Veterans – NONVIOLENT CHRISTIANS

What Do We Owe Veterans? Or The Last Native American

I met a new friend. His name is Jason. He asked me to call this blog post “The Last Native American.”

Jason asked if he could talk to me. He said he was a veteran who had done terrible things and he needed someone to talk to.

The sun breaking through to try to chase away the remaining low-lying fog. Picture: Copyright © 2019 by Leon Kauffman

Jason’s Story

Jason was a Marine sniper in Afghanistan who worked with two other snipers as a team. They killed many people. Sometimes they would surround a position and kill everyone at that position. He said was he even was required to kill an innocent child.

To fight their guilt the three snipers would tell jokes about their targets and make bets as to who could make the best shots.

Jason wondered if God could forgive him for killing so many people.

Jason is also dealing with an alcohol addiction.

We discussed the parting of the Red Sea and the great miracle God performed to save the Children of Israel. Jason thought if God could perform such a miracle, perhaps Jesus could heal him of the sins he had committed.

What do we owe Veterans like Jason?

We owe veterans the same thing we owe every human being living today. Agape love.

Agape Love

Agape (Ancient Greek agapē) is a Greco-Christian term referring to love. Within Christianity, agape is considered to be the love originating from God or Christ for humankind In the New Testament, it refers to the covenant love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God; the term necessarily extends to the love of one’s fellow man. Wikepedia.

We owe veterans agape love. Many veterans are followers of Jesus, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus commands us to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, if we do not love our brothers and sisters in Christ we are not his followers. Veterans who are not followers of Jesus are potential followers of Jesus and we owe them the same love.

¹⁰This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. 1 John 3:10 NIV

Medical Care

Many veterans have suffered severe injury in the line of duty. Because we have experienced the love of Jesus, we owe these veterans the best possible medical care.

Counseling

Many veterans have developed severe psychological and emotional problems as a result of stress and injury suffered in the line of duty. Because we have experienced the love of Jesus, we owe them the best counselors and support system we can provide.

Addiction Rehabilitation

Many veterans have become addicts. Because we have experienced the love of Jesus, we owe them the best help available to help with their addictions to drugs and alcohol. The Salvation Army has one of the most effective programs available for helping people overcome addictions through healing through Jesus Christ. ARC: Adult Rehabilitation Centers gladly open their doors to veterans who are addicts.

Truth

Many veterans were recruited in their teens and early 20s. They were told they were patriotic and protecting their families if they joined the military. Because we have experienced the love of Jesus, we owe the truth to young people who are considering joining the military. Laurence M. Vance gives many reasons why young people should not join the military. See “Should Anyone Join the Military?” ¹^. Link at bottom of post.

Foreign Policy

We owe to veterans a foreign policy that makes a much greater effort to use non-violent methods to settle difference between countries. According to Rod Sider there is always a way third way. Columbia University Press studied 100 violent and non-violent uprisings. Non-violent campaigns are twice as likely to succeed. There is always an option to find non-violent ways to intervene in situations. Police work could be made less violent with proper training. We can also make greater use of weapons such as stun guns. Non-violent negotiation between countries who disagree is a many times cheaper than war. ^2. Link at bottom of post.

We owe veterans an end to unjust foreign policy. Giant defense contractors and oil companies have great influence in congress.

USA Today says: Maryland-based Lockheed Martin, the largest defense contractor in the world, is estimated to have had $44.9 billion in arms sales in 2017 through deals with governments all over the world. The company drew public scrutiny after a bomb it sold to Saudi Arabia was dropped on a school bus in Yemen, killing 40 boys and 11 adults. Lockheed’s revenue from the U.S. government alone is well more than the total annual budgets of the IRS and the Environmental Protection Agency, combined.³^. Link at bottom of post.

War Is A Racket. WAR is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives. The Antiwar Classic by America’s Most Decorated Soldier.⁴ Link at bottom of post.

War in the Middle East: In “America’s War for the Greater Middle East,” by Retired Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich, Colonel Bacevich tells us that the Greater War in the Middle East is about oil.⁵^. Colonel Bacevich also discusses how our military action in the Middle East is creating new terrorists faster than we can kill them. These “terrorists” are protecting their families from us.

