In Reply to: Re: A clever political message? posted by Mr. Don on July 06, 2004 at 06:01:39:
Mr Don:
I commend you. Good message; my feelings exactly.
The controversy here reminds me of Mark Twain's "War Prayer", which satirized a little too much patriotism by the US in their attack on the Phillipines (see http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/making/warprayer.html).
We should be careful what we pray for, and wish for!
Don't get me wrong--I'm a patriot, but not a nationalist.
And I'd kill in a heartbeat to protect wife and family, and have studied martial arts, and pistol and rifle markmanship to that end and am quite proficient, should the need arise. I've never killed, but have mangled to disarm, to avoid killing.
When attacked, I believe in Romans 13 godly resistance, and self-defense and defense of family. I believe that for a man to be otherwise is a matter of moral and physical cowardice. I pray to not get into those situations. I believe that "he who strikes the first blow has run out of ideas", and that the best defense is "don't be there when attacked".
Regarding war, I am a conscientious objector. I'd die for my country, but cannot kill for it.
I believe that history will unfold as prophesied.
I hate war, and understand that God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked.
It's all a function of sin itself; of the Fall.
God preserved Israel, and David, to bring forth His Messiah.
I pray for the intervention of Him, Who "makes wars cease unto the ends of the earth" (Psalm 32).
"Come quickly, Lord Jesus!".