What is your attitude towards war?

[snowflake]

I have to do some 'philosophy and Ethics' homework where I have to find out what the christian attitude to war is. I am a christian myself, and I need to find out what other christians think about it as well.
You can present whether you are 'for' or 'against' war and explain why, as well as how you feel christians should behave about the issue.
I'll be happy if you could present your thoughts and opinions.

 

[billyeah]

I honestly cannot give an educated answer to that subject. The teachings of Jesus, about loving your enemies would seem to be against war, But at the same time, God led many people through battles eg. David and Goliath, so I don't know for sure.

 

[j-freak153]

If the war is built on rightousness and is for the purpose of liberation or something of that sort, then i believe it would be ok. One country must be invited into for helping fight the war....they must have proper authority to be there.

 

[Cognitive]

I am strongly against war of any kind.

I feel it is better to be killed, than to do the killing.

You should read Matthew 5:38-48


"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41 and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you. 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect!

Matthew 26:51-53

51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.

Jesus continues to say that this happens the way it was meant to happen, as I am sure God intends many wars to happen also. Im sure many wars have to happen to make the scripture of the revelation come true.

Matthew 24:6-9

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places: 8 all this is but the beginning of the birth-pangs. 9 "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation, and put you to death; and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then many will fall away, and betray one another, and hate one another.

Even though our hearts as Christians are against the idea, we have to sit back and let Gods will take its course. The revelation is upon us. Do not be troubled.

 

[lll3]

To me the question is a little ambiguous. If you are talking about the war on terror or war in general is the question I was looking for. In general I support war because we have to defend ourselves against ruthless people and countries. Jesus is our strength and protector, but I feel he has lead us through wars in the past.

 

[uknowme]

well im against war.....
i dont care for what reason there is a war...
im just really against it...cause i think that
people are killed that dont really have anything to do with the
conflict that that country has.....
so yeah thats just my thoughts to that...

god bless
kara

 

[j-freak153]

if Jesus can beat the people out of the temple (His house) then by that example, i believe that we, being a righteous nation (or nations) can beat the enemy out of our nations....some with prayer and some by more physical means...

 

[Vicente]

War is not a bad thing, it's neccesary. If there were a bunch of peopel just randomly commiting murder in you neighborhood all the time . If some one who tried to stop them might have to kill them in order for them to stop killing other inocent people, would you want them to try to stop them or just let them continue killing as they pleased. That's what most wars are about these days is keeping some one from harming someone other then the person who's doing the fighting. The soldiers in Iraq aren't there protecting themselfs they are there protecting us.
I think that it isn't always right to kill to defend your self, maybe some day God will call me to lay down my life with out a fight, but I believe that we always have the right to protect other people from harm, even if it means we have to kill the person who is trying to kill them them, if things get that bad.