Do we really want our young people joining the military and killing innocent children so that we can have cheap oil, drive big pickups, and buy stock in profitable oil companies?

We also owe the veterans of our enemies a great debt of Agape Love.

Why I can’t Thank Veterans.

Reasons why other Christians participate in violence: Reasons Christians Give to Say Violence by Christians is Legitimate

Notes:

^1.Should Anyone Join the Military? By Laurence M. Vance

²^. Doug Stuart interviews Ron Sider, Ep 145: Loving Enemies in an Age of Violence, with Ron Sider

³^{. “}Military spending: 20 companies profiting the most from war” by Samuel Stebbins and Evan Comen, USA Today, 2019

⁴^.War is a Racket, by General Smedley D. Butler. Also see A Biography of General Smedley.

⁵^.“America’s War for the Greater Middle East, A Military History,” Random House, April 5, 2016. By Retired Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich. Book Review: “America’s War for the Greater Middle East.”

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Reasons Christians Give to Say Violence by Christians is Legitimate

By Jon Kauffman

I have been asking Christians why they feel it’s acceptable for Christians to use violence for 40 years. Listed below are reasons I have been hearing. I have provided a link to my response. I am planning to post responses to more of the reasons.

I think the best argument I have heard is “Protecting your family when violent people come.” (See reason 1 below.) But even in this case an alternative to the Christian using violence almost always occurs.

Notice however, that when we start looking for reasons to defend a pacifist position using the teachings of Jesus or the examples of Jesus, Paul, Peter & James, we can easily find one argument after another. For example, in Matthew 5: 8-13, Jesus shows us how to treat an enemy by healing the centurions servant. (See reason 13 below)

Arguments people have given me to suggest that it is acceptable for Christians to us violence:

Protecting your family when violent people come.
See my response:

Agent X, Blogger, “Intruder”.

How Jesus Fights Wars
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Protecting your country when violent armies come.
See my response:

The Flag and Daniel.

What About Hitler?
.
Protecting religious freedom.
See my response:

Should a Christian Fight for Freedom?

How Jesus Fights Wars.
.
Protecting vulnerable neighbors when violent people come.
See my response:

SERMON OF SUBVERSION: SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Violence and Responses.
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They feel like they are doing the right thing.
See my response:

Hiroshima and Mass Murder?
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Some say we have the right to self-defense. Keith Giles wrote a Christian Bill of Rights. See it here: “Christian Bill of Rights.” Pastor Giles did not include self-defense and I agree.
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Soldiers have good medical benefits. Should a Christian put medical benefits as a higher priority than following the teachings of Jesus?
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Soldiers have good educational opportunities. Should a Christian put education as a higher priority than following the teachings of Jesus?
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The military teaches discipline. It takes great discipline to follow the teachings of Jesus. Which is a higher priority?
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Veterans are recognized as heroes.
See my response:

Why I Can’t Thank Veterans.

What Do We Owe Veterans? Or The Last Native American
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Theologians such as St. Augustine and Martin Luther have justified Christian use of violence. The issue is settled and we don’t need to talk about it anymore. See my response:

St Augustine’s Mistake.

Greatest Heresy of All Time? Just War Doctrine?

Does Just War Exist?

The Authority We Follow
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Paul used the Armor of God (Military references) as a metaphor for Christian spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:11-17. Because Paul referenced military equipment, that means he approved of Christians participating in military violence.
See my response:

The Armor of God, Ephesians 6:11-17
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Jesus healed the Centurion’s servant and did not ask him to leave the military. Matthew 8:5-13.
See my response:

Jesus and the Roman Centurion, Matthew 8:5-13

OUR FRIEND TALKS PACIFISM
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Romans 13 teaches that Christians are to be subject to the state.
See my response:

Does Romans 13 Justify Christian Participation in Violence?

Can Christians Join the US Military?

