What do you think of a non-violent approach to life and
faith?
I have been fascinated by how many people were so against
war when Bush was in office but are strangely silent now that their candidate is
the president (a note for the reader – I did not vote for Bush or Obama in the
last election). It was an outrage
for "peace" voters when G.W. pressed for continued military intrusion into other parts of the world, but now
it is somehow justifiable. If it
was outrageous then, what makes it different now? There is no difference in policy that I can see. I must admit, my own attitudes and thoughts
about war are changing. I find
myself more and more attracted to an Anabaptistic ethic. I seriously want to figure out how to
be pro-life…completely pro-life. I
don’t think I want to be involved in killing anybody – unborn babies or my enemy. I want to be counted among the
peace-makers.
Here is a short video that I watched this morning that
rattled me a bit. Got it from my
local and blogging friend Eric Blauer.
http://fcb4.tumblr.com/
E – it was already too late for me. I stopped believ’in about 4 or 5 elections ago. Nonetheless, I want me some good old peace-loving outrage from the folk that once carried pickets around.
The fact you highlight is the one of the most disillusioning truth to emerge from the election of Obama. That words are often used for political gain. Peace was raped for ulterior motives…and the child born is more generational mistrust.
I’m reading. 🙂
Non-violence is tough. It makes me squirm, because I know it’s right but it’s so impossible. That’s usually a good indication that Jesus is at work.
“Fight for your rights!” So American – so fundamentally un-Christian.
Thanks for weighing BD. After just starting this up again, it might be just you and I reading it. 🙂
The note that many who were incensed about war during the Bush years seem to be quiet now is a good one to be made Rob. I have wondered about that some myself.
I think it is something very human of us to tend to judge those who are “other” but to be kinder to those in the opposite camp. It’s interesting that Jesus seems to have talked about this- saying we should invite those who we won’t benefit from and love our enemies and that we are judged by the measure that we judge.
It’s nice to know though, that I’m not the only one feeling the crazy move more and more towards anabaptism!