Comments on: The Marines, Code Pink, and Mercy

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 18:40:00 +0000

HOTP, this is simply a modern-day parable that illustrates how God deals with us by using characters that, because of our familiarity with the current situation, help us feel the force of the enmity and merciful response in our gut. It's not meant to be “military worship” any more than the parable of the Good Samaritan was intended to cause us to honor Samaritans.

By: HandOnThePlow

HandOnThePlow — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:33:00 +0000

Pardon me for being so brazen as a newcomer. But if I may speak..
I would caution against the culture of “military worship” that is so prevalent in our society. The military is a servant of the state, whose interests are money and power. Governments take advantage of feelings of patriotism to send young men to their slaughter.
If I want to get inspired about sacrifice and bravery, I read about missionaries, who serve the Lord.
These Code Pink ladies are rather silly, but it is clear that a coherent, Christ-reflecting anti-war movement, with teeth, is needed in this nation. Too often Christians are siding with the government's war policies, not against them. One of the saddest things in our country is the lack of a strong Christian voice for reflecting the values of Christ when it comes for deciding upon war: love for our enemies (Luke 6:35), not calling down fire from the sky on our foes even though we have the power (Luke 9:52), turn the other cheek, etc.
I don't mean to imply simple pacifism. But the Christian community needs more critical thought when it comes to facing the government's plans for war.

By: Aaron Snell

Aaron Snell — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:31:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing that, Amy. Personal failings shared in vulnerability and humility both convict me of my own similar failings and actually encourage me in Christlikeness. So thanks for the encouragement – I needed to hear that.

By: mbredmond

mbredmond — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:39:00 +0000

This is one of the best pieces I have read on the internet in a long time. Thanks.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:18:00 +0000

As a former Marine, I can speak to this issue. I was in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era. I can say that I have seen my share of protests. However, I want to say that many of the men and women in uniorm, both then, and today, are willing to die to protect the right of people, just like these, to demonstrate peacefully in oppsition to any viewpoint.
This country was founded on diversity, as well as the freedom to speak for or against any issue they like. I feel confident that my fellows here came to the aid of that woman, or for that matter, anyone else who needed assistance during this moment. I would have!
Some of Jesus' last words from the cross were ” Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”.
He also said “Love your enemies, do good to those who are persecuting you”. John also said, ” Hereby do we know that we love Him, if we keep His commandments”. It humbles me to think of these things.