BoppWeBlog

I read this quote the other day by Hanan Ashrawi, a proponent of nonviolent resistance in Iraq. “Everyone knows what kind of war the United States can make. We long to see what kind of peace the United States can make”. To take this even further Rose Berger, an editor of Sojourners says based on the previous quote. “Everyone knows what kind of war Christians can make. We long to see what kind of peace Christians can make.”

These quotes really resonate with me. They convict me as a Christian, and as an American. It gets me thinking about the violent things Christians have participated in over the years. The crusades to even aligning with Nazism. Now these are extremes, and I don’t want to dwell on these sad historical events, because there have been countless great things accomplished in the name of Jesus as well. But it does seem like there are far too many Christians willing and almost eager to resort to war or violence. It should be just the opposite. Its seems to me that to be a ‘Christian’ by definition is to be an advocate of peace at whatever cost. Insted, it seems that it’s the so called liberals who are the peacemakers and those who represent Christ to many are remaining quiet, or even advocating military action.

In the words of Lee Greenwood “I’m proud to be an American”, which is why I want so badly to help our nation become even greater by demonstrating what it is capable of. Not in terms of military force, but through the power of peacemaking. To many people in the world the US represents Christianity, which is why as a Christian I feel so strongly that we do what we can to change the perception of our country.

Most everyone would say they believe in the sanctity of life. Why then, when it comes to our political parties, does one side pick some areas and not others? There are many issues here in America that I believe fall in this category (all of which I’ll write about separately). Abortion. Capital Punishment. War.

What puzzles me is why Democrats can claim concern for life by citing the war and the tragedy of lost lives. And democrats talk about capital punishment and the inhumanity of it, especially in a western society. But they don’t address abortion. They ambiguously brush against it in conversation, very careful to avoid that road. How could you not? I’ll be the first to agree that it is far from a simple problem with a simple solution. It’s not just overturning Roe V Wade. It’s a huge toxic problem in our culture. But discussion does need to take place, and the problem DOES need to be addressed.

The same applies to the GOP. They will debate to no end, the issue of abortion. But why not talk about capital punishment? An eye for an eye? Come on… This doesn’t even begin so solve or rectify any problem related to serious and violent crimes. More on that later…

The same goes for war. ‘Though shalt not murder’. Doesn’t this mean killing in any form? Or are there ‘loop holes’? There appear to be in the minds of many Americans.

I guess my point is – if we’re going to talk about one area with regards to the value of life, then in order to be valid we should talk about all areas. It seems like the only credible thing to do. We can’t pick and choose. Props to both sides for taking up the issues, but it sure would be nice to all agree, or at least engage in conversation all the issues.