Methodist Bishops Criticize War

AP ^ | 11-9-01

[Oldeconomybuyer]

LAKE JUNALUSKA, N.C. (AP) -- President Bush's denomination, the United Methodist Church, implicitly criticized the U.S. war effort Friday, declaring that "violence in all of its forms and expressions is contrary to God's purpose for the world."

The statement by the denomination's bishops referred to the Sept. 11 attacks and bioterrorism attacks but offered no justification for the American military response.

[B Knotts]

Egad.

If there were ever a case for "just war," this is it.

It would be immoral to fail to protect innocents from slaughter by terrorists.

[freedomcrusader]

I wonder what their statement was about the events of September 11...

[stanz]

If military action does not end terrorism, what will? They won't go away by wishing for it.

[Gumlegs]

Three weeks ago, the denomination's social-issues board said that terrorists must be brought to justice, but "war is not an appropriate means of responding to criminal acts against humanity" and "military actions will not end terrorism."

Do they think our side was wrong to fight World War II?

[dawn53]

Well, if I were a Methodist, think I'd be looking for another denomination to join.

[Alas]

These would be the same bishops that support the slaughter of 1.4 million babies each year while they sleep peacefully within their mothers wombs? That's 1,400,000 dead babies each year in just the USA. But these bishops are afraid we'll hurt a terrorist?

[Dominus Vobiscum]

Somebody needs to read the Book of Joshua to these clowns.

[Jarhead_22]

Well, if I were a Methodist, think I'd be looking for another denomination to join.

Roger that. The Methodists are the ones who called for a ban on handguns, aren't they? Run, don't walk.

Semper Fidelis

[TontoKowalski]

I went through an intense emotional struggle last year, and, after much prayer, resigned my membership in the Methodist Church.

I'm reassured through this article that I made the right decision.

[G.Mason]

The solution is right in front of their pious noses.

Run for election

Win the election

Insitute your pious, bend over, get stuck in the butt, proposals.

Next!

[biblewonk]

They're probably female bishops.

[latrans]

This is not Bush's denomination.

[Cassanova Frankenstein]

Three weeks ago, the denomination's social-issues board said that terrorists must be brought to justice

I'd like to see these "Bishops" serve the warrent.

[Congressman Billybob]

Apparently, these Methodist Bishops have not read the Old Testament. There's some serious stuff in there about warfare that was approved by The Almighty, in writing, no less. Does the name "Jerico" ring a bell for these folks? Unless the Good Book is wrong, God took a direct hand in the outcome of that particular battle. Joshua didn't accomplish the victory alone.

Then there is some more modern evidence of "just wars" by the United States. Perhaps the Bishops could look up the World War I song, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition."

When international criminals are supported by a state, warfare is the only way to get them. Perhaps the Bishops would learn a thing or two by cracking a history book and looking in the index for the name "Hitler."

On the other hand, if the Bishops feel so strongly about "arresting" Osama bin Laden, I'm sure the US government would issue each and every one of them a pair of handcuffs. Then they could pass the plate for airfare, and go to Afghanistan to try "their way" of dealing with the situation.

As is said at the end of most services, "Peace be with you." World history demonstrates that sometimes peace grows out of the barrel of a gun, and only that way.

The press, of course, eats this up, and takes a slap at Bush by noting that this is "his" denomination.

Congressman Billybob

[Viet Vet in Augusta GA]

Subtitle: Why I am now a Southern Babtist

[kidd]

Glad to be Catholic. JPII says its ok to kick Taliban butt. He says its a "just" war. He says we have a right to defend ourselves.

[Cicero]

The Methodists for the most part are "Mainline" Protestants, which is to say rich, liberal, and infected by modernist shibboleths. There are exceptions, of course, as there are for the other Mainline Churches. John Wesley was a great Christian. But the denomination he founded has gone a good long way downhill, for the most part.

I believe Bush IS a Methodist, although he evidently picks his congregations in Texas and Washington to favor those that still have an evangelical spirit.

[B-Chan]

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part III, Section 2, Chapter 2, Article 5:

 

2307 The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to action so that the divine Goodness may free us from the ancient bondage of war.

2308 All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war.

However, "as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power,
governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed."

2309 The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration.
The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:

- the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;

- all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;

- there must be serious prospects of success;

- the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modem means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine.

The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good [i.e., the government].
 

With the above in mind, there is no doubt that our war against the Taliban is a just war by Christian standards.

[The Old Hoosier]

Guess that means 10,000 more new Catholics this year.