Question

[Andrew12]

How Important is Pacifism across the board here. I believe that quakers are pacifists, if memory serves. But what about AnaBaptists and Mennonites and the like?

 

[Randy_R]

The historic peace churches are the Mennonites, Quakers and the Church of the Brethren. Sadly, the Mennonite Brethren Church recently had a poll where 57% of the responding members said they would like the church to reconsider its peace stance.
Personally, I consider nonresistance to be a fundamental aspect of our faith. Consider this. One of the Apostles was a member of the Zealots before following Christ - Simon the Zealot. The Zealots were known to assassinate Romans and other Jews who collaborated with the Romans. Do you think he gave up being a Zealot when he became a Christian? Can you honestly think that as a Christian he killed a few Romans now and then, just to keep in practice? In all probability you can't imagine an Apostle who would continue to murder as a Zealot after following Christ.
Now consider that for a first century Jew, having Romans governing their homeland would be the same as having Russia ruling over America today with Russians soldiers in the streets. If that happened how many Christians today would be lined up to shoot Russians?
And yet Jesus said to a crowd of Jews with Roman soldiers in their land - "Love you enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who hurt you" (Lk 6:27-28).
If Jesus were alive in the above scenario with the Russians ruling America, and he said "Love your enemies", he would probably have been killed by American Christians.
To quote the bumpersticker - "When Jesus said love your enemies, He probably meant don't kill them".
Anyway, as you can tell, pacifism/nonresistance is important to me, and I'd imagine to many other Christians - both Anabaptist and non-Anabaptist.

 

[WayneinMaine]

How Important is Pacifism across the board here. I believe that quakers are pacifists, if memory serves. But what about AnaBaptists and Mennonites and the like?

Mennonites take Jesus at His word. When He commissonied His apostles He told them to make disciples of all nations, and to teach them to obey all He had commanded. So loving one's enemies and not resisting evil but turning the other cheek and blessing those who curse us are not optional to one who claims to believe in Jesus.

 

[Andrew12]

Thanks for the very informative info!

 

[TheWingsOfWisdom]

Mennonites take Jesus at His word. When He commissonied His apostles He told them to make disciples of all nations, and to teach them to obey all He had commanded. So loving one's enemies and not resisting evil but turning the other cheek and blessing those who curse us are not optional to one who claims to believe in Jesus.

There is a lot more of the Word of Jesus than just these you have listed.

Do they heed them also as they heed these?

 

[TheWingsOfWisdom]

like for example

sell all you have and give alms to the poor

pick up your cross and follow me.

 

[TheWingsOfWisdom]

Here is another one:

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Do they obey this one?

 

[TheWingsOfWisdom]

This is one of those commandments of Jesus

that will really set you apart from the rest.

If you obey it.

 

[TheWingsOfWisdom]

I have obeyed it

and I can tell you first hand.

You really do have to have the Spirit of the Lord upon you

to walk off from everything you have and own

and all your kinfolk and friends and the whole ball of wax

and leave it all behind

and then on top of all that

you have to pick up and carry your own cross

and then

after you do all that

follow Jesus.

 

[TheWingsOfWisdom]

And when you do that

There you will be

all alone but you and the Lord

with nothing but your cross

and your faith.

No money in the bank or in your pocket

no one to call to send you money are to send you get home money.

Just you and the Lord.

and you faith.

 

[GodIsGreat2me]

The way of peace in Islam is

Peace, mercy and blessings of God

And the love of your Muslim brother in God, who is no god but

Look for Islam that you want happiness in this world and the Hereafter

Why are they always killing each other and fighting with others outside their religion?

 

[GodIsGreat2me]

Why are they always killing each other and fighting with others outside their religion?

Allah has forbidden the killing in his book

It is not proper for a Muslim to be killed even if the deceased is not a Muslim

It killed one of there killing people and all of this stated in the Book of Allah

We are peaceful with all religions and invite people from the worship of human beingsto worship the Lord of human beings

Who is WE?

 

[GodIsGreat2me]

No, not this speech did not say God bless you

I say that Muslims do not like murder

Is that because you are a Muslim?

 

[GodIsGreat2me]

Murder is haram for a Muslim and a non-Muslim

Do you think that Muslims kill him

It is common knowledge that muslims kill each other.

 

[EnolaReverof]

Hm, I see this is a "question" thread. As I am new, excuse me if I'm a little absurd by requesting that you helped me grasp the deeper meaning of what is shown in this link. I would be really grateful if you did.
bit [dor] ly/gYhtpl