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November 12, 2009
> 4:21 PM
allegiance I generally don't comment on things like this, not specific events, but something I heard on the news about all this kind of drew it out of me. Apparently, at some point in his work history with the Army, the now notorious Ft. Hood shooter reportedly said that his allegiance was to Islam over the U.S. Constitution. Annnnd this is a problem becaaauuse?? His skewed view of his own religion aside, I would answer - I should hope so! What if the soldier in question was a Christian and said his allegiance was to Christ over the U.S. Constitution? Sounds a little different now, doesn't it? Well, sure he shouldn't have been shooting people on an Army base. Of course I would argue that he shouldn't be shooting at people anywhere, for any reason, if he is a Christian, but I understand the majority opinion - yeah, yeah. The point is, though, that in the "case" that is being built against this man is included that little story - that someone heard him say this phrase, which is supposed to be dangerous - that he is a Muslim before he is an American. That is being held up as "evidence" against him. "See, look at that psycho nut job, he puts his religion over the Constitution!" Again, I say -- I should certainly hope so. So, allegiance IS a serious thing, a serious word/concept. It is. I thought so, I was just checkin' there. Then we either take is too seriously, about the wrong things, or we take it too lightly, and scatter it around too widely. We should all hope that, if we are Christians, we are known for our allegiance being to Jesus Christ above and before ANYthing, much less the U.S. Constitution or any other man-made document. *disclaimer: I want to make sure no one gets full-on in the throw is ignorance and thinks I'm saying what the man did was OK because he's Islamic, or for any reason at all. It wasn't - not for that reason - not for any reason. It was evil, nuts, crazy, etc. I'm just talking about that particular statement made about him, which could be made about anyone of any religion, and has nothing to do with killing people. That is all - the managment. :) Labels: christian life, pacifism 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | November 11, 2009 > 10:52 AM re-post > martin of tours > soldier of Christ I always do this - realize it's the feast of Martin of Tours and also that it's ironically Veteren's Day in the U.S. on the same day. It always makes me want to say something and today is no different. I've decided that I don't want to re-think up thoughts I've already penned, though, so I'm re-posting something I wrote last year on this same day. I re-read it and I think it still speaks very much what is in my heart. No reason to re-invent the pacifist wheel, so to speak. I've written 2 or 3 other specific posts about this subject you may be interested in as well. They are all located on this page if you'd like to take a look. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------  Today is the memorial of St. Martin of Tours. Being a Roman soldier - after his conversion, he became what we now know as a conscientious objector. He refused to fight any longer. The famous quote is..."I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight."Many Christians before and after St. Martin have come to the same conclusion about killing in light of their new Life in Christ. I have myself. Once upon a time I actually joined the U.S. Navy, just before Liz and I were married in 1988. I took the oath, all that. I was scheduled to go to boot camp on delayed entry at the end of that Summer. I never went. Just before I decided to join, I prayed and asked God to give me a quick answer (I know, I know - anyway...) - it was "no." But I shrugged it off and did it anyway. When I took the oath, I felt as squirrely as a, well, as a big red-tailed fox squirrel. It didn't feel right. During the next couple of months, I prayed a lot, studied a good bit, and came to the very firm conclusion that I could not kill anyone for my country, for anyone. That, along with that pesky oath business did me in. I couldn't do it. I called the Senior Chief Petty Officer who recruited me and explained to him my dilemma. He was actually very nice about it, very understanding, questioned me, proposed scenarios to check my resolve and finally told me I would receive paperwork in the mail soon that I needed to sign. It came. I signed it. That was it. And no, I'm not officially a "veteran" since I was only ever technically in the "Innactive Naval Reserve." OK, that's my story. I'm no Martin of Tours. He could have been instantly killed for his decision, which took place in a battlefield setting. The occasion made me think of it, though, so there you go. There is a long tradition of Christian Pacifism which shouldn't be taken lightly. Even