Was Bush's response to Sept. 11 attacks un-Christian?

Associated Press ^ | Article published May 25, 2006 | RICHARD N. OSTLING

[indyreb]

Article published May 25, 2006 Was Bush's response to Sept. 11 attacks un-Christian?

RICHARD N. OSTLING Associated Press Writer

The news media focuses on evangelical and Roman Catholic politicking, routinely ignoring such liberal Protestant activism as United Methodist Church officials' onslaught against policies of George W. Bush, an adult convert to their denomination.

Underlying issues: Must Christians oppose the Iraq war? Warfare in general?

The Methodists' chief social-issues spokesman, Jim Winkler, believes Congress should "impeach President Bush." He proposed that during the annual "Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace With Justice," attended by 923 progressives, mostly from the National Council of Churches and member denominations (e.g., the United Methodists, Christian Church-Disciples of Christ, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA and United Church of Christ).

The House Judiciary Committee's ranking Democrat had already submitted a bill authorizing investigation of impeachable offenses.

Winkler's complaint: "The attack on Iraq was sold to our people on lies, and the war itself was an illegal war of aggression" that included things such as "unconstitutional" National Security Agency surveillance."There was nothing Christian in (Bush's) response to Sept. 11," Winkler asserted. "The war on terror is a war of terror. We have to stop it."

Strict Christian pacifists such as Mennonites and Quakers resist all war-making. They apply biblical teachings from Jesus and Paul about peacemaking not just to personal relations but to international affairs.

Winkler, who wants the U.S. defense budget slashed by 80 percent, could be considered a semipacifist. He said "Jesus Christ, if not a pacifist Himself," at least "chose a nonviolent course of action." He also cited Paul: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. ... So far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves" (Romans 12:17-19).

That reflects the Methodists' official Social Principles: "We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ" and reject it "as an instrument of national foreign policy."

That text also says many believe that in "extreme situations" when all alternatives fail and "the need is clear beyond reasonable doubt," combat using "international organizations" may be better than allowing "unchecked aggression, tyranny and genocide."The Methodists are America's third-largest religious body. The bishops of the largest, Roman Catholicism, said before the Iraq invasion that they questioned the morality of pre-emptive and unilateral action and saw no grave danger of Iraqi attacks or evidence that that nation was involved in Sept. 11.

Updating matters this year, the bishops' international policy chairman rejected both "cut and run" and "stay the course" policies. He said that now, America has "moral responsibilities to help Iraqis secure and rebuild their country." U.S. troops should leave "sooner rather than later" but remain pending a "responsible transition" to provide security, stability and the rule of law.

There's no hesitation with the hawkish Southern Baptist Convention, America's second-largest denomination.

Last year's annual Baptist meeting said Bush "has shown courage and leadership in his valiant opposition to terrorism. ... We express deepest gratitude and respect for our president in light of the gravity of the decisions he must make and the leadership role he fills."

The Baptists found scriptural warrant in 1 Timothy 2:2, which commends prayer "for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life." An earlier Baptist statement defending the war on terror said the Bible commands "civil authorities to restrain evil and to punish evildoers through the power of the sword," citing Paul in Romans 13:1-5.The National Association of Evangelicals includes pacifists, and its "Call to Civic Responsibility" last year said members disagree about use of the military "to defend our homelands, rescue others from attack or liberate other people from oppression."

[Wilhelm Tell]

My guess is that these people are already freedom-hating socialists and are trying to twist Scripture to justify their beliefs.

The people who preach "nonviolence" while they condemn America for protecting itself are the very same people who praise armed communist "revolutionary" movements. They also are sympathetic to Islamist terrorists (I don't think they would come out and say it but they seem to view Islamofascism as a "liberation" movement).

[Northern Yankee]

I think you're absolutely right.

A theologian pointed out that at the moment Jesus was arrested, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter cut the ear of the slave of the High Priest.

Jesus told Peter to put his sword back in his sheath, he did not tell him to throw away his sword.

There is meaning in words, and many seem to forget that.

I remember getting into a debate last year with a woman from my parish about the Iraq war. She thought those protesting the war were the courageous ones, and this was not a justifiable war.

I countered that the courageous ones were battling the terrorists, and that freeing millions of people from tyrannical rule was a good thing. If an opinion runs counter to their argument, then it must be "un Christian", and not worthy of consideration.

