Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Methodist Bishops Criticize War
AP ^ | 11-9-01

Posted on 11/09/2001 9:46:53 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer

Edited on 04/13/2004 3:29:03 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

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.


(Excerpt) Read more at bayarea.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

1 posted on 11/09/2001 9:46:53 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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.

2 posted on 11/09/2001 9:53:22 AM PST by B Knotts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
I wonder what their statement was about the events of September 11...
3 posted on 11/09/2001 9:59:16 AM PST by freedomcrusader
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
If military action does not end terrorism, what will? They won't go away by wishing for it.
4 posted on 11/09/2001 9:59:34 AM PST by stanz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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?

5 posted on 11/09/2001 10:00:55 AM PST by Gumlegs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
Well, if I were a Methodist, think I'd be looking for another denomination to join.
6 posted on 11/09/2001 10:02:40 AM PST by dawn53
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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?
7 posted on 11/09/2001 10:04:10 AM PST by Alas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
Somebody needs to read the Book of Joshua to these clowns.
8 posted on 11/09/2001 10:04:23 AM PST by Dominus Vobiscum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dawn53
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

9 posted on 11/09/2001 10:04:35 AM PST by Jarhead_22
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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.

10 posted on 11/09/2001 10:05:15 AM PST by TontoKowalski
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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!

11 posted on 11/09/2001 10:05:28 AM PST by G.Mason
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
They're probably female bishops.
12 posted on 11/09/2001 10:06:10 AM PST by biblewonk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
This is not Bush's denomination.
13 posted on 11/09/2001 10:06:45 AM PST by latrans
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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.

14 posted on 11/09/2001 10:08:05 AM PST by Cassanova Frankenstein
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer; OLDWORD
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

15 posted on 11/09/2001 10:08:48 AM PST by Congressman Billybob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
Subtitle: Why I am now a Southern Babtist
16 posted on 11/09/2001 10:09:34 AM PST by Viet Vet in Augusta GA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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.
17 posted on 11/09/2001 10:09:46 AM PST by kidd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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.

18 posted on 11/09/2001 10:11:20 AM PST by Cicero
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
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.
19 posted on 11/09/2001 10:12:36 AM PST by B-Chan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oldeconomybuyer
Guess that means 10,000 more new Catholics this year.
20 posted on 11/09/2001 10:13:49 AM PST by The Old Hoosier
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson