Christians -- Is Pacifism a requirement for Christianity? If so, are you a pacifist? If not...?

Question

isn't the Bible (new testament, sermon on the mount, of course) a big supporter of Pacifism?

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42, NIV)


Do you personally put this belief in to practice? Is there anything that justifies not doing so?

Answer 1

Just scanned down the first 18 answers (all there are at the moment) and noticed not one scripture quoted, tho' several said they needn't be pacifist and be christian.

Of course you would be right to assume christians are to be non-violent. The quote you've provided and several more support that belief.

And when you check out the list of christian martyrs of the first three centuries AD you realize how firm and widespread the belief was that Christians met violence with love.

Look around at the answers provided. (o.O)

Jesus inspired the church, but he did not build it. Peter was titular head of the church, but as several passages of scripture show, he wasn't the brightest candle in the box.

The church is actually the construct of Paul, who saw that a forceful, dynamic personality with a flair for drama could easily take over from these back-water hicks (remember, Paul was a Roman citizen where Peter and the others were not).

Paul must have appeared as a god-send, giving hope to the new cult being legitimized in the eyes of the Roman and offering them some protection from the Pharisees.

But Paul took over, organized the church, crowned himself spokesman of God, and proceeded to re-write the interpretations to fit the world of Imperial Rome.

Thus Paul tells the flock that the temporal authorities derive their power from the christian god, and must be obeyed as if obeying god.

Jesus didn't teach that, and Paul was never present as a disciple (and perhaps never, period) when Jesus taught.

Paul makes it up, tells people it is from God, gullible people believe him, there's your church and church policy.

You have to remember that Jesus was talking to a people who were living under Roman occupation. They were not citizens.

But that doesn't mean anything to Paul, who was a Roman citizen and enjoyed rights the others did not have.

With modern christians, given the widespread materialism amongst them, it is easy to cherry-pick the bible for reassurances and ease of conscience. But there are tens of millions of them in America right now. Do you think if they were all applying themselves diligently to what Jesus taught America would be what it is?

As I've said before: They claim Christianity with their mouths, but not their hearts.

A pity.

Answer 2

As a Christian, I have often wondered about this.

I have decided that force is necessary to protect the innocent and that the government should do the basic things necessary to maintain the peace. Personally, I forgive and try to give the cloak and all that. But you have to protect others from harm. The Bible says that it is not good to allow the wicked to prosper. It says to resist evil. I'd say, revenge is never an option for a Christian, nor is acting badly out of anger. Self-defense is cool, especially if you have a family. The death penalty is probably not cool (although the government can deem it necessary as a state institution for status quo retention) and as for the war? Who knows? I don't have all the info. Pacifism is great, but so is everything in moderation. Wisdom is glorified in Christianity and so is discernment. Both are required when considering violence. The Bible stresses spiritual resistance over physical resistance. A country should go to war for protection purposes only, that way a Christian can back it in good conscience.

Answer 3

I honestly have in simple terms achieved a e book "The Bible that dethrones Christ - and the Bible that doesn't". The argument is predicated on the basis that Jesus is Lord over each and every thing. the concept God instructions His creation to kill one yet another is what crammed the heads of primitive old testomony adult men who did not understand God in any respect till He got here and revealed Himself to them. Even then, they rejected Him. God does not command absolutely everyone to break His commandments. this might nicely be a lie from the pit. A actuality that Moses and Elijah have been probable discussing while Christ presented them to the disciples. A lie that the Romans compiled while they created the 'canon' called 'The observe of God'. The Bible is an insult to Christ and you're actual specific that once Christ comes, the 1st element he will do is, sling this abomination onto the dung heap.

Answer 4

Don't forget about Jesus' righteous anger in the Temple. There is a time and a place for anger, and also a time to be a pacifist. Pacifism is excruciatingly hard for us to follow, it goes against our very nature, we are a very me centered society and part of that is always wanting revenge for a perceived wrong. It's easier to stay with the childish mentality of "He hit me, so I hit him back", much harder to go"He hit me, so I forgave him, even though he hit me again." This behavior speaks more highly of us than anything else could, because it is the hardest. And we do not always succeed because we are only human, subject to reacting in the most basic of human ways.

Answer 5

A Great Quote during the WWII Era came from an Army Chaplain who said " Praise the Lord & Pass the Bullets!". U tell Us will U, was it alright to Kill the Nazi Hordes that were trying to Exterminate the Christians, Catholics,Gypsies,Gays or Jews??? Nuff Said!!! John

Answer 6

I am a Christian, but don't confuse Christianity with pacifism. I'll turn the other cheek, but I only have 2 cheeks. I will fight back on the personal level. As for a "national level," well let's just say that I back the war on terror, I back what we do in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Answer 7

I try to put this belief into practice. I am a person who can get their dander up pretty quickly, so not returning evil for evil, overlooking a slight, being meek, that is something I need God's help with every day.

When it comes to, for instance, serving in a war, I have never been faced with that choice. Honestly, I do not know what I would do, how I would feel.

Answer 8

Talk of Christian pacifism should include:
The Crusades
The war between the Catholics and Huguenots
The witch Burnings
The Irish Catholic and Christian conflicts
Abortion clinic bombings
Jewish persecution's
Spanish Inquisitions
Genocide of the Aztecs and countless other missionary atrocities

Answer 9

I wouldn't say it is a requirement. The only requirements I see are faith and repentance, maybe some others. I am a pacifist, but mainly because I believe in the golden rule. I don't really want to get punched in the face, so I am not going to punch anyone in the face. I'm not going to let anyone walk all over me, and I will defend myself though...

Answer 10

I am personally an advocate of pacifism, and feel that it ties in strongly with my Christian faith. However, I understand that many of my fellow Christians are not pacifists, and I respect their right to believe whatever they like. My own denomination does not call for pacifism; it is a path that I chose for myself on a personal level.