We all receive them….whether it is from friends or family. I’m talking about the chain letter emails that talk about how the big bad Islamic folks are out to kill us all and we need to elect those who will protect us from their evil threats.
During the 2008 Presidential election, the Democrats rallied against the war and Republicans, except for one who said these wars will help contribute to bankrupting our nation, all approved of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. That one individual who everyone knew just wanted to “bring our troops home,” was Ron Paul (this is the part where neo-conservatives reading this cringe).
As we all know, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost us over $1 Trillion since their beginning and Obama hasn’t ended any of the wars as promised, but escalated them by sending more troops to Afghanistan. Not to mention, of course, the countless innocent victims and the deaths of thousands of our armed forces.
The following is one of those forwarded emails from a friend and my polite discussion with him that follows. I know why he thinks like he does because he has family who has served in the Armed forces. Many of us typically follow the patterns set by our parents, whether we are aware of them or not.
For quick proof of this, I’ll bet most reading this are of the same party, democrat or republican, as their parents were. To this I simply ask why? Do you agree with the basic platform of the party? Is there a real reason why you are one or the other? Or do you hate the other side just because, well, they’re the other side? Are they really the “other side?”
In the weeks and months to come, I want to start challenging democrats and republicans, from a Christian perspective as to why they think the way they do, and in particular, see if this thinking is Biblical in its structure.
Here’s the discussion I had with my friend, starting with the email he sent, and my replies. All of these discussion took place on 4/22/2009.
This was written by a Canadian woman, but oh how it also applies to the U.S., U.K. and Australia
THIS ONE PACKS A FIRM PUNCH
Here is a woman who should run for Prime Minister!
Written by a housewife in New Brunswick, to her local newspaper. This is one ticked off lady.
‘Are we fighting a war on terror or aren’t we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001 and have continually threatened to do so since?
Were people from all over the world, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from the nation’s capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?
Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn’t they?
And I’m supposed to care that a few Taliban were claiming to be tortured by a justice system of the nation they come from and are fighting
against in a brutal insurgencyI’ll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.
I’ll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere belief of which is a crime punishable by beheading in Afghanistan.
I’ll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg’s head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.
I’ll care when the cowardly so-called ‘insurgents’ in Afghanistan come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by
hiding in mosques.I’ll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.
I’ll care when the Canadian media stops pretending that their freedom of speech on stories is more important than the lives of the soldiers on the ground or their families waiting at home to hear about them when something happens.
In the meantime, when I hear a story about a CANADIAN soldier roughing up an Insurgent terrorist to obtain information, know this:
I don’t care.
When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank:
I don’t care.
When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and ‘fed special’ food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being ‘mishandled,’ you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts:
I don’t care.
And oh, by the way, I’ve noticed that sometimes it’s spelled ‘Koran’ and other times ‘Quran.’ Well, Jimmy Crack Corn you guessed it,
I don’t care!!
If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail friends Sooner or later, it’ll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behaviour!
If you don’t agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don’t complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:
‘Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Soldiers don’t have that problem.’
I have another quote that I would like to add, AND…….I hope you forward all this.
One last thought for the day:
Only five defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The Canadian Soldier.
3. The British Soldier.
4. The US Soldier, and
5. The Australian Soldier
One died for your soul, the other 4 for your freedom.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON, AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET ALL OF THEM.
AMEN!
My friends comment to this email was: “I agree with her sentiments completely!!”
My reply:
Hey Mike….(if I may respond my friend….)
Did you know that Osama bin Laden is not being sought after by the FBI for 9/11?
Personally, as a Christian, I don’t like the attempt by the author of this piece associating Jesus Christ with “soldiers.” Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament, never utilized wars to justify his message. He was the “Prince of Peace!”
The reason I reply to these kinds of email is because I’m writing about it in my book…, exposing how Republicans used to be against war, but this new “neoconservative” Republican party is pro-war. It was their downfall in the 2006 mid-term elections and is their downfall today with Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz (who calls him self a libertarian, but isn’t), Michael Medved, Michelle Malkin, Rush Limbaugh, Mark Levine and even Ba Ba O’Reilly spreading their propaganda in support of war to this day.
Most Republicans have not researched the Bible, let alone just war theory. And believe it or not, this war was never “declared” as our Constitution mandates. Neither was the Vietnam war or the Korean war (both started by Democrats) and we both know how those ended up with over 50k U.S. soldiers killed.
The goal of that section of my book is “To Love Thy Neighbor!”
IMO, it is the Left and the Right that are bankrupting our Country. I’ve been saying this for some time as you know mi Amigo….
Peace!
Doug
P.S. Always open to your thoughts. I debated Republicans (I’m not a democrat by the way) on this all last year leading up to the election of Obama. Now all of a sudden, free markets are important again to them, but they still don’t get the pro-war issue. I’m more of an old school Republican, not this new version. I won the debates and recommended people read the book, “The Betrayal of the American Right” by Murray Rothbard, which showed that this “new” Republican party’s roots can be traced back to Irving Kristol and company, father of Bill Kristol, a guy who really, really likes war.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyDx1WJiSRw
His Reply;
Doug, good thoughts and I agree with the bulk of what you say … certainly the sentiments. I do agree however that we can’t fight the irrational global terrorism machine without firm tactics. The key question is what to use and how far to go. The answer is not backing off all together! Independent of if this is a “War” or not, we have a solid responsibility to protect American lives both here and abroad, especially from those who have openly declared War on us and who’s sole purpose is to kill Americans! Any other theoretical argument is secondary to stepping up to this severe threat across many fronts. The Bible does say “eye for an eye” (among many other passages that related to confronting evil )… does it not?!
