It's very confusing. We have people on these forums that claim to be Christian, who claim to love and obey God. Yet they cheer the War in Iraq, started by George Bush, and approve attacking Iran. Now, I can understand why they might feel that any Iranian conflict might be defensive, since Iranians are working on nuclear capability, even though they claim it is for peaceful purposes. But, the Iraq War was definitely not started in self-defense. Even though Saddam Hussein may have been reprehensible, there was no urgent danger to our country. On top of that, there are groups of Christians in Iraq, inspiring soldiers to embrace Christianity and "go out and fight for the Lord."
Whatever happened to "Thou Shalt Not Kill"? Has someone rewritten the Bible? Or are today's Christians twisting God's words?
2007-10-20 07:53:18 · 22 answers · asked by Me, Too 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wow. It's amazing how many people call themselves Christians and don't know or don't believe their own Bibles. There is no such thing as a just war for a Christian. James 4:1-2 tells us that wars come from our own lusts, and in this case, the lust is for oil and U.S./ Israel dominance over the middle east.
Romans 12: 17-18 says never repay evil for evil to anyone and live peacably with all men.
If mainstream neo-xstians didn't ignore Jesus' teachings they would know what he said about just killing as well:
Matthew 5:38-48 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
2007-10-20 20:40:26 · answer #1 · answered by Guardian 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thou shalt not kill actually means murder. ie don't go up to your neighbor or to another country and murder someone. It doesn't mean no capital punishment, it doesn't end all wars, it means YOU the individual are not to put a person to death.
Yeah, I love living here in Kuwait and all my hippie fellow Americans singing the song of "let's leave Iraq, b/c there were no weapons of mass destruction and Iraq will be better without us." I didn't support the invasion from day one, but I do believe in cleaning up my own mess, and helping others in need. And if we would simply pull out of Iraq right now, the insurgents will take over, kill thousands of innocent people and life would be just as horrible for the "other" religious group as it was under Saddam.
But you can understand the issue with Iran. That's good... because I'm way more worried about living within missile striking distance from Iran than I am from Iraq...
What ever happened to helping those who cannot help themselves and helping others before yourself?
2007-10-20 15:07:03 · answer #2 · answered by Christian in Kuwait 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
When the Iraq war began we had good reason to believe that it was in self defense. Every intelligence agency around the globe said that Saddam was trying to acquire WMD's and may already have some. There was good reason to enter Iraq. Now, for the sake of the US and the middle east we have to make sure that Iraq is stable before we leave. Terrorist pour across the border every day and If we pull out now we will just have to re-enter Iraq in a few years. Also, the word that we translate as "kill" actually means murder. There is a big difference in killing and murder. There are times when killing is necessary (to protect ones family and etc.) however murder is never justifiable.
2007-10-20 15:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by arikinder 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
True Christians do not support any wars or earthly governments. Boys over 18 have to register for the draft because it's a law, but if they are called to enlist there is the conscientious objector option. My best friend's older brother was called during the war in Viet Nam. He claimed conscientious objector status. It is a lot harder to get this status than to run off to Canada, but he wanted to stay out of the army legally. Jesus did not support any earthly governmental organizations, and neither should Christians. Every person on this planet is part of the human family, and we really should treat each other that way.
2007-10-20 15:04:27 · answer #4 · answered by alikij 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A good ole George Bush basher.....cleverly disguised as a religious person....if you knew anything about Christians, you would know that there is such a thing as a just war...there were very bad things going on in that country that was not caused by GB.....He just had the vision to know what would be best for the future of this country...he got rid of a terrible dictator and made a place for us to establish democracy...he knew we would have to eventually take on Iran...where better to do it from...than right next door...History will judge George Bush....I thank God that Cheney and Bush were visionaries....
2007-10-20 15:11:01 · answer #5 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Interesting that in today's news the group of people who seem most opposed to violence in any form are the Buddhists documented in Myanmar. They literally walked without violence to protest in favor of Democracy. Unfortunately, it didn't help them when them when the military Junta suppressed the monks with guns.
Unfortunately, some of the most popular religions in the world today were originally spread through force. It's how groups won converts in the early days. When Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, for instance, it led to the torture, imprisonment, and murder of many practicing Pagans (yet most likely you've only heard of the Christian martyrs in the roman empire, not the pagans).
A few religions have a sort of cognitive dissonance when it comes to good religious rules and what is actually followed. Combine religion with nationalism, as is currently being done with the religious conservatives in America and many parts of the Middle east, and it's a potentially dangerous situation.
2007-10-20 15:03:59 · answer #6 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I'll predict that by the time I post this, 50-75% of your answers will be something like "It says 'Thou shall not murder,' then continue to point out that the penalty for several sins in the Old Testament is death.
But that is missing the point. Christianity is a pacifist religion. You might want to consider (or memorize, if you get into a lot of spiritual discussions) Matthew 5:21-26, which says:
21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,[c]' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
25"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Another good verse is Matthew 5:38-42:
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[a] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Goodluck finding a "Fundamentalist" who believes the Bible is the literal word of God who actually accepts these as literal truth!
PS I see a couple of people have mentioned the "Just War" thing. Just for the record, that is post-biblical and is never espoused in the New Testament.
2007-10-20 15:11:45 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. Bad Day 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I personally wanted to Join to military, Airforce, for that reason I was told that Airforce Branch didnt go to Iraq as much as the other Branches did. I wanted to join also because I thought that the war would be over soon. But I believe the Holy Spirit Spoke to me and told me to wait, so I waited.
I personally dont like war.
2007-10-20 15:00:33 · answer #8 · answered by Nikki 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i am sure these hypocrites will come up with some justifications . IE; well he also said "eye for an eye" and "thou shall only kill for oil and other resources" if they do as bible ask them to do then their checkbooks shrink! Bush may say: bible is just a piece of paper! peace
2007-10-21 01:07:42 · answer #9 · answered by macmanf4j 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sad, isn't it. The Christians in power have twisted the words to suit their purpose, and their followers believe them. There are many of us who would like to bring our troops home now, and let the Iraqi government start doing their job. Unfortunately, Bush won't let that happen. He is too power hungry. When killing becomes the norm, where will that lead us? Destruction.
2007-10-20 15:04:35 · answer #10 · answered by magix151 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