I completely agree that we’re to deal with our enemies with love, not anger, and certainly not vengeance. But this is completely counter-intuitive to the way of man, which is also why it’s so difficult to do. But think of the witness when and if we can do it!

Violent responses invite violent counter responses, and round and round we go. The human way really hasn’t worked, all you need to do is to look at our long, long history of warfare, as well as in our own time at the number of lawsuits, divorces, etc being brought. Conflict is mans way, not the way of Christ. What a statement if we could model Jesus in a conflict, rather than join the hostilities.

I am a member of a Mennonite church, which emphasizes nonviolence. In every other respect, we’re pretty much the same as Baptists or any other Protestant denomination. The idea behind nonviolence is basically the example and teaching that Jesus gave us. How can you read the Gospels and believe that Christians should kill their enemies (when we’re commanded to love)? We’re called to lay down our rights and love generously & freely even when killing would be justified.

Thanks for sharing your perspective on this topic. I especially liked your point on the intolerance of all the -isms. I’m not saying that people aren’t correct when criticizing the shortcomings of the Church, but a fair approach would also criticize many other “institutions” as well. With the Church, we have to understand that it’s made up of people who are imperfect and sinful. We’re aiming for holy living, but we will always fall short. That’s why we must rely on righteousness through Christ and not our own power.
.-= Paul Williams´s last blog ..What Should a Christian Retirement Look Like? =-.

It seems that it’s a feel good/sophisticated sounding claim that lives on in spite of the facts because it’s aimed primarily at supporting a system of non-belief. As human beings, we’ll cling to any doctrine, supposition or cliche that supports our own beliefs and philosophies.

There may be compelling reasons a person chooses not to believe, but this one belongs in the abject fail column. I’d hate to have my eternal destiny riding on an incorrect assumption.

Like you said, unless Communism is a religion, this fable fails automatically. And if religion didn’t exist, it would just be one less institution on which to blame the world’s perils. All I can do is my part to pass on Jesus’ message of redemption to others, so they know the truth.

In the New Testament the prime support is Jesus driving the money changers out of the temple. Not sure how that becomes a justification for war – Jesus didn’t kill anyone. That was a display of righteous anger, how that turns into a war is a mystery.