Replies

False dilemma. I oppose war in Syria because there are no good guys there. Both sides are vicious killers from differing sects of Islam. I didn’t serve in the US military, nor do I wish to fund it, as a mercenary army for muslim extremists.

However, the idea that war is always wrong, that war doesn’t solve anything, that only peace brings peace is nuts. Your church opposed the war in Iraq, which was a very good war in terms of protecting the USA from murdering terrorists - we killed them in Iraq by the tens of thousands. Better there, than in our schools one at a time!

WW2, Korea, Vietnam (yes, Vietnam), Iraq 1 & 2, Afghanistan - these were wars fought with good reason. Kosovo & Grenada were questionable, at best. War is not always a defeat for humanity, since it is a way of ridding evil from the world. It also is used by the Sovereign God to do His will, in ways we don’t always anticipate. (Nor does He always let us in on what He is doing).

“above all humanity, made in the image and likeness of God, is one family, in which relationships are marked by a true fraternity not only in words: the other person is a brother or sister to love, and our relationship with God, who is love, fidelity and goodness, mirrors every human relationship and brings harmony to the whole of creation”

What does scripture say? Are we all children of God?

“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”

While anyone can repent, most do not. And those men seek to do THEIR father’s work.

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.”

Those servants of God include the military, if the government is influenced by godly men. And with all its current faults, America is still much more Christian than countries like Afghanistan, Egypt - or Syria. That doesn’t mean we should attack every other country, but we should also not shrink from the godly application of force to do godly things. The problem with Syria is that there is no side worthy of help.