How should we respond?

[ZiSunka]

How should we American Christians respond to this threat of war?

 

[booger]

With lots and lots of Prayer!! 

 

[ZiSunka]

I'm truly torn between wanting to support my president and wanting to be faithful to Christ's teachings.

 

[Gerry]

Good! Being faithful to Christ's teachings is supporting your President!

 

[ZiSunka]

So I should continue my pacifist activities, since I believe that Christ taught us to be peacemakers and lovers of our fellow man, not lovers of war?

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by lambslove
So I should continue my pacifist activities, since I believe that Christ taught us to be peacemakers and lovers of our fellow man, not lovers of war?

That was not my reply, and I had thought to post some scripture, but I can see this turning into a debate and this just doesn't seem the appropriate forum for that.

Anyway all anyone can do is follow thier conscience.

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by Gerry
That was not my reply, and I had thought to post some scripture, but I can see this turning into a debate and this just doesn't seem the appropriate forum for that.

Anyway all anyone can do is follow thier conscience.

No not a debate at all Gerry. I'm looking for genuine advice.

Should I continue my pacifist activities or keep silent?

What's the right thing to do?

 

[GraftMeIn]

When I hear about wars etc... I just remember that it is God who places what is in the heart of our leaders. About all I can do is pray for Gods Will to be done whatever that may be. And work all the harder to get His Word out to others.

 

[Homie]

War: can't live with it, can't survive without it.

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by GraftMeIn
When I hear about wars etc... I just remember that it is God who places what is in the heart of our leaders. About all I can do is pray for Gods Will to be done whatever that may be. And work all the harder to get His Word out to others.

Even Hitler?

I can't help but think about what would have happened if the German Christians hadn't done more to prevent WWII from happening.

I don't think attacking Iraq is a reasonable thing to do, since they have not attacked us first. I am opposed to this war, because it appears to be injust to me.

But I want to be a good citizen, too.

I am praying for God's will to be done.

But should I continue to speak out against the war or remain silent?

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by Homie
War: can't live with it, can't survive without it.

So I am the lone Christian pacifist here?

 

[Homie]

Hey, I am torn in this conflict as well. On the one side, I wish we could all live in harmony and peace etc....But we cannot be naive, sometimes war is necessary, like in the OT where God obviously supported the Israelites.

What I meant by "War: can't live with it, can't survive without it." is, well I'll give an example: If the the entire west (including the USA, especially the USA) were to lay down all its arms we would surely be overrun. And unfortunately there are people that would do anything to harm certain peoples and/or countries, and we've learned that prevention is better than retribution. Is this war justified under these conditions? I don't know.

But I disagree that all leaders are from God and led by God, history has shown that it is not the case.

 

[GraftMeIn]

Originally posted by lambslove
Even Hitler?

I can't help but think about what would have happened if the German Christians hadn't done more to prevent WWII from happening.

I don't think attacking Iraq is a reasonable thing to do, since they have not attacked us first. I am opposed to this war, because it appears to be injust to me.

But I want to be a good citizen, too.

I am praying for God's will to be done.

But should I continue to speak out against the war or remain silent?

 

I think the Bible pretty much tells us what Hitler was all about. God made it clear that the Children of Israel would be scattered through the nations, and that many would be whipped out, but that a remnant should remain and be brought back. That remnant is being brought back, and has been for quite some time. 

Now with the war looming over our heads It's even more important for us to get out there and show others how to find God while he may still be found.

We need to fight the Spiritual war, and lead others to salvation before it's too late.

While I don't agree with the war, I find it hard to worry about it. While there are still far too many souls that need saving, and I know that soon it may to be too late for them to be saved.

The thing is, whatever happens will all be within Gods will, whatever that may be. Maybe there will be a war, maybe not. I wont worry about that, instead I'll leave it in Gods hands. Nothing happens outside His will. I will concentrate on trying to reach His children so they can all be saved.

 

[robin1497]

I completely agree with your last post Graft! Amen!

