Interesting contrast

Submitted by Ted (United States), Mar 16, 2006 at 18:32

It is interesting that Jesus said to not attack others and to not defend ourselves against attack. The just war concept originated at a later time. Jesus said love your enemies and do good to those that persecute you. Jesus refuses to bless violence in any form and for any reason. These beliefs are from another level that continually challenges us. The divine inspiration is palpable. With so many bad fruits coming from elsewhere as we have been discussing, one really questions the origins. Since coming back to the Catholic faith in 1992, I have not heard one violent word or soft word urging violence in any way from a Catholic pulpit. And I often attend daily Mass at a variety of churches so I have heard dozens of priests. On the Sunday after 9/11, our paster said thoughtfully and with pause to make sure all the parishioners got it, "Our God is not a terrorist." No mention of Islam but he got to fundamental issues of the origin of such things as what happened on 9/11. He talked about evil, persecution of Christians, love for others, forgiveness, fortitude, prayer, reading the Bible, practicing our beliefs and staying close to Jesus. He did not talk in any way about joining the military or fighting back. The constant prayers I hear up to this point from all the different services that I attend are for an end to violence and war. I hear no prayers for victory and defeat of the enemy. I hear love, not hate. Pray for those who persecute you.

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