Submission to Governing Authorities: A Study of Romans 13:1-7 by Matthew G. Neufeld

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John the Baptist gave the soldiers advice and did not ask them to leave the military.
See my response:

Does John the Baptist Say Christians may Use Violence?
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Christian’s must use violence to protect their constituents when they become involved in politics.
See my response:

Jesus’ Kingdom, The Kingdom of God

Why I Won’t be Voting in 2020.
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Christ himself said, If a man does not own a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36. I follow Micheal Snow’s blog. Michael has written an excellent response to this argument.

Two Swords: Enough. By Michael Snow.

“No More of This!” (Why Jesus Armed and disarmed Peter) by Brian Zahnd.
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The sixth commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” should read, “Thou shalt not murder”. If you are killing at the request of the state, it is not murder.
See my response:

Hiroshima and Mass Murder

Who is God? Thou Shalt Not Kill
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God commanded Israel to war against the inhabitants of the Promised Land. See my response:

Seven Reasons the Old Testament Cannot be used to Justify Christian Violence

Does 2 Kings 9 Justify Christian Violence?

Mary, Warrior of God.

Does Isai a h 2:3-4 Teach Christian Non-Violence?

God Is Not Violent: Korah’s Rebellion

Jason Potterfield discusses Violence in the Old Testament:

New Series: Violence In The Old Testament by Jason Potterfield
Violence In The Old Testament. Part 2: The Problem by Jason Potterfield
Violence In The Old Testament Part 3: Filter The Bible Through Jesus by Jason Potterfield
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Most churches and their leaders support the Christian use of violence.
See my response:

St. Augustine’s Mistake
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Pacifism is not safe and secure. Pacifists must depend on non-pacifists to defend them physically.
See my response:

“Neutering Male Courage.”
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1 Peter 2:13-17 justifies Christian military service.
See my response:

Does 1 Peter 2:13-17 Justify Christian Violence?
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2 Timothy 2: 3 & 4 justifies Christian military service.
See my response:

Does 2 Timothy 2:3 & 4 Justify Christian Military Service
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Evidence of Pacifism in Early church is too fragmentary to know what they thought.
See my Response:

Does Isaiah 2:3-4 Teach Christian Non-Violence?

SERMON OF SUBVERSION: SERMON ON THE MOUNT
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“Pacifism is a satanic belief system designed to hurt innocent people and neuter male courage.”
See my response:

“Neutering Male Courage.”

How Jesus Fights Wars.
.

“But for me,the strongest evidence that Christians can join the military in good conscience is God’s command to protect the innocent.”
See my response:

Brandon Adams, Veteran, Teacher
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If Christians did not fight as soldiers, the whole world would fall apart. Christianity would be destroyed and civilization would end.
.

To prevent future terrorist attacks. Terrorists would destroy our country if Christians did not fight.
See my response:

“Neutering Male Courage.”
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It is foolish for Christians to depend on evil people for protection.
See my response:
.

Jesus is violent in the book of Revelation and uses violence to bring justice. If Jesus is violent we also can be violent.
See my response:

Does Revelation 19 Justify Violence by Christians?

See how Jesus fights: “Holy War.” video by Greg Boyd
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Christians can fight in any war. The war does not need to be just. The only requirement is that the Christian must fight heroically.

Can Christians Join the US Military?
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Ryan Callahan has written one of the best defenses for Christian violence than I have heard or read over the last 40 years of asking. Ryan said, “Good to meet you Jon. I agree that as followers of Jesus we should be men of peace. The Bible is also clear in 1 Corinthians 13:7 that love always protects. Defending your family is not a matter of violence. It is a matter of love.” Closely related is Phil Robinson’s defense of Christian violence.
See my Response:

See the very interesting conversation between Ryan and Agent X.

Ryan Callahan, Author, Blogger and Everyday Minister
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My friend, Mark Netum told me a story that he felt demonstrated the need of Christians to fight.

Mark Nettum, Veteran, Retired. Does Matthew 13:24-29 Teach Nonviolence?
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“I have no problem with people Christian or otherwise for that matter choosing not to defend themselves ( particularly if doing so would involve violence) I do have an issue with people who refuse to defend OTHER people and/or tell people that it is wrong to use their legal right to self defense.” I found this quote on Christian Forums.

See my Response:

Can Christians Join the US Military?

