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CHRISTIANS WANT TO RUMBLE
By Thom Rutledge,
I'm
confused. Something seems exactly backwards to me. Maybe you can help. Let me
tell you what confuses me.
So many Christians, including George W. Bush, seem very eager to go to war. In response to some of the articles I have written and speeches I have given recently, I have been called "chicken-sh--," "spineless peacenik," "commie," and "one of Saddam's army," among other things. I have made it a point to discover whenever possible the religious affiliation professed by the authors of these insults. Guess what? They all say they are Christian.
That's what seems backwards to me. Doesn't it make more sense that people like me --- who admit to having no idea what happens when we die --- would be more inclined to support a pre-emptive attack on a nation that might shorten my life span than people who express complete confidence in a rewarding life after death? But not so. These Christians really want to rumble. I even had one woman tell me that I was misreading the scriptures if I thought Jesus was a pacifist. Say what?!
Even the Pope has made clear his view that a preemptive attack on Iraq would be both legally and morally wrong, but George W and so many other Christians are apparently not bothered by this. I wonder if they send the Pope e-mails calling him a "chicken sh--?"
How does this work? How do the followers of Jesus Christ --- Catholic or Protestant --- reconcile their professed religious beliefs with the position that a preemptive attack is justifiable?
I am having a difficult time finding references in the New Testament to Jesus' teaching about justified violence. I assume that President Bush believes that if Jesus were to return today, he would immediately join him in the Oval office to finalize plans for the bombing of Iraq in the event that Saddam Hussein does not stop being deceptive. I assume that President Bush believes that Jesus is losing patience too, and that the two of them would agree that the best way to deal with Saddam Hussein is to launch an unprecedented preemptive attack on his poverty-stricken country.
But let's imagine George W is having second thoughts.
"Jesus," George says, "I am concerned about the collateral damage that will result if we launch a military attack against Iraq. I've read --- well actually somebody told me --- that 50% of the citizens of Iraq are children. If we launch an attack on Baghdad we are going to be killing innocent children."
Jesus has made himself at home, sitting in George's chair, his sandaled feet on the big presidential desk. He looks at George for what seems like a very long time.
"My son," Jesus finally addresses George, "in times like these you have to look at the big picture. I'm not saying it's an easy decision, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made. Take it from me; I know what I am talking about on that score."
"But Jesus," George begins.
Holding his hand up to block what George is about to say. "But nothing," Jesus says. "We have to do what we have to do. And in this case, what we have to do is blast Baghdad to kingdom come."
Isn't it interesting how strongly we cling to our spiritual beliefs until something really important comes along? I believe, I believe, I believe, I really believe --- but if my life or my livelihood is threatened, all bets are off. What would Jesus do? He'd smite the bastards before they smited us, right? Preemptive smiting.
I don't think so. I think Christians may be finding some loop holes here that I am not aware of.
For the sake of American Christians who support a preemptive strike on Iraq, it is a good thing Jesus isn't here. For one thing, I'll bet he would not be an American (blasphemy all by itself), and for another, he would be one obnoxious "peacenik." You know, all that turn the other cheek and put thy sword away stuff. What a wimp.
"Wake up and smell the coffee, Jesus," we might have to say to him. "This is the real world!"
On the off chance that Jesus would return as an American, what if he ran for President in 2004? Who would you editorial-letter-writers vote for? Jesus or Dubya? Tell the truth.
"No offense, Jesus," we might have to say to him, "but we need a leader who is willing to kill people, and you ---- well, you just don't qualify."
Maybe Jesus could become the White House Chaplain and help us pray that WE win and that THEY lose. Naw, he'd never go for that.
Bottom line: this is just not a good time for Jesus to drop in. We're way too busy.
"Come back later, Jesus," we might have to say to him, "after we have made the world safe for peace."
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Thom Rutledge is the author of Embracing Fear & Finding the Courage to Live Your Life (HarperSanFrancisco). Buy it from The Reading Room, and MTA gets a cut!
