your are not wrong being at peace and tolerant to other cultures, that's the way God wants it. After-all, if God didn't want so many different and wrong cultures, then why would he even allow it. No, God is Love and tolerance, but man is about personal power and suppressing everyone else.
2007-06-23 04:11:25 · answer #2 · answered by Coool 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just because someone says he's doing something in the name of God doesn't make it so. The Crusades are a prime example. I don't know that the war we're currently in is one where God said to do it.
Yes, we should be trying to be peaceful with others, but we (as in the country) have an obligation to help other countries. That sometimes means war.
2007-06-23 04:45:00 · answer #3 · answered by Machaira 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Am I wrong to create peace with others of different nationalities and religions?" - No.
"I am of the personal belief that GOD is a GOD of peace and I wanted to know what others think." - Yes, the God of Christianity is a God not only of peace, but of love.
"Or do I take sides in the war saying GOD is with us." - There is this concept of a 'Just War' in Christianity. The criteria is pretty tough. Fyi, Pope John Paul II agreed with the American intervention in Bosnia, but warned Bush '..he will have to answer God' when Bush was about to embark on Iraq.
2007-06-23 04:10:55 · answer #4 · answered by autumnleaves 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can be friends with anyone of any religion or background. Take your own side. Stand up for your own beliefs. If you believe in Christ, proclaim Christ. Do not cower or be silent.
Still, I think that Christians can be friends with people of other faiths. Most often, these people of other faiths share the same values as we do. But I even think we can be friends with people who have different values! We can love someone with out supporting the things they believe or do which go against our value system.
Few wars have ever been truly about religion. Religion is just used as cover or a name for something else. Wars are always about land, resources, and political power.
In the case of Iraq, its justa total mess. I think there is good and evil on both sides.
Good luck and God Bless.
2007-06-23 04:12:58 · answer #5 · answered by Zezo Zeze Zadfrack 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes GOD is GOD of peace. HE does not encourage wars, hatred or anything negative. GOD is light, in HIM there is no darkness at all. He is pure. Yes you are in the right path to create peace with others. The question is if others will accept your peace offer. Just do the best you can, stay positive, loving and fully persuaded about what you know is right. Do not condemn, feel guilty or blame yourself if someone rejects the peace you are offering. Wars are from men not GOD.
2016-05-18 02:26:57 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As I was going to church one morning we pulled up behind a car with a bumper sticker which read “War is Not the Answer”. Now whether you agree or disagree with a particular war does not seem to be in view. This slogan appears to be say thing that war is NEVER the answer. While there are many times war is not the answer, in some contexts, it is the only answer. To say otherwise is to show great ignorance and would be a dangerous philosophy if adhered to by a nation.
In the scripture we have lawful and unlawful ways of killing others. What do I mean by unlawful means? In the book of Genesis, Cain rose up in anger and murdered his brother. However later in 1st Samuel we read of David going out and killed Goliath with his sling. Was Cain wrong and David right? How are these occurrences different?
We are told in the New Testament that God has given us the civil magistrate in order to defend a nation against evil (Romans 13:1-7). It is also tells us that the civil magistrate does not bear the sword in vain. That is the civil magistrate has the power to take away life in the defense of their nation. One of the means would be warfare. This is a God warranted allowance for killing. David was a soldier and knew more people would die if he did not stand up against Goliath – and so with the king’s authority and God’s blessing he fought and killed Goliath – and was properly praised for it. The affect of David’s killing preserved the lives of Israel’s soldiers. Just as a modern day example could be given of soldier, fighting and killing others in a battle field because the civil magistrate has a duty to protect their citizen’s against a tyrannical ruler (e.g. Hitler) and to preserve the lives of the citizenry of the nation.
2007-06-23 04:14:14 · answer #7 · answered by Brian 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
When a person says "I am fighting because of god", I want to say : you'll burn in hell.
God never ask to kill other people because they don't follow your rules for religion.
In Europe, people died in the 16st and 17st century because they decided to pray god a different way. So, what about lying god out of politics and see how many wars could disappear doing so ?!
2007-06-23 04:32:38 · answer #8 · answered by Frederic B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John 17:16 Jesus said, "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world." Certainly, if he approved of such things, he would have allowed his people to defend him as he was arrested.
2Corinthians 10:3,4 brings out, "Though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. Our weapons are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overpowering strongly entrenched things." They are spiritual weapons.
John 13:35 explains of Christians that "By this you will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." In wars, there are members of every religion on both sides. Application of this scripture shows we must have no part in them.
2007-06-23 04:23:33 · answer #9 · answered by grnlow 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God is a God of peace for sure.
People use God for things they want to do and then say it is in the name of God, which is false.
God does not want us to go around killing people and causing wars in other countries.
When a leader says they kill in His name, it is false and they are evil...
As Christians, we are to create peace amongst others, approaching the situation with Gods guidance, wisdom and knowledge. We should, however, stand up against immortality. starred your question, its a good one..
2007-06-23 04:09:32 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