What do we do about the war?
I know that this blog is about LFF and those of us who left it. Sorry if this seems a little off topic. But, when I went to LFF I was a very liberal democrat (Jerry Brown Democrat) but I was convinced that I was in error (the unwritten truth was "you couldn't be a Christian and be a Democrat".) Well,(17 years later) I wrote in my notebook and asked Jesus if he would have been a Republican. Guess what, I got a resounding NO! But, he wouldn't have been a democrat or any other party.
I am embarassed to say that I went to the State Republican Convention as a Pat Robertson delegate. (That really opens up conversations!) What were we thinking. The man is totally crazy! But I lay it down to the Cultural Hegemony of our little LFF (and evangelical Christian) world view.
I have just read an article my pastor sent to me about what our president is planning for Iran, I just can't stand still! I have to do what I can to end this insanity! I am going to join protests on October 5th to call for a regime change. This war on Terror is an unwinnable war. The war on Iraq was a total failure, and in my opinion, moved by the pride of a man who thought he heard from God. I believe we need to pray for Bush. We need to pray that God would soften his heart and help him to see the folly of continuing in the way that he is.
I also hope that some of you can find it in your heart to spread the word about the protests. I hope that all of us can look in the mirror and not feel ashamed. Yes, I am a child of the 60's. But that doesn't negate the truth of pacifism. Our nation was mostly pacifist until World War II! It is not focusing on the differences between all people that will bring us together. It is seeing that we really are all one. God's love is big enough to turn this world around. But it will take us to get invovled to make it happen!
May it happen in our lifetime!
with love and peace to you all,
John Brower
congueroseattle@hotmail.com
(BTW, conguero is spanish for conga player, but maybe against the war is good too!)
Editor's note: posted with permission
13 comments:
I do not think this forum is the proper place to state your political views. This forum is for talking and healing from our LFF past. Please, let's keep to the intent of this blog and post your politcal views elsewhere. Also, asking for others to spread the word about your protests is inappropriate for this forum and makes me feel used and taken advantaqe of because I read this forum to heal from my past, not become politcal.
I am sorry if I upset you. May I submit that this is part of MY healing from LFF. I was told that I was wrong about my beliefs (in this case they were political). We are complete humans and we can not divide ourselves into compartments. I am not saying that anyone has to agree with me (in fact I would be suprised if many did). I am just saying that our belief systems have been twisted in EVERY way by our time there. Maybe it would be better to ask everyone to look at what they believe about who they are and act accordingly. Again, sorry if you feel that I am pushing an agenda. I am seriously burdened for our country and its direction and I don't see the answer coming from the person in the White House.
respectfully, John B.
I don't agree with you John.
Neither do I agree with you John.
I do not agree with John either.
I agree with John that we were encouraged to unanimously agree to Karl Barden's political beliefs, which is a pertinent topic for discussion on this blog. I don't, however, condone putting forth another political view on this blog. That is outside the stated purpose.
Thank you everyone who disagrees for not throwing stones! I think this shows that we are all maturing. I know that it has been a hard trip for me to see why I believe what I believe about life. It is only because the leadership at LFF said I should believe what I hold onto? Or, after prayer, soul searching and even intelectual research, I know what seems the most true (with the openness to the Spirit to change if I find some error in my process).
I have recently left the "New Age" church and am now going to Trinity United Methodist in Ballard. It is a very socially active church and yes the pastor is very outspoken against the war. I left the Assembly of God church I was at for years because the pastor told us we needed to support the president regardless of what he was doing. It is our "christian responsibility". I am sorry, but that is the same tactic the Nazi's used to keep the church under control. That is one of the main reasons I started going to the Center For Spiritual Living.
I am very excited about the new church. It is small, it has hosted tent city and still raises funds for them, the pastor has gone on record in the local press as saying that the president is the anti-christ. So, this may give you a little insight into where I am now coming from. Again, sorry if I offended, but this is something that is important to me.
BTW, the cool thing about blogs is that if you don't like what someone says, you don't have to read it. Thank you everyone who has weighed in so far. Personally I don't mind if the conversation continues. I am finding that it brings up things I hadn't processed yet.
