Should we continue the conversation about war?
We Must Keep Talking About War!
This issue separates Christians like no other! The “Is God pro-war?” episode of Ask God! brought more e-mail to my in-box than any other show! From every direction, I heard passion:
“Your death statistics were exaggerated”
or they were “woefully inadequate;”
Your pro-war
or anti-war comments were “unholy”;
Your use of the Bible to discuss war was “twisted for peace”
or those Bible verses showed you were “war-mongers!”
and on and on it went.
A few of the e-mails looked a bit hateful…though the senders probably intended only to accurately identify idiots - and defend their faith or their soldier or something else precious to them. Other e-mails contained moving, emotional slide shows of soldiers set to music. Such difference. Such polarizing passion. In my own community, there is one church comprised of Hmong refuges of war, another church whose pastors are leading peace activists, and another whose political association with pro-life has led to pro-war pulpit proclamations.
Given all the controversy about war among Christians, some have suggested that we just not talk about it. Even this communication professor shuddered a bit when opening some of those e-mails, wishing that I could think about something else instead. Sometimes I wonder if we care enough to keep talking. Even as thousands of children are daily forced to become soldiers and war rages in many horrific shapes across our planet, Americans have identified the economy as their top priority in exit polling during our recent primary season.
Should we continue this conversation? Absolutely. Whatever it entails, however difficult it becomes, and however uncertain we may be. Those ultimate commands, “Love God and love your neighbor” should compel us not to look the other way.
Can the Bible and God be used to justify war? Well, yes. Obviously. Many war supporters quote the Bible in sermons, web-sites, radio shows, political rallies and around dinner tables. And, does the Bible talk about peace? C’mon. Of course it does. Whole movements of Christ-followers have been organized around the peace component of the Christian message. So how can we talk about this divisive issue in any constructive way? First, when need to become informed, so our talk is not based in ignorance. And then, we need to initiate conversation about how to respond to war with compassion.
¬Converse Informed. One approach to dealing with controversial issues is to start with your opinion and then look for Bible verses and other people to back you up. You can justify almost any position with that approach to “reasoning.” But knowing that there is a great difference of opinion among thinking Christians on this issue, another approach is strongly recommended! Start by developing some good open-ended questions: How are patriotism and faith connected? How can we interpret the stories of war in the Old Testament? What did Jesus say and do about injustice? Then, read credible Christian authors who have different opinions on these war-related subjects - from those who hold non-violence as an ultimate value to those who promote the “just war” doctrine. Read stories of those who have survived war - both as civilian victims of refuge camps and as soldiers who became POWs. Talk through your questions with people whose life experiences with war differ. Let these conversations expand your thinking and connect to your understanding of Scripture and history and your faith.
¬Converse Compassionately. Pursue these conversations. Christian communication should be radical and counter-cultural. How can you respond to the issue of war in ways that show love to your neighbor? In my community, national guard friends and neighbors continue to be deployed, yellow ribbons wave in the breeze in many front lawns, politicians speak about their plans to affect the outcome of the Iraq war, Hmong refuge families struggle with numerous issues, and children mourn as news from Iraq reveals that a favorite teacher has been killed. The opportunities for me to use my voice constructively are numerous and clear. I should do something. I can converse with others who are apathetic to motivate them to do something too. What’s happening where you live? How will you vote, once informed? How does your church intersect with victims of war? Can you begin conversations that need to be held among people of faith who are currently silent or polarized on this issue? While you work to inform yourself, and shape a Christ-like opinion about war, don’t wait for clarity to use your voice in loving ways to respond to war right now.
