Back, by demand
Okay, time for a question that should stir some debate. That is, if anyone is still reading...
I was reading this article from www.truthout.org (click the title); and a big question returned to my mind. Actually, it's a deeply disturbing article that raises LOTS of questions. But one came up in my mind out of a tangent...and now that I have a blog, what a great place to air it!
How could a practicing Christian become part of the military, or even perform a duty as a peace officer?
I am no Christian. I am closer to the Jewish faith, but in all honesty, it's more of a cultural connection than a religious one. I mean, I can't say for certain that there ISN'T more than one god (monotheism being Judaism's great gift to the world, the "invisible man in the sky," as Gore Vidal puts it) . I also can't state with conviction that religion does more good than harm in this world. In fact, I think I like the idea that each one of us in direct connection to the god force; and therefore part of god, and therefore...
That aside, my understanding of the Christ's teachings is, in essence, that he wants us to love each other. Love thy neighbor. Forgive them when they transgress. How can a follower of these principles bear arms against his neighbor? Is it something about the definition of neighbor?
I understand more easily the Jewish desire to be militant, since Jews nearly ceased to exist just sixty-some years back. Is the Christian willingness based on something in the Old Testament?
Obviously, most of our armed forces and peace officers are Christians of some stripe...
And I mean no disrespect. I am genuinely curious. Am I wrong to think that martial actions are the antithesis of Christ's teachings?
I was reading this article from www.truthout.org (click the title); and a big question returned to my mind. Actually, it's a deeply disturbing article that raises LOTS of questions. But one came up in my mind out of a tangent...and now that I have a blog, what a great place to air it!
How could a practicing Christian become part of the military, or even perform a duty as a peace officer?
I am no Christian. I am closer to the Jewish faith, but in all honesty, it's more of a cultural connection than a religious one. I mean, I can't say for certain that there ISN'T more than one god (monotheism being Judaism's great gift to the world, the "invisible man in the sky," as Gore Vidal puts it) . I also can't state with conviction that religion does more good than harm in this world. In fact, I think I like the idea that each one of us in direct connection to the god force; and therefore part of god, and therefore...
That aside, my understanding of the Christ's teachings is, in essence, that he wants us to love each other. Love thy neighbor. Forgive them when they transgress. How can a follower of these principles bear arms against his neighbor? Is it something about the definition of neighbor?
I understand more easily the Jewish desire to be militant, since Jews nearly ceased to exist just sixty-some years back. Is the Christian willingness based on something in the Old Testament?
Obviously, most of our armed forces and peace officers are Christians of some stripe...
And I mean no disrespect. I am genuinely curious. Am I wrong to think that martial actions are the antithesis of Christ's teachings?
posted by TRS at 6/04/2005 01:34:00 PM
4 Comments:
Wasn't it Jesus that said "Speak softly and carry a big stick?" Oh wait...no...I'm wrong.
Oh yeah, John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he told man to go out and kick ass to 'protect' our way of life..." :)
Maybe this "Christian authorized" aggression has its roots in the same place as the idea of "Manifest Destiny"?
You have concocted both a narrow definition of Chrisitanity and a narrow definition of war for the convenience of fabricating an irony.
Personally, I have neither an answer nor much of an opinion about the matter, really. I guess, like this article briefly suggests that I choose to differentiate between the morality of the individual and the morality of the state. (It's not the greatest article, by the way, but it brings up some interesting considerations.)
Another thing to consider is that Christianity is founded not exclusively upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Apostles in the New Testament, but includes the Old Testament as well.
I wonder how many Christians actually aren't in the military, because they don't want to fight. I don't think you're giving them any credit or mention here. Additionally, I wonder how many Christians are in the military out of necessity and attempt to separate their duty from their morality.
You're right. It's a big can of worms, isn't it? Why try to apply it only to Christians? Why not everybody?
Man, I'm not sure what the post above is getting at, but in general I agree with your premise and my short answer to your question, "Am I wrong to think that martial actions are the antithesis of Christ's teachings?", is no, you're not wrong to think that. The question has occured to me too.
The commandment Thou Shall Not Kill by itself is enough of a contradiction if one is participating in the war to make one ask the question.
I know that there are Catholic groups that oppose the war just as there are others who support it. Seems to be a matter of convenience of interpretation.
-jw
I "concocted" nothing: I was thinking that it's hard to be forgiving when you are pointing a weapon at someone.
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