Christianity and War
June 12th, 2008 | by Paul Merda |I must admit that I read alot of things, especially things I don’t always agree with. For many years I have been a fan of Laurence M. Vance. Mr. Vance is an outspoken critic of ”warfare-state” christians, the neo-con types that now permeate the GOP. He eloquently relates through his analysis of the bible why christians should not only be anti-war, but anti-state as well showing that Jesus was indeed the “Prince of Peace”. His book ”Christianity and War and Other Essays Against the Warfare State” is a must read for anyone who proclaims to be a follower of Jesus. Recently Mr. Vance gave a speech and had this to say about his fellow right wing christians:
“Christians who try never to lie do so with boldness when they claim they are pro-life, but refuse to extend their pro-life sentiments to foreigners already out of the womb. Christians who abhor idols are guilty of idolatry when they say that we should follow the latest dictates of the state because we should always “obey the powers that be.” Christians who venerate the Bible handle the word of God deceitfully when they quote Scripture to justify U.S. government wars. Christians who claim to have the mind of Christ show that they have lost their mind when they want the full force of government to protect a stem cell, but have no conscience about U.S. soldiers killing for the government.”
or
“What a shame that non-Christians, including atheists, agnostics, infidels, pagans, and the irreligious, who oppose the genocide that the United States has unleashed in Iraq, have a moral code higher than that of many Christians. Non-Christian Americans should know that Christian enthusiasm for war and the warfare state is a perversion of Christianity, an affront to the Saviour whom Christians worship as the Prince of Peace, a violation of Scripture, contrary to the whole tenor of the New Testament, and an unfortunate demonstration of the profound ignorance many Christians have of history and their own Bible. God only knows how many non-Christians have been driven from Christianity because of Christian indifference toward or outright support of war.”
Hear, hear Mr. Vance, hear, hear!
6 Responses to “Christianity and War”
By Alex on Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
Quote:
“What a shame that non-Christians, including atheists, agnostics, infidels, pagans, and the irreligious, who oppose the genocide that the United States has unleashed in Iraq, have a moral code higher than that of many Christians.”
Why, “what a shame” I wonder? Just semantics, perhaps.
By mr bigstuff on Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
a good christian likes to whup some ass. especially if the ass whupee is irreligious. jesus expects that from us. i know that’s true because i got a good christian raisin. it was the last one out of the minature box from del monte that i was eating when the preacher got to speaking in tongues at church last sunday. that little raisin got to shaking and trembling something fierce when i put in my mouth. so i spit it out and keep it my wallet now to get me through the hard times when the devil puts me to the test.
By Lisa on Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
I WILL CAST TERROR INTO THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE. THEREFORE STRIKE OFF THEIR HEADS AND STRIKE OFF EVERY FINGERTIP OF THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY ACTED ADVERSELY TO GOD AND HIS MESSENGER; AND WHOEVER ACTS ADVERSELY TO GOD AND HIS MESSENGER - THEN SURELY GOD IS SEVERE IN REQUITING (EVIL). THIS - TASTE IT, AND (KNOW) THAT FOR THE UNBELIEVERS IS THE PUNISHMENT OF FIRE. O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve marching for war, then turn not your backs to them. And whoever shall turn his back to them on that day - unless he turn aside for the sake of fighting or withdraws to a company - then he, indeed, becomes deserving of GOD’s wrath, and his abode is hell; and an evil destination shall it be. So you did not slay them, but it was GOD Who slew them and you did not smite when you smote (the enemy) but it was GOD Who smote, and that He might confer upon the believers a good gift from Himself; (8:12-17)
By Lisa on Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
I WILL CAST TERROR INTO THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE. THEREFORE STRIKE OFF THEIR HEADS AND STRIKE OFF EVERY FINGERTIP OF THEM. THIS IS BECAUSE THEY ACTED ADVERSELY TO GOD AND HIS MESSENGER; AND WHOEVER ACTS ADVERSELY TO ALLAH AND HIS MESSENGER - THEN SURELY GOD IS SEVERE IN REQUITING (EVIL). THIS - TASTE IT, AND (KNOW) THAT FOR THE UNBELIEVERS IS THE PUNISHMENT OF FIRE. O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve marching for war, then turn not your backs to them. And whoever shall turn his back to them on that day - unless he turn aside for the sake of fighting or withdraws to a company - then he, indeed, becomes deserving of GOD’S wrath, and his abode is hell; and an evil destination shall it be. So you did not slay them, but it was GOD Who slew them and you did not smite when you smote (the enemy) but it was GOD Who smote, and that He might confer upon the believers a good gift from Himself; (8:12-17)
By mr bigstuff on Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
amen. by god.
By steve on Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
I always feel like I am in a 1920’s speak easy voting on union issues with Paul’s whole “hear hear” thing…
Lisa… wasn’t that from the movie Dogma?