Phoenix
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Politics is a trivial process of power. It?s something we do not need, nor should we have. But the sad truth is most humans are ignorant and willing to blindly follow the system because they have been raised unable to fend for themselves. I personally find it a shame that humanity has fallen so low that the only thing they?re good at as a whole anymore is destroying and killing everything around them, including each other. Dev/null, I am in full agreement with you there. I do not like politics myself, I prefer things to be cut and dry. State your intentions, and do what you intend. That's why I'm sickened by this whole Iraq thing, not because of the prospect of war, but because of the mockery and circus that is going on. This dog and pony show with the UN is accomplishing nothing. It neither removes the threat of Saddam nor does it prevent war. Why bother? History is just repeating itself again, the UN is no different than the league of nations and is just as ineffective. The danger I see is in the world getting bogged down in a quagmire of political maneuvering, accusations, and the emboldening of the terrorists when they feel the US, and the rest of the world, is going to be soft and not have the nerve to act. Right or wrong, the price for inaction NOW is that it shows weakness. That is already being exploited. Now Saddam is bringing in suicide volunteer troops. This is one thing I failed to include in my last post. While I pointed out the honorable reasons to fight and to soldier, there are reasons just as dishonorable. Mindless fanaticism, the desire to kill and brutalize, the desire to conquer for conquest's sake alone, the wish to rule through might - those are all motives of evil men and those who serve them. A true soldier fights for what is right, the other kind is just a thug with a gun serving yet a bigger thug.
Contrary to what some might think I don't blindly support Bush either, I only support him if he's right, same as anyone else. I do think he has a strong character and is capable of making difficult decisions. I do think for the most part his heart appears to be in the right place, who can say for sure, but I will raise this question. The US just tested a conventional explosive today in Florida that carries 19,000 lbs of explosives. The intention is to use this to intimidate the Iraqis? What in God's name for? This kind of munition has no tactical value in the places where the obvious fighting will be going on - densely populated areas. I can see such a munition used to destroy hardened targets and underground bunkers... but the collateral damage of using something like this anywhere near a populated area is completely unacceptible. Blowing it up just for show isn't going to dig out the loyalist troops, and those willing to surrender are going to do so without this thing. Is this what the delay has been for, waiting for this new toy to work? And until the smoke clears, who will be able to tell the difference between this beast and a real tactical nuke? This disturbs me just as much as the world's turning a blind eye toward Saddam. I see no value in such a weapon from a tactical standpoint unless your intention is killing a lot of people, or else just trying it out "because you can". I'd like some clarification on the logic behind this. If they intend to use this to nullify by explosive means underground stockpiles of chemical and biological munitions that are away from civilian areas, assuming this is feasible, then more power to them, and setting a few off "just for show" in addition to that is just fine. Otherwise I question the use of such a weapon.
Games, disagreeing with someone is one thing, but I would ask that if you speak about something that you at least know what you're talking about. Putting words in God's mouth isn't a good idea. God is not opposed to war all the time completely if you read the bible. The bible is rife with wars, some where God commanded the Israelites to do things that people today would find absolutely barbaric. The reasoning? Well, read for yourself, whether you agree with it or not. If someone here reads this and does not agree with or believe in the bible then this is all irrelevant to you, no worries then, but if you are a Christian, believe the bible, and think God is just peace and love and so much fluff, read on and learn something about your Lord.
Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name Well that's pretty blunt.Numbers 31:7 They fought against Midian, as the LORD commanded Moses, and killed every man.... (9) The Israelites captured the Midianite women and children and took all the Midianite herds, flocks and goods as plunder. (10) They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps. (11) They took all the plunder and spoils, including the people and animals, (12) and brought the captives, spoils and plunder to Moses and Eleazar the priest and the Israelite assembly at their camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho. (13) Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp. (14) Moses was angry with the officers of the army--the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds who returned from the battle. (15) "Have you allowed all the women to live?" he asked them. (16) "They were the ones who followed Balaam's advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD's people. (17) Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, (18) but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man. . . ." Kill the boys and men but keep the virgin maidens? Sounds pretty damned harsh doesn't it? Times were quite different back then. The reason for the slaughter of the other women was that they deceived the Israelites into turning away from the Lord, and God struck his people with a plague. Moses was following the will of the Lord in keeping his people from straying and worshiping false gods and idols, which if you read the Old Testament, they had a strong tendency to stray. As for keeping those maidens, well, if your guts aren't tied up in knots by now I'm not surprised, nor will I be surprised to hear a lot of anti-Christian and anti-Jewish attacks after this particular Phoenix rant. Surprise, life is harsh, sometimes God is too. I know that one from personal experience - I've been on the other end of it myself a few times and had my tailfeathers tanned when I was disobedient. Let's continue.Matthew 26:47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. (48) Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him." (49) At once he came up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him. (50) Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you are here to do." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. (51) Suddenly, one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. (52) Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (53) Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (54) But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?" (55) At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a bandit? