This week I’m laying out a case for Christians not participating in war nor in the military. I had laid out the basic reasons a couple of weeks ago and am now analyzing the four principal ones that I mentioned.
One big reason I see for not participating in war is the deceit that surrounds it. Wars are complex things with multiple causes and myriad effects. There’s hardly anyone that fully understands all the reasons for a war when that war begins. Even when leaders have nefarious goals in view, they always present their wars as justified reactions to some wrong. Every nation is waging a just war; every country has God on their side; every arm fights for the side of justice.
Talking about this point is always a bit delicate, because we prefer the edited-for-public-consumption view of history. We want to look back at history in simple terms, like the inspiring stories taught to school children. Any attempts to pull back the curtain on the ruse is quickly labeled as “America bashing.” But we need to be able to discuss realities, not just popular lore.
Almost every war that the United States has been involved in has had a dark side to it. (I say almost because I’m not knowledgeable enough to speak of all of them.) People manipulated that conflict for their own ends. Soldiers were sent to fight based on a misconception. These men responded with courage and sacrifice. Most of them joined for honorable reasons and honor marked their time of service. It’s not the common soldier that is to blame.
It’s not always the leaders, either. They can also be duped into believing falsehoods regarding a war. The U.S. government was fooled into thinking Iraq had weapons of mass destruction, for example. But I’m cynical enough about government to think that those moments are the exception. Too many times, wars are fought for political or economic gain, and the leaders are well aware of that. It’s the general public and the common soldier that gets manipulated into thinking the fighting is for a higher cause.
It’s amazing to me how Americans can distrust their political system on so many levels, yet place blind faith in the very same leaders when it comes to sending our young people to kill and be killed. Just as the powers seek their own ends, so the servants of those powers become a part of the system, justifying the deaths of innocents for the “greater good” of the preservation of the machinery.
The United States is not unique in this. This country is no worse than other nations of this world. We just need to drop the myth that we are somehow exempt from the ills that plague the others. We need to accept the fact that our nation seeks its own good above all, and the leaders of our nation sometimes act seeking their own goals. Politics, personal ambition and the quest for pre-eminence in this world; all these things play a part in the decisions made to unleash the horrors of war.
I don’t want to be a part of it. I don’t want my children to be sucked into that. I don’t want to see the church saddled with the weight of using valuable resources to support a web of deceit and lies. We are the church, and when we give our young people to the military, when we support the military system, we take from the Kingdom of God and give to the kingdoms of this world.
It’s time to say: no more.
“It’s amazing to me how Americans can distrust their political system on so many levels, yet place blind faith in the very same leaders when it comes to sending our young people to kill and be killed.”
I don’t know why that has never occurred to me before
Have you noticed this, though: that Christians may be likely to question every military action promoted by one party while rallying behind every military move endorsed by the other? In other words, we support participation/non-participation when it suits the comfortable patterns of our secular ideology.
Robert,
One of the reasons I also advocate non-participation in politics. But that’s another post.
Grace and peace,
Tim
I agree, well said. Nations of the world will all pass away, they are prone to lying, and nothing you can do for your nation will have lasting effects.
The Kingdom of God stands eternally, it is based on pure truth and can not lie, and everything you do to further this kingdom sticks with you forever. We just so happen to be citezens of this Kingdom, and as for where we are now, we’re just here on buissness for our King.
Serve man to take lives, or serve God to win souls. As for me, I choose the latter.
This is slightly off topic but it is recent news from the Christian Chronicle:
http://www.christianchronicle.org/blog/2011/06/counter-protest-at-marines-funeral-draws-thousands-to-nashville-church/
The deceit involved in an entry into war is monstrous. In addition to the example you used of WMD in Iraq, consider the following:
* The “Remember the Maine” yellow journalism that propelled us into the Spanish-American War.
* There is some reason to believe Winston Churchill, by putting munitions in a neutral ship, precipitated the U-Boat attack on the Lucitania, that drew us into WWI.
* Some still believe Roosevelt manipulated the Japanese into bombing Pearl Harbor.
* Do you remember the “Gulf of Tonkin” incident that gave cover for Johnson to escalate the war in Vietnam.
* Whether it was diplomatic ineptness or deliberate deceit, there is reason to believe we had previously given a wink and nod to Sadam Husain prior to his invasion of Kuwait – which we then used as an excuse to go to war against him.
All of the talk about wars in far-flung areas of the globe to “protect our freedom” is so much hogwash. What these wars are doing is bleeding our country so that we are becoming less secure instead of more. I cannot help but remember that the Fall of Rome came through two things: a series of wars on the far frontiers of the Empire and deep corruption at home. In these, we are heading down the same path Rome took.
