As a follower of Jesus Christ there are a few things which I have pondered over the years. Jesus never attacked anyone. He taught us to turn the other cheek. It is ironic that we have used Christianity to fight wars ever since.
For instance, go back to the Crusades… a series of military conflicts waged by Christians from 1095 to 1291, usually sanctioned by the Pope. Its goal was to recapture Jerusalem and the Holy Land from the Muslim rule.
In affect this is going on today between radical Muslims and Christians. We are fighting a war in Iraq which has turned into a melting pot for terrorists to use as a breeding ground, if you will.
The problem is the Muslim faith does not believe in violence. Christians do not believe in violence. How is it that both religions find their way to fight wars?
Jesus once said, “You think I have come to make peace but I came to drive a sword between brothers.” It seems that this is what has happened.
Many people do not know that Judaism and Muslims all began as worshipers of the Same God. It was during the time of Abraham where the split occurred.
What is even more interesting is the fact that the Catholic Church soon found people who broke away to form their own form of Christianity. Ireland is the land of my forefathers. Wars in Ireland have pitted Catholics against Protestants.
As for myself… I was raise in a church that did not condone war but they did not condemn it either. They were guilty of one thing. If you did not believe in Jesus and if you did not believe in Jesus as the church believed you were going to Hell.
I always felt that was a form of hatred. I will not judge another man. That is Gods job. I can only say that for all the talk about agape love and Christian brotherhood, we all tend to be a little too judgmental.
When they had their witch burnings in Salem this was not Gods work. The world will go its own way and I perceive this causes much grief for our Heavenly Father. He wanted us to learn to love one another. Do good to those who despitefully use you. Turn the other cheek.
More importantly be not of this world but be of the Kingdom of God. You do not need to fight a war. You need to believe in every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
