Christians: Loving the Enemy? (Jesus, moral, America, atheist, suicide) - Page 2

PureX · #11 12-04-2006, 08:38 AM

I believe that we can defend ourselves against the behavior of our enemies while still loving (and forgiving) them, because we can separate their behavior from who they are as people, in our own hearts and minds.

On the other hand, I do believe that Jesus has challenged us to NOT defend ourselves against our enemy's harmful behaviors so that we will become an object lesson to them, and so that the power of God's love exemplified by and within us may help to heal them and change them.

This is a very difficult challenge, I admit, but to pretend that Jesus is not presenting it to us is to ignore one of the most fundamental principals of Christianity.

Comprehend · #12 12-04-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moon Woman

I am wondering, Comprehend, did you actually read the article or just the headline?? No one is arguing against loving our enemies. Is there anything you would like to address beyond the obvious?

Moon woman, I do not believe that loving your enemy means "doing what they want" or "allowing them to do whatever they want" I believe it means to do what is in their best interest in light of the gospel. Clearly what is in a murderers best interest is to be stopped. I am not oppossed to going to fight to stop an enemy. It would be plain stupidity to lay down and allow whomever chooses to destroy your civilization and I do not think Jesus ever meant his commandment to be taken this way. I would agree with some of the article, I do not believe loving your enemy is a giant suicide pact. Love means to do what is best for the others in light of the gospel. I love my daughter, sometimes she wants ice-cream for dinner. Would it be love for me to allow her to eat ice-cream or candy for every meal? Of course not. So when I deny her wishes, and give her what I know is best, it is done out of love. (sorry about the weak first response, is that better?)

Scuba Pete · #13 12-05-2006, 07:23 AM

Self defense is one thing... but even THAT is strictly prohibited by scriptures. Defense of country and family is not really discussed. Your conscience should be your guide and no one else.

The USA is not a Christian nation. We are a melting pot of religions and ethnicities. The direction of the USA therefore is not determined by anyone's interpretation of the Bible, real or profane. It is determined by the people who run our government, and quite often, and especially in this administration, they try to "SPIN" their actions to look like they are doing God's will. They lie. They lie a lot.

Israel does not need us to fight their wars. That is an insult to them and they have not asked for forces. They do want our armaments, and the warmongers that we are, we sell them as much as they can carry. The PTBs want you to think that we should send troops and such, because they build the weapons, and we don't buy many weapons if we are not at war.

Iraq was invaded because Haliburton needed a cash influx. There was NO compelling reason to invade and neither Republican nor Democrat agreed that invasion would be our FIRST option. No, the need to sell more arms and services so that a few could become wealthy have pushed us into this war, which might very well turn into WWIII.

So, when I read that horrid piece, all I could see was one justification after another for doing what we shouldn't be doing and trying to use God to justify it all. It's war mongering in it's most evil form. Blaming God for a war he does not want to see. The Old Testament is full of the Israelites blaming God for their wars. When does this madness end?

When we all say "We're as mad as hell, and we aren't going to be taking this anymore!" The power has already begun to shift. It's important that we hold our legislator's feet to the fire and MAKE THEM get us out of Iraq.

My best friend Dan (a Republican) told me last night: "But we have to stay so we can help them!" "Dan, there is no way we can help them by staying." "Unfortunately, I think you are all too right Pete." I remember Dan cheering when the invasion started and was shocked by my reticence in all of the hooplah. He questioned my patriotism and he was hurt by my estimation of doom and failure and my unequivocal stance that if my son were drafted that I would hold him and the others who voted in Mr Warmonger President in responsible for anything that happened to him.