those of us who aren't convicted in this way, should be very careful and serious about vowing your oath and allegiance and taking up arms to kill for a cause. Of course, if you ask my advice or opinion, I'd say, steer clear and don't put yourself in that position. Oh, the "ironic" part up there is obviously that it's Veteran's Day in the U.S. today. Interesting overlap. Take a look at the site of Catholic Peace Fellowship for some more info. Here's a helpful PDF file of quotes from Church history, etc. on the subject of conscientious objection. PEACE be with you - seriously - to all of us. St. Martin, pray for us. Labels: pacifism, re-post, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | July 04, 2009 > 9:38 AM inappropriate thoughts Yeah, that got your attention, didn't it? Things are not as you suppose, at least not that I'm talkin' on here about. Anyway, today's inappropriate thoughts are as concerns the 4th of July in the United States. Most would find my thoughts today, at least, inappropriate, if not downright treasonous or even "sinful." Such it will have to be I suppose. Recently, I've been re-reading through Thomas Merton's The New Man, highlighting as I go. I have to be careful not to highlight the whole book. A couple of days ago, perhaps providentially, I read this little passage, which lies in the middle of a discussion of something else which I will also share here. For now, though, just this bit. This is no brand new thought for me - he just says it well, and I thought I'd share it with you today, inappropriate or not. ...while we learn to be humble and virtuous as individuals, we allow ourselves to commit the worst crimes in the name of "society." We are gentle in our private life in order to be murderers as a collective group. For murder, committed by an individual, is a great crime. But when it becomes war or revolution, it is represented as the summit of heroism and virtue. —Thomas Merton, The New ManWait there mister, it's not murder if it's done in a "just war" - many don't even worry whether it's allegedly "just" or not. Anyway, this is the argument. I certainly don't have room in a blog post to fully refute such a thing. I will, though, say this - in the case of a revolution, things do get a bit hairy with any kind of argument to justify Christian participation in the killing of other human beings. Revolution is not done as the action of any State. It is, by definition, not sanctioned or official as "war." It is disobedient, rebellious treason. It is often accompanied by what we now define as terrorism. Most revolutionaries do not wear uniforms. They have no President, no government. They may well be organized, but officially speaking, they are merely a gang of disgruntled citizens picking up what they can to throw at, to shoot at whom they can, to get the change they want. Now, whether or not this is ever a justifiable act is another story. And I said "justifiable act," not a justifiable act for a Christian person to be involved in - this TOO is another story. Irony alert: I cry when I watch Band of Brothers or that last scene in Saving Private Ryan - can't help it. I want to stand up and salute that grave with him, tears streaming down my face. When I watch Michael Collins or The Wind That Shakes the Barley, my blood boils and the IRA makes a whole hell of a lot of sense to me. There is a worldly nobility to these kinds of actions. I can deeply understand some of the whys. Of course, I'm not sure not wanting to pay extra taxes and being in control of your own economy is on a par with having your language and religion suppressed along with the constant violence which accompanied the enforcement of such laws - not quite. Anyway, I just wanted to say I have emotional understanding of such things. But... But what? Just pick up a freakin' musket and get on the line, citizen! We might burn down your shop if you don't - might, just get out there! Hey, my ancestors fought in that mess, volunteered for it, and King George had given them hundreds of acres of land. I'm off track - but what? But JESUS, that's what. But as a Christian, I don't need to be putting myself in the middle of a worldly battle that has me taking aim at, stabbing or blowing up my fellow human beings, perhaps even my siblings in Christ, even if it makes some kind of sense to do so. Some things trump others - and my identity in Christ is the BIG trump card - even if I'm not fully formed in it - all the more reason why I shouldn't jump into something broken like a war or a revolution. I'm helping to perpetuate the brokenness of the world if I do this. I suggest we all sit out - all those who belong to Jesus sit out the wars and revolutions and anything else that has us killing one another. We sit out on abortion, most of us. That's seen as a broken necessity by many. Why not war and killing grown people? We