These Christians would have raised the cross as a banner against Saddam, Hitler, or Mao. There are church members who wanted to use preventative war to stop communist china from making atomic weapons before they could use them to endanger the United States. They would also advocate landing marines in Iraq before the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) got a strong foothold. Such anticipatory actions are based on the notion that our cause is consistently good, while that of our enemies is always evil.
Militarism in the United States cannot be separated from a deeply rooted perception of righteousness. The original Puritans arrived in America with the belief that they were the recipients of a new covenant. Fulfilling their role as the ‘elect …show more content…
That is, the use of force must be avoided at any cost. This is not to be confused with ‘passivism’, as pacifism is an active force that uses social and political power to promote social justice and the unity of nations. Pacifism rejects hatred, bloodshed, violence, and war as ways to resolve conflicts. Pacifists are morally opposed to war, since they regard all killing as murder, even if war is legally permitted. Pacifists hold dearly the teaching of the New Testament. They are convinced that Jesus condemned all forms of violence. Although the bible reads, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” Pacifists believe Jesus corrected this misinterpretation in his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus preached, “Do not resist one who is evil. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Mat5:38-39). In addition, St. Paul wrote to the community of Rome “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom 12:18). In the Beatitudes, meekness and peacemaking are among the primary virtues which Jesus praised. The Pacifist holds that contrary to natural impulse, one should love his enemies. Disputes should not be allowed to cause resentment and animosity; they should be settled by arbitration and reconciliation. When Peter reached for his sword to defend Jesus in his hour of betrayal, pacifists remind us that he was rebuked and told, “All who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matt. 26:52). Pacifists have been criticized and labeled impractical perfectionists. Is it right to stand idly by while aggressors attack the defenseless or tyrants impose their evil intentions on an abject people? All the Pacifists know is they must say “no” to every temptation that would have them do other than bear their cross. The route pursued by the consistent pacifist is thorny and
Militarism in the United States cannot be separated from a deeply rooted perception of righteousness. The original Puritans arrived in America with the belief that they were the recipients of a new covenant. Fulfilling their role as the ‘elect …show more content…
That is, the use of force must be avoided at any cost. This is not to be confused with ‘passivism’, as pacifism is an active force that uses social and political power to promote social justice and the unity of nations. Pacifism rejects hatred, bloodshed, violence, and war as ways to resolve conflicts. Pacifists are morally opposed to war, since they regard all killing as murder, even if war is legally permitted. Pacifists hold dearly the teaching of the New Testament. They are convinced that Jesus condemned all forms of violence. Although the bible reads, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” Pacifists believe Jesus corrected this misinterpretation in his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus preached, “Do not resist one who is evil. If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Mat5:38-39). In addition, St. Paul wrote to the community of Rome “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Rom 12:18). In the Beatitudes, meekness and peacemaking are among the primary virtues which Jesus praised. The Pacifist holds that contrary to natural impulse, one should love his enemies. Disputes should not be allowed to cause resentment and animosity; they should be settled by arbitration and reconciliation. When Peter reached for his sword to defend Jesus in his hour of betrayal, pacifists remind us that he was rebuked and told, “All who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matt. 26:52). Pacifists have been criticized and labeled impractical perfectionists. Is it right to stand idly by while aggressors attack the defenseless or tyrants impose their evil intentions on an abject people? All the Pacifists know is they must say “no” to every temptation that would have them do other than bear their cross. The route pursued by the consistent pacifist is thorny and