 

[ZiSunka]

Originally posted by Homie
Hey, I am torn in this conflict as well. On the one side, I wish we could all live in harmony and peace etc....But we cannot be naive, sometimes war is necessary, like in the OT where God obviously supported the Israelites.

What I meant by "War: can't live with it, can't survive without it." is, well I'll give an example: If the the entire west (including the USA, especially the USA) were to lay down all its arms we would surely be overrun. And unfortunately there are people that would do anything to harm certain peoples and/or countries, and we've learned that prevention is better than retribution. Is this war justified under these conditions? I don't know.

But I disagree that all leaders are from God and led by God, history has shown that it is not the case.

There is a big difference between passivism and pacifism, though.

What you are describing, the laying down of all weapons, is passivism, doing nothing to stop evil.

Pacifists are not passive, they actively seek peace and work for it. We believe that Christ was telling the truth when he said to love our enemies, to keep being children of God even when someone seeks to harm us.

When did we learn that attacking another country prevented war?
I'm not familiar with this ever happening.

 

[ZiSunka]

I'm sorry I started this thread. I was looking for a little support and encouragement in walking the way Christ called me to walk. I didn't mean for you to look down on me or try to twist my beliefs into something other than what they are.

Love your enemies, Christ said, and I take that to heart.

Sorry I upset you all so.

 

[GraftMeIn]

Lambslove, I don't think anyone tried to twist your beliefs here. You asked for our opinions on a given subject. We simply responded with what we believe, not intending for them to be taken as an attack.

I do not think anyone here likes the idea of a war. Any Christian knows we are to love our enemy. but when it comes down to supporting the president or Christ the answer is always going to be Follow Jesus, and don't worry about what the President is doing, That's all in Gods hands. We should be praying for all parties involved. We must pray for Gods will to be done in all situations.

 

[KnightCross]

Hi, lambslove,

I don't think you really offended anyone here, at least it didn't appear like that to me. Perhaps you may be TOO afraid of offending someone?

Maybe I can help by stating some things that I feel about the situation. I do have a background in the military, but I can also understand your compassion for peace.

I personally don't have a problem with a war that prevents or stops oppression of the people. I think your example of Hitler (and World War II in general) was a good example of this. What would our world (and many of it's peoples) be like had we not stopped people who felt that atrocities against their fellow man was justified by national identity? I think our complete victory, although costly, was because God was on the side of his Christian soldiers, certainly not with the Atheistic aims of the Third Reich. Our overall victory in the Cold War was a victory for God, who brought the downfall of the atheistic nations who refused to allow his teachings.

I got out of the military not too long ago for several reasons...one was that I was tired of a few things that were going on in the military, but another factor was I disagreed completely with some of the military operations we were doing at the time...the bombing of Serbia in 1998? or so. I felt that innocent men, women and children were being murdered to support a president's attempts to draw attention elsewhere other than his own sinful lifestyle.

In 1940, there was no way that Hitler, the Emperor or anyone else could have leveled a city in minutes, or kill millions with one weapon. However, the world has changed since then. Anyone now with the right technology can wipe entire communities, even cities, off the map. This type of weapon should NOT be in the hands of ruthless dictators who have already proven that they will kill innocent people to maintain their lust for power. If our attack is fully intended to remove that type of power from that type of person, I fully support it, and feel that God is on our side. If it is for any other reason then I think it is flawed and not of God. Therefore the person who said that we must pray for our leaders was completely right...to not go to God first before battle is certainly not going with his blessing.

Hope this helps!

Cheers and God Bless!

 

[ZiSunka]

Perhaps you may be TOO afraid of offending someone?

I ask for support and I get judgment.

Thanks.

 

[ZiSunka]

So what do you all do about all the commands that Christ gave not to commit violence, not to give in to violence, to love our enemies instead of hurting them, to be peacemakers instead of haters?

Do those things mean anything to anyone other than me?

Or are we supposed to trust and support our government no matter what it does?

I guess we shouldn't speak out against abortion, since our government says it's okay?