This week, as we celebrate the 4th of July, we will be celebrating the democratic values and humanitarian ideals upon which our nation was founded. In my view, it is these values and ideals, not militant nationalism or aggressive empire-building, that ground the true patriotism of the diverse peoples who together make America a great nation.It is therefore not unpatriotic to oppose the war in Iraq. Like many of you, I oppose this war and firmly believe the best way to support our troops is to bring them home soon.
If you agree with me, please sign a statement calling for the end of the Iraq War and for creative solutions to achieve peace in the Middle East.
By joining our voices with our ecumenical and interfaith partners, we strengthen the faith-based movement in opposition to the war. By speaking out as Disciples, we build momentum for opposition to the war as we head into General Assembly in Fort Worth. And by speaking out this week, we proclaim that we oppose this war not only as Christians, but also as patriots.
So please join me and other Disciples in making this important proclamation by signing the statement today.
CLICK HERE to read and sign the statement.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the statement.
Please forward this email to others. And please send signed hard copies to DJAN East Coast Office, 1040 Harbor Drive, Annapolis, MD 21403.
Thank you!
Wm. Chris Hobgood
President, Disciples Center for Public Witness
4 comments:
Chris,
On what grounds do you think it is not Christian to stand up for Christianity?
Oh what grounds do you think we should not defend Israel, God's chosen people from attacks from radical Islam?
Are you a man of God? Did David not receive instruction from God to destroy the opposition to His Holy Word and precepts, by attacking, yes, attacking, His enemies?
Do not fear, for the battle that is being fought in Iraq is truly from the Lord. Whether we "win or lose" in the world's eyes, it is fought in His Will.
Be a man. Stand up and do what God requires of you. Do not let the foolishness of this world become your wisdom. There are many in this world who teach "tolerance" to a point of extreme evil... leading to homosexuality, false teachings, immorality of all sorts, and lastly, forgetting the true Gospel of Christ, which denotes the only way to salvation, though Him.
Islam is a doctrine of death. There is no way to deal with it in a peaceful manner. Re-read what Saul did, against the Lord's will, in not destroying the enemy of Israel in totality. Do not be afraid to wage war where it is required.
America is losing its morality, not because of the war in Iraq, but in spite of it. Use your energy to end abortion, homosexuality, teenage pregnancy, adultery, pornography, and immorality in this country... not to waste your efforts thwarting God's will in the rest of the world.
Do not be afraid to wage war against the devil himself.
May God bless you. I know you wish to do His will... may He show you what that is.
Chris,
Is is nice to want peace and have no deaths in a time of war against those who would have us dead or subject us to their Anti- Christian rule and control. It is nice to have the soldiers return home. But, if the soldeiers come home, we can expect the enemy to come here and deal with us severely (kill us). The enemy considers us infidels and not worth liivng! And we deserve the death they are happy to give us.
That sort of evil thinking is beyond our mindset, in that we live in a nation (USA) where we enjoy peace and the freedom of practiicng our Christian faith without fear of getting bombed or beheaded.
Our heathen and pagan enemies have been getitng bolder in their attacks against the US. it has been goiong ob for decades. But in 2001, our enemies woke us up and we stopped being passive toward their attacks. Since then, we have not been attacked on our soil.
The Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you.
This writer is unnamed due to the fact that the writer expects reprisals if his identity is made known.
As a Disciple of Christ I resent the use of the name of my faith used to represent a political view I may not support.
It is in areas such as these that I strongly support the separation of the church from the state. Please remember that our faith is in fact the inclusion of many races and beliefs.
Chris,
As a desciple, I want to follow God, not man. The "separation of church and state" is not a godly principle (before Saul, the church WAS the state... it was against God to have a king in the first place). It is not a constitutional principle, either. It was merely mentioned in a letter from one statesman to another, and has been used by atheists and the ungodly incorrectly, ever since.
We need to stand up and speak the truth wherever God gives us an audience, whether to an individual woman at the well or a crowd at Mars Hill, and especially before the rulers of this earth.
Hmmm... is religion supposed to be mixed with politics? Well, let's see... how many of God's spokesmen were commanded to speak to (or even become) the political powers of their day to effect change?
Moses, Abraham, Jonah, Samuel, Daniel, Joseph, David, to name a few off the top of my head... even Jesus and Paul spoke very boldly to rulers, too!
If we do not act to change our country and our world, we deserve the country and the world we get.
For your desire to speak to matters of the state from a Christian perspective, I applaud you, Chris. For your inability to see that we should war against evil, I shake my head in disbelief, and pray for your ability to see God's will more clearly. War is a necessity, sometimes. God commanded it several times.
With this war, more than any in America's history... the lines are clearly spiritual, and we are still, thank God, on the right side.
As for the "inclusion of many races and beliefs". Don't confuse race with belief. Yes, God sent His Son for all mankind... every race. Remember, however, that His Son also said, "No man comes to the Father but by me"... that's a pretty clear message that we should not "include" any belief that does not name Jesus as His Son, and the only Way to the Father.
Post a Comment