My Reply:
Hi Mike…appreciate the feedback and conversation! It’s not easy to talk about some of these emotionally charged issues….
Yes, the Bible does speak about an “eye for an eye.” However, I’ll quote how that Bible Verse should be interpreted; “It was saying that the penalty imposed on a person should be in line with the damage that they caused. If they killed a cow, they were to repay the value of the cow. If they burned a field, they were to repay the value of any crops of future production lost from the land. If they damaged a person’s tooth, they were to pay the cost of any medical bills, etc. connected with the injury. If they damaged an eye, they were to pay medical bills and any loss of income. If they harmed another person, they were to repay that person the value “a cow for a cow, a field or a field, a tooth for a tooth, and an eye for an eye.”
By the time Jesus came along, people had begun to misuse that scripture, and to claim it gave them the right to take revenge on another person. They were twisting the quote (as people often do even today) to mean that “if you damage my tooth, I can damage yours.”
The old testament is full of war. When God’s people were with Him, they won the wars. When they were against him, they lost.
With the introduction of the New Testament and the teachings of Jesus Christ, came this verse; “But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
Keep in mind that this is different than if one is attacked where you are allowed to defend yourself.
Luke 22: 35-36: Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered. He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.”
Iraq did not attack us. Afghanistan did house the Taliban who were blamed for the attack (not individually). But congress were derelict in their duty by not “declaring” war per the U.S. Constitution, Article 1 Section 8.
What’s interesting is that most of the hijackers from 9/11 were from Saudi Arabia, a country that houses the most radical terrorist organization on earth, the Wahibbi’s. The Wahibbi’s definition of rape is that 4 males must witness “penetration,” and he women can’t testify. Not 3, not 2, but “4!” They also say that “if you don’t believe what I believe, then I have a right, according to their interpretation of the Qu’ran, to kill you.”
So why didn’t the U.S. go into Saudi Arabia? GW and his father have deep ties with the Saudi Royalty. It wasn’t in their best “interest.” You never hear anything from Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. about Saudi Arabia and the Wahibbi’s. Why is that?
The other ironic thing is we have our troops protecting 130 other countries borders, at the taxpayers expense, but leave our borders unprotected.
Lastly, “worry” is a sin according to the Bible. My goal in the book I’m writing is to stop believing the propaganda that is espoused by the media that plays on ones fears. As a Christian, “don’t worry, be happy” and go about doing His work. The worst that can happen, if you are a believer, is you die and go to heaven. How cool is that?
Personally, I don’t live in fear. I don’t believe a word a politician or media pundit says and I am “Fed Up!” with where they have taken this great nation and I’m trying to “enlighten” those who will listen (there’s much more to it than just this issue).
I’m also having fun with it….and I pin much of what is happening on the Federal Reserve and Congress, because without “golden handcuffs,” they have the ability to print as much money as they want to fund their wars. Take away that ability, and they won’t go “marching off to war” as they’ll have to choose between spending money on unnecessary things like war and rather where it is needed at home on infrastructure and things of that nature.
Hope that clears things up a bit Mike….and I don’t claim to know everything…but I do feel the wool has been pulled over my eyes long enough in countless ways, and I’m exposing it as much as I can. It takes much convincing to reverse the years and years of propaganda touted by media, government and especially our education system (that I was a victim of). I really think you’ll like the book! (not a sales pitch, lol…but I can’t wait to get it out to the public!)….
Peace!…and thanks for the exchange as I’m always open to opinions…..
Doug
My friends reply;
Doug, I really appreciate the range of your ideas! Can’t wait for the book.
End
While neo-conservatives or this “new” republican party may mock Ron Paul and those who are against these unnecessary wars, I challenge them from a Biblical basis for their infatuation with death and destruction. If anyone wants to take the position that an “eye for an eye” is justified Biblically, then let them show what Bible verses from Jesus teachings in the New Testament back up this point of view. I’m all willing to listen to that for which I do not know.
I am still working on the book that I mentioned in that email exchange. I have just completed my first book, “Buy Gold and Silver Safely” that is available soon on Amazon.com or my website; http://buygoldandsilversafely.com
Since that book is finished, I can start concentrating on this political/Christian book and hopefully make a difference in this world.
I’m not sure if I’ll keep the name “Fed Up!” as Texas governor Rick Perry is coming out with a book of the same title later this year. Being that Rick Perry was a big spender governor, it doesn’t make sense that he’s “Fed Up” with big government. Yet he’s writing about the problems of big government despite having “doubled state debt and accepted almost $23 billion in stimulus dollars.”
I do have a second title that I think will work. I’ll keep it a secret for now.
