Has War Ever Secured the Peace?

[Richard Aberdeen]

I see that you appear to not study the Hebrew Bible very much and believe we can live as we desire without fighting evil. I am a combat veteran and can assure you that no-one hates war more than the average combat veteran. On the other hand, until Yashua returns to rule freedom's cost will always be paid in blood.

Many veterans have marched with me in anti-war demonstrations, because they learned the hard way that war is the greatest of all tragedies and doesn't solve anything.

According to the New Testament, "we wrestle not against flesh and blood. . ."

 

[Rad]

Many conservative Christians claim that it is wrong to allow the government to address the needs of the sick, poor, immigrants and the oppressed. You can read why that is a terrible lie Here. Most of these same conservative Christians blindly support whatever war the United States happens to engage in. And you can read why that is a terrible lie Here.

James 4:1-3: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."

Many historians who should know better claim that the Crusades were caused by religion. But while religion is often used to foment war, it is not the root cause. Rather, wars are about the accumulation and protection of wealth.

During the Crusades, rape and much booty was promised to the victors and very few in history have not been paid in some form for being a soldier. When Hitler took over a nation, the first thing he did was to order his troops to find and secure the gold, art, jewelry and other wealth of that nation. Like I Timothy 6:10 says, "for the love of wealth is the root of all evil."

According to Britannica, World War I resulted in 37 million deaths. This so-called "war to end all wars" was soon followed by an estimated 70 to 85 million deaths in World War II. It can be difficult to comprehend such numbers, considering that the population of New York City is only 9.6 million, while the largest city on earth today numbers less than 40 million. Imagine if the entire population of Shanghai vanished from the earth and, this is less than a third of the combined total deaths for two world wars.

Many in the modern age are quick to philosophize about "just war theory", without considering that total deaths in the two above wars are only part of the devastating results. War results in widows, widowers and orphans; entirely families torn apart. War results in overwhelming psychological and emotional damage to both soldiers and civilians and, especially children. War results in horrendous disease, poverty, famine and starvation. And long-term damage, pain and suffering for both soldiers and civilians often lasts a lifetime. Consider that many veterans today return from war and end up participating in anti-war demonstrations.

And then there is the tremendous financial downside of war. In modern warfare, war profiteers pocket hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars; replenishing modern weaponry is incredibly expensive. The combined cost of the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq totals over five trillion dollars, more than enough to rebuild our decaying infrastructure and end homelessness, while providing universal healthcare for years to come. A truly vexatious result of war is that it wastes valuable resources that can and should be used to help, rather than harm people.

According to The Guardian, after the U.S. failed to replace the police power in Iraq, more people were killed by roving gangs and wanton violence than were killed by both military sides. There is a very good reason why Romans 13, written during the reality of the brutal Roman Empire, warns us not to resist "the authorities" that protect us from lawlessness Romans Chapter 13. When legal constraints are removed, as the United States unwisely did in Iraq, the result is violent anarchy endangering everyone.

The United States population often views itself as being a peaceful nation, but the historical truth is that nearly every generation in our relatively brief history, finds us engaged in another war. Our leaders often claim that whatever current war they are waging is "to secure the peace" and to "prevent" perceived future destruction. But history teaches us that war has never secured any lasting peace or prevented future destruction. Rather, war soon results in more war, often in reaction to grievances caused by previous wars.

Jesus commands us to put our weapons away, which is unarguably the only real solution to war. Jesus warns us twice, both in Matthew 26:52 and Revelation 13:10, that "those who kill with the sword must be killed with the sword." By far the smartest and most influential person in human history promises us the following: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" Matthew 5:9.

Seems to me that there will never be "Peace" in this Evil and Corrupt world, for we are always at "war", either within ourselves, with each other through military means or through Economic and political policies. What we see in this world is a playing out of the "Spiritual war" that constantly rages within all of us. For the Demons of Greed, selfishness, envy, hate and lust infest our souls and corrupt and destroy all we encompass.

