Pacifism
From Conservapedia
Pacifism is the refusal to participate in any violence, even in self-defense. "Conscientious objector" laws usually permit pacifists to avoid a draft (mandatory enlistment) in war. Pacifism is supported by peace churches. At the time of the American Revolution, a substantial percentage of the colonists were Quakers, a pacifist faith.
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Biblical references about Christian nonviolence
The following verses and interpretations are used by some Biblical scholars as evidence for Christian nonviolence.
General
- "Love does no harm to its neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10 NIV)
- "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV)
- "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42 NIV)
- "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 sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48 NIV)
Obedience to state authorities
- A Christian's "struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)
- Jesus, the apostles (Acts 5:17-42) and Daniel (Daniel 6) disobeyed state authorities.
- Christians should obey ALL state authorities (John 19:10-11; Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Titus 3:1-2; 1 Peter 2:13-24) because "it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God." (1 Peter 2:19 NIV); hence, it would be sinful to help one government overthrow another government.
Compatibility with the Old Testament
Numerous views exist about the systematic role of Christ's New Covenant, including Supersessionism, Covenant Theology, Dispensationalism and New Covenant Theology.
- Christ allowed people to have a personal relationship with God through spiritual, not physical, birth (John 3:1-21).
- The veil separating the Holy of Holies was torn during Christ's death and allowed God to dwell inside each person rather than the Temple in Jerusalem (Mark 15:38; Hebrews 9).
- For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:23-25 NIV)
The spiritual emphasis of the New Testament leads some Biblical scholars to support love of the sinner with nonviolent hate of the sin.
Quotations
"War doesn't prove who is right, only who is left." --Bertrand Russell
"Only the dead have seen the end of war." --attributed to Plato
"War! What is it good for? Absolutely nothing." --Edwin Starr, "War" (song)
"War is hell." --General William Tecumseh Sherman
"Fighting for peace is like fornicating for virginity." --unattributed slogan
"In time of war the first casualty is truth." -- Boake Carter
"Non-combatant, n. A dead Quaker." -- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary
"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." --Mahatma Gandhi
