Quote:
Originally Posted by non dignus  Hi Eddie, |
Hello and thanks for the response. Let me try and understand what you are saying and attempt a reasonable and spirit-led response.
Quote:
Originally Posted by non dignus Christians being separated from bearing the sword has implications that are distasteful to non-pacifists. |
First of all let me say that I wish the Church would follow Christ and not care one iota whether or not the world liked it. You have to live out your convictions, even with fellow Christians who hold some different beliefs. So to that I would say if Christ instructed us to lay down the sword and turn the other cheek and so forth, then we had best trust and obey.
Quote:
Originally Posted by non dignus When I was a pacifist I had to wrestle with the idea that other men had to 'carry my water'. We benefit greatly from the blood, sweat, and tears shed by soldiers. |
We Christians in the US do benefit in a way from what others are doing. While there is great debate over whether military action in Iraq is doing anything to help us here, I understand the main point of your statement. Especially when you consider the violent activities it took to separate this nation from the control of Britain a couple hundred years ago.
Quote:
Originally Posted by non dignus It dishonors the name of Christ to shirk our duty, and allow unbelievers to do our hard work. |
Again the word
duty comes up in this topic, but I am not sure where anyone finds this obligation in the way of Christ. Is there Scripture you can offer for me to review?
Our "hard work" has never been in the secular or civic realm. Shouldn't we be concerned with the way of the Lord, the peace of God, his kingdom, his gospel, helping those in need, aiding the poor, aiding widows, and so forth?
Quote:
Originally Posted by non dignus If just war be fought, than just men fight. |
I am a strict pacifist. Meaning I do not subscribe to the Just War Theory. I say that just to be clear on my position. But those who do subscribe to the Just War Theory I believe have the onus of showing that any war/conflict is in fact Just before giving it support.
In my ethics class a while back, we were discussing the different theories. When we came to the Just War Theory he asked the class how many followed this theory. Roughly 90% said they did, and that is after the lecture and discussion of what it is exactly. He then asked them, "Can you name me 3 wars that were actually Just?" The class came up with 0.
I thank you for the dialogue. It's refreshing to have these discussions with like-minded folks who will actually dialogue.