When "war" is mentioned most people think of military conflict, but the greatest "war" is being fought on the economic front as a result of our greed and selfishness. Millions die every year because the worlds resources are concentrated in the hands of the few instead of the many and humanity wages a constant "war" against creation itself as we strive to extract the last drop of wealth from the earth, in whatever form that might be, be it oil, Meat, Gold ,timber or precious metals, all to satisfy our insatiable greed.

So do not be fooled by a seemingly "peaceful society", for there is no such thing, for ALL are seething hotbeds of our worst desires born out of our rebellion to Gods rule and teachings and true Peace will prevail only when Christ returns and establishes his rule on Earth.

 

[Bill]

Many conservative Christians claim that it is wrong to allow the government to address the needs of the sick, poor, immigrants and the oppressed. You can read why that is a terrible lie Here. Most of these same conservative Christians blindly support whatever war the United States happens to engage in. And you can read why that is a terrible lie Here.

James 4:1-3: "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures."

Many historians who should know better claim that the Crusades were caused by religion. But while religion is often used to foment war, it is not the root cause. Rather, wars are about the accumulation and protection of wealth.

During the Crusades, rape and much booty was promised to the victors and very few in history have not been paid in some form for being a soldier. When Hitler took over a nation, the first thing he did was to order his troops to find and secure the gold, art, jewelry and other wealth of that nation. Like I Timothy 6:10 says, "for the love of wealth is the root of all evil."

According to Britannica, World War I resulted in 37 million deaths. This so-called "war to end all wars" was soon followed by an estimated 70 to 85 million deaths in World War II. It can be difficult to comprehend such numbers, considering that the population of New York City is only 9.6 million, while the largest city on earth today numbers less than 40 million. Imagine if the entire population of Shanghai vanished from the earth and, this is less than a third of the combined total deaths for two world wars.

Many in the modern age are quick to philosophize about "just war theory", without considering that total deaths in the two above wars are only part of the devastating results. War results in widows, widowers and orphans; entirely families torn apart. War results in overwhelming psychological and emotional damage to both soldiers and civilians and, especially children. War results in horrendous disease, poverty, famine and starvation. And long-term damage, pain and suffering for both soldiers and civilians often lasts a lifetime. Consider that many veterans today return from war and end up participating in anti-war demonstrations.

And then there is the tremendous financial downside of war. In modern warfare, war profiteers pocket hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars; replenishing modern weaponry is incredibly expensive. The combined cost of the U.S. wars in Afghanistan and Iraq totals over five trillion dollars, more than enough to rebuild our decaying infrastructure and end homelessness, while providing universal healthcare for years to come. A truly vexatious result of war is that it wastes valuable resources that can and should be used to help, rather than harm people.

According to The Guardian, after the U.S. failed to replace the police power in Iraq, more people were killed by roving gangs and wanton violence than were killed by both military sides. There is a very good reason why Romans 13, written during the reality of the brutal Roman Empire, warns us not to resist "the authorities" that protect us from lawlessness Romans Chapter 13. When legal constraints are removed, as the United States unwisely did in Iraq, the result is violent anarchy endangering everyone.

The United States population often views itself as being a peaceful nation, but the historical truth is that nearly every generation in our relatively brief history, finds us engaged in another war. Our leaders often claim that whatever current war they are waging is "to secure the peace" and to "prevent" perceived future destruction. But history teaches us that war has never secured any lasting peace or prevented future destruction. Rather, war soon results in more war, often in reaction to grievances caused by previous wars.

Jesus commands us to put our weapons away, which is unarguably the only real solution to war. Jesus warns us twice, both in Matthew 26:52 and Revelation 13:10, that "those who kill with the sword must be killed with the sword." By far the smartest and most influential person in human history promises us the following: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" Matthew 5:9.

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

I would have to say that World War II is a prime example of how War is used for both good and bad. War being bad it is extremely destructive to mankind. And for being good in the sense of what happened because of the war.

