Does following Christ mean I have to agree with the war in Iraq?

Question

I know that the Bible teaches that we are to support our leaders.
I'm a Christian and I love God with all that I am. I also know that I am to honor my leaders.
At the same time I don't agree with the war or the way it was handled.
As a Christian, what should we do when we honestly can not agree with what our leaders do?
(I ask that only Christians answer this.)

My theory about Bush is based off of Romans 13:1:

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Answer 1

Yes, but who is your leader? humans or Jesus?ALWAYS ask yourself what would Jesus would do? One of the preach that we had in our last district convention of JW, "Follow the Christ"

The only one that has the authority to take the life of someone is God and his annoited king Jesus, over of that by no other circustance we should do it, so no matter if the war was "fair war" it is wrong.

Remember the only Perfect leader that takes perfect decision is Jesus.

Answer 2

Where does the Bible say you have to support your leaders??

I don't recall Jesus and the Apostles being particularly supportive of the Romans and Pontius Pilate, which were the leaders of their region at the time.

In fact, some of the Apostles were even zealots, actively working against the Romans.

If anything, I would say that the Bible fully supports those who do not agree with their leaders, especially leaders who have gained their roles through conquest or trickery.

So no, Christians definitely do not have to agree with the war in Iraq.

Answer 3

The war in Iraq is not a just war. There are four conditions for a war to be "just".

The decision to make a legitimate defense by military force is so serious that the following conditions must be rigorously applied:

The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation (or community of nations) must be lasting, grave, and certain.
All other means (to end the aggression) must be shown to be impractical or ineffective.
There must be serious prospects of success.
Using arms must not cause graver evils or disorders. Today, the power of modern means of mass destruction demands serious evaluation of this condition.
The above four elements constitute what is called the traditional "just war" doctrine. The prudential judgment in evaluating these conditions lies with those having responsibility for the common good.

Under these four conditions, public authorities have the right and duty to impose on their citizens the obligations necessary for national defense. Armed Forces personnel are the servants of national defense and contribute to the common good.

Peace and blessings!

Answer 4

The Bible teaches that you should support your leaders, even if they are wrong?
That's illogical.
You should never agree with something that is illogical.

However, I do support the war in Iraq, and I am not a Christian or even religious. I just know right and wrong when I see it.

Answer 5

Well im Cristian and Catholic and NO you do not have to agree with the war in Iraq...my family comes from there and we don't agree...I understand where you are coming from but not everything our "leader" does is right (especially from Bush) and not every leader is gonna make the discision you want.. I'm sure god will respect your choice and point of view and it's not like you going for another religion or following the devil..I'm sure you will be fine..plus what he means by leaders might not mean the president..they might mean the preist (leaders of the church) or other ppl but if you reall really feel bad take confession...=]...trust me i just took communion class a couple years ago....God will respect your descicion...=]

Answer 6

We have no choice in the matter of Iraq.All you need to do is follow God for yourself.I don't think supporting our leaders have anything to do with our Presidents.He was talking of the religious nature not political.Follow the speakers of God and Jesus Christ.Those are the only leaders you need for this life or eternity.Jesus only honored his father none other.

Answer 7

No, being a Christian doesn't mean that you have to agree with the war.

I think that saying what you just said is the best way to protest: Respectfully.

For the record, I'm a Christian and I don't necessarily agree with the war, or the way it was handled, either. But I don't completely disagree either. I get my news straight from the soldiers who have been there, or are there now (one of my exes is there now), and what THEY tell me is completely different from what I see in the news.

Answer 8

You are doing well to question your beliefs and how Christ would approach the same situation. Not only for your soul-searching but also for your not being persuaded by the knee-jerk attitudes which see this as black and white are you also to be congratulated.
Someone said to me, not long ago, that the problem with Christianity is that it is too simplistic. I tend to agree,in part, that it is: Christ told us to love God with everything and to love our neighbor. It is a very simple rule, but I find it very difficult to practice, oftentimes failing miserably when it comes to my neighbors or co-inhabitants on the planet.
If one sees this war as freeing people who are generally peaceful and freedom loving, people who were being manipulated by a crel and vicious dictator, then that is one side of it. On another side, if one sees it as pure American greed, attempting to push its own values onto others, that is another side of it. Still another facet may be that we intended to do the right thing and yet were not able to bring that thing about, at least as yet. Each of these viewpoints and perhaps others, deserves consideration.
The sad point is that in each case, some group or groups seems to suffer. Remember that at the battle of Armageddon, Christ will be leading that battles, so righteous war is certainly within our grasp as Christians. God wants us to pray for our leaders, those who give their lives, inocently and otherwise, and those who fight against us. It is most important that we pray for our enemies, especially those who are enemies of the one true living God. Only through these things can we come to understand the truth as God sees it.
Ultimately, when we cannot agree with our leaders,much in the same way that the Christians in first century Rome did not, we must be willing to put our lives to the test for the privilege. We should never be ashamed to stand up and disagree with things when He aids us in discovering the real truth. May you find true peace in your decisions with the Lord.

Answer 9

True, the Bible does encourage people to respect and honor political leaders.
However, it is relative.
The Jewish Sanhedrin forbid the apostles from preaching.
The commission to preach came from God.
Peter replied:
"We must obey God as ruler rather than men."
Acts 5:29
When man asks something that God forbids, a choice must be made.
Is God in favor of the war in Iraq?

Answer 10

As a fundamental Christian I have not agreed 100% with how Iraq has been handled. However the most important thing that you do is pray for your leaders.

1 Timothy 2:1-3
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;