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. (56) But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Yet here is Jesus warning his disciples that anyone who lives by the sword will die by the sword, as it's often put. Look at who the ones are who are living by the sword in the text. Living by the sword should not be confused with using a sword for its intended purpose. One is a way of life, the other is an action. Then again, there's another way to read this. Jesus is the "Word made flesh", and the "Word of God" is a sharp sword. Perhaps here he is telling his desciples that those who have come to take him will be judged by him (perish) later? Interesting to ponder.Matthew 10:28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (29) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (30) And even the hairs of your head are all counted. (31) So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. (32) "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; (33) but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. (34) "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. (35) For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; (36) and one's foes will be members of one's own household. (37) Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; (38) and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. (39) Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. Emphasis mine. Jesus is saying that through him will come division, and that people will have to choose between following God and following the will of their loved ones and families. The sword he brings is the Word of God. One only has to look to the disagreements over religion that go on to see the truth in that statement that he did not bring peace. Just look at Devlar and myself, we are completely opposite when it comes to belief in God, and how much blood is spilled over differences in religions in the world?Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. (2) Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. (3) For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; (4) for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. (5) Therefore one must be subject, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. (6) For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, busy with this very thing. (7) Pay to all what is due them--taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. Again emphasis mine. Yes everyone knows there are a LOT of heartless bureaucrats and bad cops and army-types out there. The key point here is that if one believes that God has a plan then these authorities are set up and knocked down in order to advance that plan and for no other reason, and that respecting such authority serves God, but also has the added bonus of keeping your neck out of a noose. Render undo Caeser what is Caeser's, and Caeser will leave you alone for the most part. I do not think that those who are corrupt that hold authority are those who are meant here, but those who are legitimate and are enforcing the laws of the land properly. If indeed the authorities are servents of God executing wrath against wrongdoers, then what of those of the modern day? What about the average GI who's out there taking out Al Qaida? I leave this to your judgement.Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. (14) Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. (15) As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. (16) With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (17) Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This is spiritual warfare, plain and simple. THIS is the commandment that I keep, and is what I do; it is the battle I choose to fight.Revelation 12:7 And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the Dragon; and the Dragon fought and his angels, ( And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in Heaven. (9) And the Great Dragon was cast out, that Old Serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the Earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (10) And I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, 'Now is come Salvation, and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of His Christ: for the Accuser of our Brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God Day and Night.' War in heaven! How much closer to God can you get? God has declared war on Satan and his fallen angels and opens up a can of heavenly you-know-what. I live to see this day when the evil one is finally cast down and defeated. Still think God is completely anti-war?Revelation 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. (12) His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems; and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. (13) He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. (14) And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. (15) From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (16) On his robe and on his thigh he has a name inscribed, "King of kings and Lord of lords." (17) Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in midst of heaven, "Come, gather for the great supper of God, (18) to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of the mighty, the flesh of horses and their riders-- flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great." (19) Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against the rider on the horse and against his army. (20) And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who had performed in its presence the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (21) And the rest were killed by the sword of the rider on the horse, the sword that came from his mouth; and all the birds were gorged with their flesh."Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse... Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven..." Well I guess that ends the debate a lot of people have as to whether or not we animals are in heaven. Sorry, it's not a "Homo Sapiens-Only" club up there, but I digress... Here we see Christ Himself, leading the armies of heaven, smiting the nations with a sword, killing those who are making war against him, with my feathered companions devouring the flesh of the fallen wicked who have been severed. IN RIGHTEOUSNESS he makes war. That is the difference between God and man, God KNOWS what is right, man often times is mislead in his motives. Sometimes what God does appears horrible to people, but in the end does not God define good and evil? So while there is much of the bible devoted to salvation, turning the other cheek, etc, there ARE times for war.Ecclesiastes 3:1 TO every thing there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: (2)A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted, (3)a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build up, (4)a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, (5)a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, (6)a time to get and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away, (7)a time to rend and a time to sew, a time to keep silence and a time to speak, (8)a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. My point here is not to glorify war, I do not like watching people suffer and die, alongside my non-human friends who just get caught in the crossfire. War unfortunately is a terrible necessity in this cosmic play, the same as death, the same as suffering. If people want to solve their problems without ever resorting to war, I offer you two solutions. The first, go extinct. I guarantee you that you'll never have another war after that. The second, a bit less drastic, is learn to forgive each other and swallow your foolish pride, turn the other cheek, and learn how to truly love each other as brothers and sisters. That only works if EVERYONE does it, but people don't like to forgive, they tend to like to get back at other people instead and the desire to dominate is strong as ever. I don't see either of these scenarios playing out any time soon, so we're all right back where we started again. As long as there are bad people who desire to oppress and good people willing to stand up to them, there will be war. As long as there are fallen angels skulking about in the heavens and on the earth, there will be war. As long as living beings of any species contest for power, there will be war.
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