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Philippians 2:25 and 2 Timothy 2:3,4 clearly justify serving as a soldier.
See my response:

Do Philippians 2:25 and 2 Timothy 2:3,4 Justify Violence by Christians?
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In Numbers 32, two tribes of Israel wanted to stay in Gilead and discontinue fighting. Moses spoke severely to them therefor we also should fight in war.
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One friend said, “Jesus often saves people in the military so it must be alright to work in the military.” Jesus saves people who once were prostitutes and thieves. That does not indicate that is acceptable for people to remain prostitutes and thieves.
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What arguments for violence have I missed? Please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking.

A Few New Testament References That Support A Nonviolent Position:

What arguments for violence have I missed? Please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is dirk-willem-2.jpg — In the Sixteenth Century at least 1500 Anabaptists were tortured and killed because they insisted on living by the teachings of Jesus. An Anabaptist, Dirk Willem was imprisoned to be killed.

Dirk escaped prison and was fleeing for his life. He crossed a pond covered by a thin layer of ice. His pursuer fell through the ice. Dirk turned back and saved his enemy from drowning. The man he saved, grabbed him and held him for arrest. On May 16, 1569, Dirk Willem was executed by fire.

I absolutely agree with you that war is not compatible with Christian belief. It’s the reason I long ago ceased to call myself a Christian. I believe that there are circumstances in which war is justified and would cite the activity of Adolf Hitler and his followers. Had the rest of the world permitted the Nazi’s to continue with their programme, which included unspeakable violence against large numbers of our fellow humans based on their ethnicity/religious beliefs/failure to meet a supposed ideal of physical and mental perfection, neither you nor I would be alive today. Frank Parker

I find Frank’s honesty refreshing. I remain a Christian and believe it is wrong for Christians to participate in war. Why should we leave the Christian faith if most Christians do not follow that faith?

Many times the use of violence seems logical and right, but Jesus taught non-violence and gave us the example of a life and death of non-violence. Nowhere in the teaching of Jesus is violence taught as an acceptable alternative to non-violence.

Jesus as the Son of God has the right to ask his followers to live lives of non-violence if that is what he wants to do.

40 years and I have not found any reasons that Christians use to justify violence, that I felt is convincing.

When We Disagree.

Contact me: jonkauffman01@gmail.com.

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Edited 10/31/2021.

Edited 4/23/2022.

Why I Can’t Thank Veterans

By Jon Kauffman

I can’t thank veterans for their military service.

Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44,45a, NIV

How do we love our enemies?

How do we love the children, innocent women, and innocent men the US has killed with drones?

How do we love fellow Christians and other refugees whose homes have been destroyed in Iraq, Libya and Syria because of faulty US foreign policy?

30 years ago I was broke, without a job or medical insurance and supporting two children. Many suggested I join the military. I told my wife that I could not in good conscience join the military. She said God would take care of us. God has blessed us greatly.

If I am unwilling to kill to protect our country, why should I expect someone else to do it? If I am unwilling to kill innocent civilians to prevent a future attack that may or may not happen, why should I expect someone else to do it for me. If I am unwilling to kill to protect US oil interests and military weapons maker’s interests, how can I ask or expect someone else to do it? If I say “Thank-you” to a veteran, he may think that I think he was doing the right thing by joining the military.

True patriots question failed US foreign policy. The ends do not justify the means. Wouldn’t it be better to lose our lives, our wealth, our freedom, our country, our homes and our families, but follow the teachings of Jesus?

Christians from the early church often refused to serve in the imperial army of Rome. They felt service in the Roman army conflicted with the teachings of Jesus. St. Marcellus was beheaded for refusing to serve.

One of the biggest mistakes of the church was to accept “Just War” theology. Each side feels their side is right and commit atrocities against the other. Then they each feel more justified. Catholics and Protestants fought each other for hundreds of years in Ireland. The Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France fought the 100 years war. The US has been at war in the Middle East for nearly 40 years. Everyone claims their war is just. How can it be?

Book Review: “America’s War for the Greater Middle East.” by Retired Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich

Reasons why other Christians participate in violence: Reasons Christians Give to Say Violence by Christians is Legitimate

All My Posts (Links)

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