Hello Chairboy,
Originally posted by Chairboy
I think that's abhorrent, and I bet there are plenty of folks here who quietly agree with you but don't want to say it. There certainly isn't an upwelling of protest against the idea, that's pretty telling about how 'civilized' the christian contingency is.
I haven't really been following this thread for a couple of days, but I was a little bit appalled to read that you think that if the so-called Christian contingent on the board doesn't loudly declaim every wrong, silly, or sinful statement made on the BB that it is tacitly endorsing it. I wouldn't dream of applying the same reasoning to the atheists on the board, especially because I have no idea who the bona fide "members" of each so-called contingent are, and because I don't expect everyone to monitor every thread. Anyway, Chair after several years here of posting on war and related topics, I hope you'd realize that I don't subscribe to genocide or total war theories, nor do I believe that one sin ever justifies another or that the children must pay for the sins of their parents.
As I have posted before, I heartily affirm the rules of land warfare, and subscribe to just war theory. Here is a general 7 point outline I use in teaching Just War Theory which sums up my own belief:
The general rules of a "just war" are:
1. Just cause. All active aggression is condemned; only a defensive war is legitimate. However, if it is obvious that the other side is clearly preparing for aggression based on solid evidence and past performance a justifiable "first strike" would be allowable.
2. Just intention. The only legitimate intention of a just war is to eventually and, as soon as practicable, secure a just peace. Wars of economic gain, religious expansion/control, revenge, or ideology are unacceptable.
3. Last resort. War can only be begun when all good faith discussions, compromises and negotiations have failed. Again this is hard to gauge if one side is not honestly participating in the effort.
4. Government involvement and formal declaration. This is the action of government not individuals. Some sort of "state of war" must be clearly declared. In this day of terrorist organizations that are not under a government clouds this; states supporting such terrorist organizations would then be held responsible for terrorist acts.
5. Limited objectives. If the purpose of war is ultimately peace, then total destruction of the nation is not just. Only narrow war-fighting objectives that bring the war to a successful conclusion are legitimate. Blanket bombing, gassing, the destruction of a people's way of life is not warranted.
6. Proportional means. Is tied closed to #5, the type of weaponry and tactics employed should be limited to secure the limited objectives (repelling the aggressor, deterring future illegal attacks, removing specific aggressive individuals/groups from power).
7. Protection for non-combatants. Since war fighting is a declared, official act of organized government, only those who are active agents of that government (its fighting soldiers--not POWs, casualties, civilian non-participants) may fight. Others should be protected from aggressive acts of violence.
(These general "just war" guidelines were taken from an article by Arthur F. Holmes, "The Just War," 1981.).
More Specifically, you can find sermons preached on the subject of War at our church at this link:
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?keyword=providencepca&keyworddesc=&currSection=sermonssource&AudioOnly=true&sourceOnly=true&subsetcat=topics&subsetitem=bearing+the+swordI think you'll find that at no point have I ever endorsed a "kill 'em all" doctrine of war, so I'd appreciate it if we limited the broad brush strokes approach.