Study War No More

[Be] of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Bible :Romans 12:16 -12:19

The overwhelming evidence suggests that the followers of Jesus were pacifists for the first three centuries . Many early church leaders and documents underscore the unwavering commitment to non-violence. ...p.168 When religion becomes Evil Charles Kimball 2002

Christianity and war were incompatible. Christians were charged with undermining the Roman Empire by refusing military service & public office: they answered that human life was sacred to them, that they were...given over to peace, that God prohibits killing even in a just cause, without exception, that the weapons of the Christian were prayer, justice, and suffering ..."

John ferguson War & Peace in the Worlld Religions 1978

And as " Historian Roland Bainton summarized Augustine's views in this way :

The War must be just in its intent-which is to restore peace...Those wars may be defined as just which avenge injuries...The war must be just in its disposition,which is Christian love...Love does not preclude a benevolent severity ,nor that correction which compassion itself dictates...(war) is to be waged only under the authority of the ruler...The conduct of the war must be just...Faith must be kept with the enemy . There should be no wanton violence, profanation of temples,looting, massacres,or conflagration. Vengeance,atrocities,and reprisals were excluded,though ambush was allowed .

Above From Roland Bainton , Christian Attitudes Toward War & Peace 1960

Everywhere by overwhelming majorities Christian people have pronounced in word and act the same decision, viz. that to fight, to shed blood, to kill—provided it be done in the defence of one’s country or of the weak, for the sanctity of treaties or for the maintenance of international righteousness—is at once the Christian’s duty and his privilege. But only by an act of self-deception could anyone persuade himself that this is the last word the Christian conscience has to say on the matter. The power with which the decision of the majority has been—and is still being—delivered owes a large share of its greatness (I say it in no uncharitable spirit) to other factors than the calm, impartial, and considered judgment of the Christian intellect and heart. In the tense excitement and ever-increasing flood of passion called forth by a state of war, an atmosphere is generated in which the truth and reasonableness of the vox populi is not only taken for granted, but elevated into a sort of sacrosanctity, and dissent from it or disobedience to it appears to merit not toleration or even argument, but contempt, censure, and punishment.

John Cecil Cadoux, The Early Christian Attitude to War ,1919

And here's a gospel tune from The Great Mahalia Jackson - "Study War No More" - These days under the Bush Neocon Reconstructionist Regime they would consider Mahilia Jackson as anti-American & as a heretic worthy of prison or worse maybe a little stoning or whatever - This is how far from Jesus' message of love & compassion that many Christians have now come since their Christ is a warrior who would slay & exterminate all those unbelievers including men , women & children just like they did in the Good old Days of the Crusades or as the Jews did in the days of the old testament and so it goes ...



Take care,
GORD.