Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site whuxl.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!houxm!whuxl!orb From: orb@whuxl.UUCP (SEVENER) Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Christians and Morality Message-ID: <259@whuxl.UUCP> Date: Fri, 28-Sep-84 08:33:34 EDT Article-I.D.: whuxl.259 Posted: Fri Sep 28 08:33:34 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 29-Sep-84 08:43:03 EDT Distribution: net Organization: Bell Labs Lines: 37 What should the Christian position be regarding War? Does Christ teach that one should prepare to obliterate one's enemies and the rest of the world as well if you don't agree with them? I have tried to get a response from the Christians on this newsgroup to the issue of the morality of nuclear war. Hardly anybody responded, except for an inane exchange of arguments about which side is left, right or wrong. (e.g. Left-proFreeze, anti-Life,etc,etc) Yet if Christians wish to make any pretense towards concern with morality, how can they ignore this issue? And how can they ignore the example of Christ himself? Gandhi, the greatest practitioner of nonviolence in this century said he was profoundly influenced by the teachings of Jesus Christ on this issue. Yet there are "Christians" like Carl McIntire who espouse the philosophy of "kill a commie for Christ". There is currently sitting in the highest office in the land a man who wraps himself with claims of being "Christian" even as he presides over the greatest nuclear arms buildup in the world's history. Even as he makes jokes about "bombing the Russians". There are Evangelists going around claiming that the ONLY "right to life" anyone should worry about (especially Christians) is the right of creatures who haven't even been born yet. Are today's Christians going to sit by or even encourage the destruction of our planet? While I have found NO indication anywhere in the Gospels that Jesus ever advocated violence, some of the worst atrocities in human history have occurred in his name. The Crusades were brutal and bloody. The Inquisition resulted in the torture and death of thousands. Will Christians speak up against or will they encourage the nuclear destruction of our planet? Will Christians consider only the rights of those not even born yet to the exclusion of all others right to life? I hope this provokes some discussion--it is time for Christians to follow their principles or admit that they really have no principles worth following. Tim Sevener Bell Labs, Whippany whuxl!orb