GospelJohn
Registered Senior Member
A challenging question for Believers is determining if it is ever appropriate for governments to declare war. If Jesus is the Pattern for us all, when do we do as He suggested and turn the other cheek? Is violence ever an appropriate response for any person or country? In my opinion, following a peaceful approach does not mean we should ignore obvious dangers that threaten us. Each person needs to be protected in such a way that it is not in conflict with loving each other as He loves us. But how do we get from where we are today to everyone being our brothers' keeper?
When any government or person feels threatened, they typically react in fear and anger. Historically speaking, after the fighting stops, the USA does its best to rebuild what was destroyed. We pay the bills during the war, and later we help to rebuild schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. I’m in agreement to handle the process this way as things stand now, but this can also be improved. Imagine how difficult it would be for other countries to see the USA as the "bad guy" if instead of investing the same billions spent on the war in Iraq we put those funds toward humanitarian efforts in the Middle East and elsewhere? But how do we know such efforts would not be supporting a regime or people who would gladly take our money and still consider the USA as their enemy?
I think this question is answered much in the same way as the intention we should hold when tithing. If we truly offer what we will in a spirit of love and cooperation, we will not be harmed or disappointed by the results. Our intention will be felt and understood by the people, by the government and by the world as a whole if we give to others unconditionally. Getting everyone on the same page with that intention is a challenge, but that is a poor reason to not move in that direction.
Voluntarily raising money to aid other countries when we have so much humanitarian need at home is not as easy as raising money for war. Fear seems to be a much greater motivator than does love as is evident with over 20 times more of the USA's annual budget being spent towards defense over economic aid. How can we all agree to reach out to others in love rather than in doubt and fear? It takes a vastly different view of life than is common today. Clearly, we must all agree that we are our brother's keeper, but that we are “wise as serpents yet harmless as doves” as we offer our helping hand.
Remember back to 9/11 when our citizens raised great sums of money voluntarily for the victims in New York? The people did this because they saw the victims as "family," as people they felt responsible for aiding in their recovery. We can help the world to help itself by manifesting a generous, loving perspective and approach that affirms we are all God’s beloved children.
When we're eventually all living together as a patient, loving and cooperative family, there will be no one left to bomb. And that is my answer to the question posed in the title of this post. What's yours?
When any government or person feels threatened, they typically react in fear and anger. Historically speaking, after the fighting stops, the USA does its best to rebuild what was destroyed. We pay the bills during the war, and later we help to rebuild schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. I’m in agreement to handle the process this way as things stand now, but this can also be improved. Imagine how difficult it would be for other countries to see the USA as the "bad guy" if instead of investing the same billions spent on the war in Iraq we put those funds toward humanitarian efforts in the Middle East and elsewhere? But how do we know such efforts would not be supporting a regime or people who would gladly take our money and still consider the USA as their enemy?
I think this question is answered much in the same way as the intention we should hold when tithing. If we truly offer what we will in a spirit of love and cooperation, we will not be harmed or disappointed by the results. Our intention will be felt and understood by the people, by the government and by the world as a whole if we give to others unconditionally. Getting everyone on the same page with that intention is a challenge, but that is a poor reason to not move in that direction.
Voluntarily raising money to aid other countries when we have so much humanitarian need at home is not as easy as raising money for war. Fear seems to be a much greater motivator than does love as is evident with over 20 times more of the USA's annual budget being spent towards defense over economic aid. How can we all agree to reach out to others in love rather than in doubt and fear? It takes a vastly different view of life than is common today. Clearly, we must all agree that we are our brother's keeper, but that we are “wise as serpents yet harmless as doves” as we offer our helping hand.
Remember back to 9/11 when our citizens raised great sums of money voluntarily for the victims in New York? The people did this because they saw the victims as "family," as people they felt responsible for aiding in their recovery. We can help the world to help itself by manifesting a generous, loving perspective and approach that affirms we are all God’s beloved children.
When we're eventually all living together as a patient, loving and cooperative family, there will be no one left to bomb. And that is my answer to the question posed in the title of this post. What's yours?