sit out on divor... wait, sorry, I thought I had one there. We simply too often take the pragmatic road, we Christians. Going against the grain is too hard. We'll even come up with complicated theologies that help us not go against the grain. It's hard for me to understand how this is not seen. One can just keep talking, I suppose. And when it comes to any future bloody revolutions, and there will be, don't be naive, I'll be sitting those out and encouraging my siblings to do the same. Pax vobiscum. Labels: christian life, pacifism, war and peace 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | June 30, 2009 > 1:28 PM the right to bear arms in church Hmm - nothin' like a little controversy... As to whether one should be able to or should carry a concealed weapon in a church assembly - I think I have the answer - well, not me, but here you go... "Immediately he went over to Jesus and said, 'Hail Rabbi!" and he kissed him. Jesus answered him, 'Friend, do what you have come for.' Then stepping forward they laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. And behold, one of those who accompanied Jesus put his hand to his sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (...Then he touched the servant's ear and healed him. —Luke 22:51) Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels?" —Matthew 26:49-53A new order was being ushered in. It's time to put the swords away, or the Glocks as the case may be. To have a constant attitude of carrying these weapons to use against other men is, as I see it, moving against the tide of the New Order in Christ. And He healed the man - even further into the new Way - not only not enacting vengeance on the perceived enemy, but showing Love. Love is, after all, ultimately the only tool able to make a sword into a plowshare. Labels: christian life, pacifism 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | November 11, 2008 > 2:45 PM ironic > st. martin of tours Today is the memorial of St. Martin of Tours. Being a Roman soldier - after his conversion, he became what we now know as a conscientious objector. He refused to fight any longer. The famous quote is..."I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight."Many Christians before and after St. Martin have come to the same conclusion about killing in light of their new Life in Christ. I have myself. Once upon a time I actually joined the U.S. Navy, just before Liz and I were married in 1988. I took the oath, all that. I was scheduled to go to boot camp on delayed entry at the end of that Summer. I never went. Just before I decided to join, I prayed and asked God to give me a quick answer (I know, I know - anyway...) - it was "no." But I shrugged it off and did it anyway. When I took the oath, I felt as squirrely as a, well, as a big red-tailed fox squirrel. It didn't feel right. During the next couple of months, I prayed a lot, studied a good bit, and came to the very firm conclusion that I could not kill anyone for my country, for anyone. That, along with that pesky oath business did me in. I couldn't do it. I called the Senior Chief Petty Officer who recruited me and explained to him my dilemma. He was actually very nice about it, very understanding, questioned me, proposed scenarios to check my resolve and finally told me I would receive paperwork in the mail soon that I needed to sign. It came. I signed it. That was it. And no, I'm not officially a "veteran" since I was only ever technically in the "Innactive Naval Reserve." OK, that's my story. I'm no Martin of Tours. He could have been instantly killed for his decision, which took place in a battlefield setting. The occasion made me think of it, though, so there you go. There is a long tradition of Christian Pacifism which shouldn't be taken lightly. Even those of us who aren't convicted in this way, should be very careful and serious about vowing your oath and allegiance and taking up arms to kill for a cause. Of course, if you ask my advice or opinion, I'd say, steer clear and don't put yourself in that position. Oh, the "ironic" part up there is obviously that it's Veteran's Day in the U.S. today. Interesting overlap. Take a look at the site of Catholic Peace Fellowship for some more info. Here's a helpful PDF file of quotes from Church history, etc. on the subject of conscientious objection. PEACE be with you - seriously - to all of us. St. Martin, pray for us. Labels: church, pacifism, saints 0 comments
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permalink | e-mail me | October 23, 2008 > 1:40 PM GOD on our side Just a little something to make you think. I was listening to this today and thought I'd share. It's an old song by an old musical genius, but is definitely not bound to a time period. God on Our Side Labels: music, pacifism, politics 0 comments
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