[bannie]

We did not start this. It has already begun. 9/11

[TommyDale]

This is total misrepresentation. This only mentions liberal churches, not the entire Evangelical movement.

Try the Southern Baptists, Church of God, or Assembly of God.

[clintonh8r]

One of the reasons I gave up on denominational Christianity long ago. I don't need a church, a minister and a congregation to form my relationship with God and Christ, especially when the "church" is becoming more of a "community center" than a place of worship, and ministers are becoming more "counselors" than preachers and enablers of salvation.

[dep]

"remder that unto caesar which is ceasar's, and that unto God which is God's."

dep

[Chi-townChief]

These "religious leaders" quoted here all seem to have their heads far up their holy butts!

[11th Earl of Mar]

Methodist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Brethren, Presbyterian, Mennonite....

Aren't these the same dying denominations we keep reading about?

Mabye there is a reason these denominations are in the shape they are in.

[Kuksool]

I thought liberals were for the "Separation of Church & State."

[thinktwice]

The ancient formula for tyrannical success --

Witch Doctors and Tribal Chiefs - Faith and Force.

[Texas2step]

From the article, "I can't find a single major Christian denomination that says yes."

Then he ain't looked hard enough.

[niteowl77]

I can't find a single major Christian denomination that says yes.

The Unitarians? When did they become a major Christian denomination? I must have blinked when it happened.

Many of the "churches" listed don't "say yes" to a lot of things: keeping pedophiles away from children, condemning abortion, allowing weapons for personal protection, and even ownership of private property.

A couple of of those nominally-Christian denominations listed also have a fair number of officials who have a hard time saying yes to the divinity of Jesus Christ and the primacy of Scripture-- which is why many people like me have an easy time saying "NO" to these organizations.

[Arthur McGowan]

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is not the "Catholic Church." The Pope is not the "Catholic Church." The "Catholic Church," for purposes of deciding issues of this kind, is what has been taught always and everywhere by the Popes and the bishops in union with him. And what that is, is the principles of a just war. It is up to those in public office, and all citizens, to apply those principles to the facts at hand, and make a judgment.

That is why the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops should issue restatements of the relevant timeless moral principles involved, but should refrain from issuing statements about particular, immediate, contingent matters.

[Iowegian]

It's a false question, we aren't staring a war, we are ending one. And yes, the writer apparently only recognizes churches with liberal leaders. They didn't ask my church, which is by design independent and does not have idiot liberals in leadership like those he quotes.

Besides, God had Israel start wars against many peoples. These liberals must have taken that out of their Bibles, or don't believe the word of God is relevent.

[MarMema]

Here's a mostly pro-war viewpoint from an Orthodox priest.

editorial

"War is evil. But it is necessary when peace and good order are threatened. This basic fact has been glossed over by years of leftist propaganda in the media and especially in education."

"America too was established by God-fearing men who founded that great nation on the basic Christian values, paying tribute to the virtues of sacrifice, honour and courage. Now we are being told that this is all bigotry and we have to consider other religions. We must not offend others with the truth. Not that the left cares about religion. The left hates absolutes except in its own godless religion of socialism."

"When I see the ‘No War’ stickers, I wonder whether these people driving their SUVs would start riding bicycles to avoid our need for oil. Would they stop flying in jets? Do they ever consider the brave men and women who gave their lives for the peace we enjoy?"

"Perhaps we as Orthodox Christians are waging a rear-guard action. Nevertheless it is our duty to sacrifice ourselves as did those before us for what is true, honest, just, pure, is lovely, or of good report.. (Phil 4: 8)"

[7 x 77]

No, say leaders of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops . . . [per] Bishop Wilton Gregory.

Gregory is a man of small worth who owes his postion to his skin color. He's the one who filled the sex-abuse oversight board with politicians, many of whom are Rats such as Robert Bennett; that Californian Congressman who was Clinton's chief of staff; and Anne Burke the judge whom the newly elected Rat governor of Illinois invited to swear him in.

[MarMema]

Have they forgotten????

[smith288]

I can't find a single major Christian denomination that says yes.

Have them call my southern baptist pastor

[gitmo]

No, say leaders of the Church of God in Christ.

"We do not find any moral justification for a preemptive strike in the absence of an attack, or real threat of an attack, upon the United States.

[Charles Henrickson]

". . . it is difficult to justify resort to war against Iraq, lacking clear and adequate evidence of an imminent attack of a grave nature or Iraq's involvement in the terrorist attacks of September 11," wrote Bishop Wilton Gregory.

I agree with Bishop Gregory. But before you flame me, let me explain.

He is right about the possible criteria for a "just" preemptive strike:

1) the threat of an imminent attack of a serious nature, and/or

2) involvement in past terrorist attacks.

So now the question becomes: Is there evidence that the Saddam Hussein regime in Iraq meets either or both of those criteria?

If the answer is yes, then a preemptive, measured strike--with the goal of removing Saddam from power, defeating his forces, and eliminating the threat of his weapons--is indeed justified.

As to threat of imminent attack, an analogy can be made to a deranged, dangerous individual who hates your guts and now has a gun aimed against you and your family. He needn't have already pulled the trigger for you to act in self-defense.

And as to involvement in past terrorist attacks--by "involvement" I mean sponsoring, supporting, or sheltering the terrorists, and by "past attacks" I include not just 9-11 but also the 1993 WTC bombing, the USS Cole, etc.--if Saddam has been involved in past attacks against the United States, then a military strike by us would not really be "preemptive" or a "first" strike, would it?

Furthermore, in carrying out a military action, it is necessary for our government to proceed in a legitimate, orderly way, according to the established authority. Under our Constitution, then, it is incumbent upon the Bush Administration to present the evidence to Congress (this can be done without compromising our intelligence operations) and to receive a formal Declaration of War (not just some previous 9-11 "resolution").

Oh, I happen to be a Lutheran minister (Missouri Synod, the "conservative" Lutherans, in contrast to the extremely liberal ELCA mentioned in the article). The Lutheran Confessions do permit a "just war," as it has historically been defined. As far as the current Iraqi situation, though, I speak only for myself and not for our church body, since we have not taken an official position on it.

[valkyrieanne]

As I recall, Jesus called the leaders of His own people at one time "whitened sepulchers."

[Ligeia]

Tomorrow, March 3, 2003 (03.03.03) has been designated a worldwide day of prayer concerning the conflict with Iraq and for our military. We had 250 people praying last Tuesday evening for 600 individual deployed servicemen and women related to our church family, as well as for political leaders around the world.

Another special prayer time will be held tomorrow between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at my church. Others are participating, also. No Christian I know really wants war, of course, but there are plenty of us who support the removal of evil from this world; a task that can only be accomplished with God's blessing and assistance. Scripture is clear: we'll never be rid of all of it, but we'll do our part to remove what we can.