John.
John, good for you getting involved with a church that reaches out to those in need in your area. I think that's one thing we really missed out on at LFF. We weren't encouraged to be compassionate people - to anyone, whether they had brought their situation on themselves, whether they were victims of their circumstances, or a combination of these. While we cannot change the foolish decisions made regarding our country's foreign policy and the idiocy of continually using our military to interfere in other countries, we can all find ways to touch others in our own communities.
I think this is a great forum to talk about whatever. Go John!!
In response to "the idiocy of continually using our military to interefere in other countries"
Unfortunately it is the idiocy of the dictators that kill and tourture their own people ruthlessly and commit horrible acts against humanity that must be brought down. We as a nation need to stand up against these acts. Speak to people from Venezuela, Cuba, Iran and Iraq (which I have) You will discover that these people are crying out for help. How would you like it if your government seized all of your assests tortured and put you in prison and killed and raped you wife and children? Are we so nieve as to ignore the plight of humanity. We have a responsibility as a nation and as Human Beings, not as republican or democrat, to topple these dictators before they become "Hitlers" of our own time. So say what you want about Bush and the republican party. But I for one will not stand for one more human life lost by passifist thinking! The strong should protect the weak reguardless of politics!
Amen!
Bush is the Hitler of our time!
I have to think about the people of Iran and Iraq right now. There is no dictator in office right now. They both have elected governments. I have tried to put myself in their place (if that is even possible). If I lived in a country that had another country come in and take over, I would be obligated to fight against (at least resist) that foreign country. That is part of our rights as humans (Life Liberty Pursuit of Happiness) self rule. So maybe the way that we understand pacifism is not the way that I meant it. Basicall it comes down to "who would Jesus bomb"? If you think about it, violence only creates more violence. The more we draw lines and look at the differences between us it is easier to look at the other people as less than human. They become "muslim extemists" "Fundamentalists" and whatever else you want to call them.
I am not saying that ending repression isn't a good thing. I am in favor of that. But on the other hand, I am suspect of our motives when the countries we chose to go into are very big oil countries. Are there other countries in the world that are being subjected to the tyranny of dictators doing the same? I know the answer is yes. The difference is the president doesn't have the same urgency to help in those countries. Maybe he doesn't see the resources there, or he doesn't feel a "biblical mandate" as he does in the Middle East.
I like the passion I see behind your post. It tells me that you really believe what you are saying and I respect that. I may not agree with you, but isn't it cool that we can both think what we want.
One problem I have with this thought "But I for one will not stand for one more human life lost by passifist thinking!" is how many lives have been lost with militarist thinking? There are always costs to paid. But what do you think Jesus would do? As people who are at least coming from a Christian World View (not that all of us consider ourselves Christian, but we are influenced by the way we see the world) we really should ask ourselves that. I can't answer for you, and you can't answer for me. We all have to stand in our own integrity and answer to only one!
BTW, I don't think that Bush is Hitler. He is not that crazy! He is probably more like Nixon in my mind. Makes really bad choices, wants to stay in control (even while everything spins out of control) and is too proud to admit he made a mistake.
Peace, John.
Interesting. I find that the reliance on "What would Jesus Do" has nothing to do with worldly politics. In a perfect world their would be no need for government, military or police. We are not living in a perfect world without evil. War and injustice is a matter that crosses over every race religion and creed. Jesus answer to government is "Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's" Government is not a Christian institution. It is affected by the views and religious beliefs of all involved.
The question is whether we will support the decisions of our government and whether they are just. What would jesus do? Not protest. He would speak of love and a higher calling but would not get involved in politics. You however are getting involved in politics. So this is not a question of our faith but a question of what is just in a society with man's imperfect government's in charge.
The same idea for Religious organizations and Business applies. The purpose of the organization may be driven by Biblical or other religious precepts but the institution itself will always be managed with imperfect instructions which may be based upon imperfect interpretaion.
P.S. What do you think of the president's talk this morning about concentration camps in Korea?
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