After the war was over, the United States did not hold the German people or the Japanese people completely responsible for the actions of the idiots that caused the war in the first place. In fact the USA was instrumentally involved with the rebuilding of Europe as well as Japan and China. Something that the world has forgotten and is not written about in many textbooks.

And in years later the USA became great friends with Japan as they are now and for a long time we were good friends with China as well until communism took over China completely back in the fifties.

We also established great relationships with Germany as well as France England and all the rest of Europe. Years later out of that friendship is the European Union, which never would have existed if we didn't make peace with Germany after the war.

I'm not saying that things don't become corrupted as time goes on. Because mankind does have their own will, and people forget.

 

[Bill]

I'm not aware of anyone alive today who casts out evil spirits. There is much fraud concerning this, as in speaking in tongues. I'm not saying that they can't be cast out, but I'm not aware of anyone who can do that, nor am I aware that anyone can heal the blind or lame. Again, there is much fraud concerning this, like Benny Hinnman, who has admitted he is a fraud and also a false prophet. Much of what passes for supposed speaking in tongues today, like Paula White, is done for corrupt dishonest monetary reasons.

Jesus also said believers can do greater than he did while on earth, but I don't know of anyone who can. If someone could legitimately heal the deaf and the blind, they would be in great demand. Casting out evil spirits is only one of many miracles Jesus did.

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

The Lord has led me to cast out evil spirits, and I know many priests who also have done the same thing

Maybe you're just unaware of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

When my dad was alive there were numerous cases where he prayed over people. He was constantly seeking God to heal people and through his efforts many who came to him were healed. I know of three people young women who all had severe multiple sclerosis, and they were completely healed and the doctors couldn't explain it.

There is a story of a man who went to see Padre Pio when Padre Pio was alive, the man was blind. He had no retinas in his eyes. Padre Pio prayed over him and he could see fine. When the doctors examine the man, he still didn't have any retinas in his eyes, but he could see just as well as anyone in the examination office. If I recall the man is still alive.

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

Seems to me that there will never be "Peace" in this Evil and Corrupt world, for we are always at "war", either within ourselves, with each other through military means or through Economic and political policies. What we see in this world is a playing out of the "Spiritual war" that constantly rages within all of us. For the Demons of Greed, selfishness, envy, hate and lust infest our souls and corrupt and destroy all we encompass.

When "war" is mentioned most people think of military conflict, but the greatest "war" is being fought on the economic front as a result of our greed and selfishness. Millions die every year because the worlds resources are concentrated in the hands of the few instead of the many and humanity wages a constant "war" against creation itself as we strive to extract the last drop of wealth from the earth, in whatever form that might be, be it oil, Meat, Gold ,timber or precious metals, all to satisfy our insatiable greed.

So do not be fooled by a seemingly "peaceful society", for there is no such thing, for ALL are seething hotbeds of our worst desires born out of our rebellion to Gods rule and teachings and true Peace will prevail only when Christ returns and establishes his rule on Earth.

When Jesus returns, he will change all of that. Until then, it is the 'job' of those who believe in Jesus to spread love, joy, peace, freedom and goodwill towards all. It is not our 'job' to engage in war or other violence or to participate in human greed and the evil it causes.

When Jesus was born, the messengers of God sang, "peace on earth, goodwill to the people." And Jesus commands us to put our weapons away. Thus, we know what the cause of Jesus represents and what our 'job' is on this earth.

 

[Bill]

When Jesus returns, he will change all of that. Until then, it is the 'job' of those who believe in Jesus to spread love, joy, peace, freedom and goodwill towards all. It is not our 'job' to engage in war or other violence or to participate in human greed and the evil it causes.

When Jesus was born, the messengers of God sang, "peace on earth, goodwill to the people." And Jesus commands us to put our weapons away. Thus, we know what the cause of Jesus represents and what our 'job' is on this earth.

May Jesus fill us with his love and wisdom

Would you believe if i told you, it is God's will to cause ruin on mankind? For that is the task that has been given to me, bring down the pride of mankind in the whole world. To conquer the world with God's love, and preparing the world for his return