Having read and heard a wide diversity of views on war, peace, peacemaking, and state-sanctioned violence around Remembrance Day, I feel a need to respond so as not to fester.
Let those who hold to positions of pacifism, conscientious objection, etc. remember that the very freedom to hold and express such opinions is won and maintained for them by those who do not refuse to bear arms, and who pay a terrible psychological price for their involvement in conflict even if they escape physical damage. They, too, are victims of war, and it is entirely appropriate to call them “heroes”, as they freely choose to put themselves in harm’s way on behalf of all of us.
For a civilized nation, the impetus for war is not imperialism, but defence of human rights and fundamental freedoms. The quarrel is an ancient one, and the foe an ideologically-fuelled hatred that would impose totalitarian oppression on one people group after another, taking away each individual’s freedom to think and choose for him- or herself. Religious freedom would be among the “collateral damage.” Furthermore, if such oppression is not kept at bay in Afghanistan and elsewhere, it will most assuredly come to our own doorstep. In fact, for those with eyes to see, the war is already all around us, but it is, so far, being fought on a political, rather than military, level. Hatred takes myriad forms, but comes, ultimately, from one source. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Nor is it in error that the apostle Paul uses military metaphors: “Put on the full armour of God…for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Instead of engaging in petty denigration, let us boldly hold our government accountable (another hard-won freedom), and ensure that the wars our country fights are not squabbles over territory, resources, or culture, but a reluctant and well-considered defence of the (biblically-based, don’t forget) ideals of a free society.
Human nature being what it is, is anyone really, really a pacifist, through and through? I strongly doubt it. And it’s also clear that peace – the real thing, not some variety of ceasefire - can only take root when everyone gives up the desire for domination, which will happen only with the advent of the Prince of Peace. And even the One who bears that title “will rule them with an iron scepter…dash them to pieces like pottery.” And only then will they “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” May that day come soon. In the meantime, may we not fail to stand firm for what we know is right.
3 comments:
Let's do our civilized nation a double favour and fight against the totalitarianist tendencies of *both* Islam and Christianity.
A free society in my opinion is one that is not slaved to any god, or motivated to action by frankly silly superstitions about devils lurking in the shadows. You can't fight for human rights and freedoms and then say those rights and freedoms must be biblically-based and adhere to a Christian worldview, else they aren't rights or freedoms at all.
Finally, the appalling image of the so-called Prince of Peace as ultimate iron dictator chills me to the core. The final solution for everlasting peace is to have our necks stepped on by an ideologically tyrannous avatar? That's exactly the same kind of thinking that propelled Hitler, Hirohito, Stalin, Idi Amin, and every other domineering leader since human history began. What has that to do with rights and freedoms? Exactly nothing.
I tend to agree with your second paragraph there. As for the iron dictator bit, I get the feeling that *if* the Prince of Peace arrived, and demonstrated his divinity just be BEING THERE, opinions about religious tyranny might change pretty quickly. In other words, if Allah appeared to you, you might start to consider the wisdom in blowing stuff up. After all, if he's real, then his teachings are real.
I'm surprised at you, Peter. I would have expected better of you than such irrational and inaccurate nonsense, obfuscation, and straw-man bluster. The free and open societies of the world are those which have long been imbued with biblically-based values; those which adhere to other traditions are, in general, not at all free or open. The very concept of "human rights" is rooted in the Christian worldview which holds human life in high regard, unlike non-Christian belief systems. These are historical and sociological facts, in the face of which your opinions are not worth a turkey fart. And why be chilled by the Prince of Peace? Do you panic when a cop car lights up behind you - and why, if you're not doing anything wrong? Could it be that your conscience is not unstained? Come out of denial. Face the Truth. Walk in the light.
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