The advance of the Kingdom of God does not depend on America – but American militarism can certainly make advancing God’s Kingdom more difficult for American citizens of God’s Kingdom when they work in foreign places.
Jerry
Some of the lyrics to “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath do speak the uncomfortable truth…
“Generals gathered in their masses.
Just like witches at black masses.
Evil minds that plot destruction.
Sorcerers of death’s construction.
In the fields the bodies burning.
As the war machine keeps turning.
Death and hatred to mankind.
Poisoning their brainwashed minds.
Oh lord yeah!
“Politicians hide themselves away.
They only started the war.
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor.”
…and yes, I bet you never thought a Black Sabbath song would come up in a discussion on your blog :-).
Grace and Peace,
Rex
All corporations work for their own good above all, but cloak themselves in the mantle of caring for the customer and staff.
The deceit argument would limit Christian employment to family farming and ministry.
Unless killing in war is a worse sin than perpetuating economic slavery.
Nick,
My guess is that you’d have to leave ministry out as well. ;-)
There’s something different about military service in this country. Our soldiers are revered. People stand and clap when they walk through airports. As I mentioned the other day, people take passages that talk about Christ and apply them to soldiers. (And people get angry with me when I question the appropriateness of that!) My congregation has a “Helping Our Heroes” program, with most people feeling comfortable with calling all military personnel “heroes.”
I don’t see that happening with other occupations. To be honest, all of us should probably spend more time looking at the actions of big corporations. I know that wars were fought in Central America so that certain fruit companies could continue to obtain bananas. Goods we buy are getting cheaper and cheaper because workers are being exploited in other countries. I’m beginning to see why Shane Claiborne makes his own clothes.
So there’s some validity to your argument. But I still think when Christians let others tell them when and where to kill, when we let politicians define who our enemies are, something is very wrong.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
I can’t believe what I,m hearing/reading. Surely my eyes fool me. How could those who say Paul, like Jesus spoke only the words given him by God, How could they disagree with Paul so much. without opposing God?
NIV – Rom 13:1 – Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
NIV – Rom 13:4 – For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
NIV – Rom 13:5 – Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Paul surely justifies salary, tribute and honor for those who stand between us and wrongdoers , those who would do us harm. “for they are God’s ministers”
Laymond,
Since when do you stand up for Paul? You have no problem disagreeing with him on a regular basis.
And nothing that has been said contradicts Romans 13 in any way. Or do you think that Paul would have said that Nero was an honest, upright man?
Blessings,
Tim
I only know what Paul is said to have said, I have no idea why. But I do recall those who said Pauls writings were inspired. And it seems to me you are running down the very inity Paul said to honor.
entity, my hand followed my brain and that can be confusing.
Laymond,
I’ve written 15 posts on my understanding of Romans 13. I won’t repeat all of that, but will just say that we have a very different understanding of the meaning of that passage.
http://www.timothyarcher.com/kitchen/?cat=178
Grace and peace,
Tim
Tim, I have heard other takes on this passage by Paul as well, but I have never gotten a satisfactory answer to what he meant when he said “NIV – Rom 13:6 – This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. ” In my mind it runs along with when he said we are to pay the preachers, here he said we are to pay the law enforcers, “The Government” . What did he mean when he said “this is why you pay taxes” I am not taking sides in this argument between You and Paul. I have my beliefs as to why he said what he did” location, location ,location” all things to all people.
That’s funny, Laymond. A satisfactory answer? Can you point to one discussion on the Internet where you admitted that someone had given a satisfactory answer? If you can, then I’ll try and make it twice. If not, then we know where the problem lies, don’t we?
Tim, you are right I didn’t buy your involuntary service, over a year ago, and I don’t buy it now, why would Paul say we must pay taxes to support these accidental servants. I don’t see it that way, but I also know that is the only way you can in good conscience support your anti-government teachings. Paul was talking about the Roman government, an earthly government, not a heavenly government. Paul even took advantage of his Roman citizenship . He certianly didn’t deny it. But like I said that is between Pauls writings and yourself.
Couldn’t find the place where you actually tried to learn something on someone’s blog? Where you did something besides argue? I assumed not.
Which explains why you’ve never gotten a “satisfactory answer” to your objections. I’m done.
Thanks Tim, going on your blog is kinda like going on “hardball” with Chris Matthews, I know I will never win, but at least I get to speak my mind. :)
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