She was reduced to calling me names. You're right, as long as it suits their needs, they can justify what ever they want.

[Raycpa]

Here is one thing that Jesus said about the use of violence

John 18:35"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

36Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."

I note that in the above circumstance, Jesus did not limit the potential use of violence. These religious leaders would have been appalled if Bush used the saving of one innocent Iraqi as a pretext of war.

However, if they keep reading about what Jesus said they might not like what he would say about their call for impeachment

Matthew 12:25Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?

[armydawg1]

"Progressives" A cloak word leftist defeatists love to call themselves.

Meanwhile, the Methodist Church continues to lose members while the Baptist Church continues to gain.

No mention of cutting off the heads of innocents, killing civilians, butchering children and women. No mention of the value of freedom, the cost of freedom and the eternal war against evil.

Once again the big media makes me want to vomit.

[GOP_Party_Animal]

The "sink emperor"?

A common FR synonymn for the so-called man who infested the White House between 1993 and 2001.

Help me out - where do you get "sink emperor"?

[ovrtaxt]

These journalists really need to research their subject before they write stupid columns. Here's God's opinion on just and honorable civil authority:

Romans 13:1 ¶Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Now, some people will say "what about communist governments? or the Nazis? or Kim Jong Il? Did God ordain them?" OF course not. Satan has been usurping true authority for centuries and millenia. It's the church's job to TAKE IT BACK.

[moneyrunner]

I am constantly amazed by the fact that as I sit in my Methodist Church pew, that the Jim Winklers of this world are never found in my Methodist congregation. Where do these people come from and how do they get where they are? What is it about a religious bureaucracy that attracts the Jim Winklers and what does it say about a church leadership that these people are appointed as spokesmen? More HERE

[bert]

A better question is "Is the AssociatePress an American enemy?"

Who has done the greater harm Al Queda or the AP?

[Prov3456]

What I find most frustrating is that these are the very same people who will blame the President for "not doing enough" if/when we are hit with another 9/11, or when one of our cities is nuked.

Ironically, Mr. Winkler and much of the hierarchy of the UMC live along the east coast, in NYC and DC where future attacks on America are likely to occur.

[ovrtaxt]

ping to post 26- more scriptural truth which blows holes into these leftists misconceptions about Christianity.

[MadIvan]

Suicide is a tremendous sin. Apparently these leftists have forgotten that.

Regards, Ivan

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

I'm beyond tired of hearing liars accuse Bush of having lied about reasons to invade Iraq.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

"The attack on Iraq was sold to our people on lies, and the war itself was an illegal war of aggression" that included things such as "unconstitutional" National Security Agency surveillance."There was nothing Christian in (Bush's) response to Sept. 11," Winkler asserted. "The war on terror is a war of terror.

You claim that Mr. Bush was wrong, but you may be mistaken. It would be uncharitable, even arrogant, of me to assert that you lied if I believe your opinion to be incorrect. But then, that seems to be exactly how you treat Mr. Bush.

[Caipirabob]

Maybe these leftist idiots should provide an example for all Christians and simply "forgive" President Bush for protecting them with courageous and decisive leadership all these years in the WOT. Y'all never know, we might learn somethin'...

; )

[ovrtaxt]

By the way, that scripture in post 26 is also very apropriate on Memorial Day.

The Bible states that soldiers, cops, agents of just authority in general, are ministers of God!

Lord, may You bless and keep all those in service this day, and may those who have given their lives be eternally honored. Amen.

[humblegunner]

"We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ" and reject it "as an instrument of national foreign policy."

Such wrong-headedness is self correcting.

The terrorists want us DEAD, not converted, not subservient.. DEAD.

The only option is to make them dead first.

[freedomfiter2]

Was Bush's response to Sept. 11 attacks un-Christian?


Let's see,Murder was commited in the US

The civil authorities are commanded by God to
execute murderers.

Bush tried to kill the murderers.

YES

[vimto]

"To say 'no terrorism, no war', is as sensible as saying 'no illness, no hospitals'."

A French conservative who recently died said that, anyone know his name?

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

But for the militant antislavery turn of Christianity in general and the Protestant churches in particular in the 18th and 19th centuries, slavery would be as commonplace now as it was in the time of the start of the book of Exodus.

[GarySpFc]

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