Ethics Daily is reporting that the Selective Service made an unannounced visit to the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Md. The Selective Service denied that the visit had anything to do with plans for reinstating the military draft. Nevertheless, church leaders were left with a chill from the visit. The Church of the Brethren is one of the historic peace churches.
Few Baptists have been pacifists. In the past, we've been fairly "realistic" in supporting the use of force by legitimate authorities for "just wars." In my eyes, the current war in Iraq has put this "Christian realism" to the test. All the "just war" arguments I've heard are just fig leaves in this conflict.
It makes me wonder whether the Mennonites and Brethren haven't been right about the use of force all along.
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New Twist on Stained Glass
7 hours ago
2 comments:
Bruce,
I'm pretty sure they have been right all along. I've recently "converted" to pacifism myself because I'm convinced that is the way of the kingdom. We're supposed to model an alternate way, a way without violence and coercion. Of course, no one is a pacifist until those convictions are tested. Thanks for broaching the subject, and I'm expecting the draft sometime in 2005.
I am very grateful for your spiritual voice on these very important issues facing our country today. Your words resonate with the true Spirit of Christ. I am appalled at the voices in the religious media who profess to be Christian. How do you recognize a false prophet? By their fruits....
Godspeed to you!
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