tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post6336245556033918521..comments2024-03-21T03:45:48.679-05:00Comments on Enter the Rainbow: Gays and Christians in the Military: I'm Asking, Who's Telling?Andy B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05944614269873479581noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-58099770133624811742007-03-19T13:23:00.000-05:002007-03-19T13:23:00.000-05:00I'm still puzzled by the whole War thing-- gay, st...I'm still puzzled by the whole War thing-- gay, straight, or whatever. I agree with Vinny-- Christians shouldn't be hired killers. This war is not just, it's the continuation of a preemptive strike, and you know that. I ajust can't believe the general public is so slow to object-- and being "shocked" by the homophobic opinions of a military leader is really a red herring in this entire mess.Schowiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12711036050957465037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-80621022199115064582007-03-17T10:50:00.000-05:002007-03-17T10:50:00.000-05:00I think that it is easy to be a pacifist during th...I think that it is easy to be a pacifist during this war ... not so sure that it would be so easy in 1776, 1861, 1917 or on December 7, 1941.kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-79746012094194240852007-03-16T19:39:00.000-05:002007-03-16T19:39:00.000-05:00It is easy to make the claim of pacifism while liv...It is easy to make the claim of pacifism while living in a country that is safe and powerful, where no enemy directly threatens us or our loved ones. <BR/><BR/>I wonder how much of a pacifist any of us would be if the terrorists and thugs in the world were going house to house in our town or neigborhood, killing, plundering and raping. I don't think quoting Hauerwas will do much good. Unfortunatley, there are times when good people have to oppose evil with force. I know I would and I am glad that Andy does not consider me a false believer. <BR/><BR/>As far as gays serving their country in the military, why not?<BR/>They are Americans and if they want to serve, they should.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-40737860405398925072007-03-16T14:22:00.000-05:002007-03-16T14:22:00.000-05:00Andy:Gee whiz! How does one follow John Wesley?Th...Andy:<BR/><BR/>Gee whiz! How does one follow John Wesley?<BR/><BR/>The difficulty I had with Rev. McIlwain's post and subsequent thread are the following:<BR/>1. General Pace at no time stated that he did not want gay people to serve. (I took the time to register and read the cited interview in the Chicago Tribune). David Limbaugh at Townhall.com offers a different perspective regarding the Pace controversy.<BR/>2. I'm troubled that Rev. McIlwain reduces/distorts military service to just killing people. A disturbing premise that perhaps reveals his personal biases regarding the military and those who serve and have served in the past.<BR/>Just my .02cents.<BR/><BR/>Respectfully,<BR/>JosephAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-27119812534837121582007-03-16T13:49:00.000-05:002007-03-16T13:49:00.000-05:00I should not dare to interrupt your more weighty a...I should not dare to interrupt your more weighty affairs with a letter of mine, did I not hold you to be a disciple of Him who would not have the smoking flax quenched nor the bruised reed broken. But since I am entirely convinced of this, I beg of you that in your prayers and the prayers of the Church that sojourns with you, I may be commended to God, to be instructed in true poverty of spirit, in gentleness, in faith, and love of God and my neighbor. And, whenever you have a little leisure, do not disdain to offer to God this short prayer, which I have heard frequently offered by your brethren at Savannah (would they were mine also!):<BR/><BR/>Then the dauntless mind<BR/>Which, to Jesus joined,<BR/>Neither life nor treasure prizes,<BR/>And all fleshly lusts despises,<BR/>Grant him, Highest Good,<BR/>Through Thy precious blood.<BR/><BR/>God's most humble servant, I remain,<BR/>John WesleyJohn Wesleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14418135634194754417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-19700384762507709682007-03-16T12:08:00.000-05:002007-03-16T12:08:00.000-05:00Until 2000, The UMC Social Principles stated that ...Until 2000, The UMC Social Principles stated that war was to be rejected as "incompatible with the gospel and spirit of Christ." That language was softened up to say that war was "incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ." <BR/><BR/>Then in 2000 and 2004 General Conference added a bunch of "just war" hokum as a sop to the Confessing Movement, and acknowledged the ability for Christians to differ on whether the use of force was ever necessary. Apparently, under the Social Principles, Christians can't differ when it comes to homosexuality.<BR/><BR/>What a load of crap. Christians shouldn't be hired killers. Ugh.<BR/>Makes me want to sing a bar of "Alice's Restaurant Massacre."Vinnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18264970768938109717noreply@blogger.com