Crossposted from MY LEFT WING
We have been told repeatedly that the United States is a "Christian nation," founded on "Christian principles."
We have been told repeatedly that George W. Bush is a "man of faith," a "born-again Christian."
In other words, under orders from a self-styled Christian head of state, the world's most powerful "Christian nation" just started a "massive air assault" on Iraq. DROPPING BOMBS is how I understand that phrase. Apparently it MIGHT not mean that.
The "Christian" head of a "Christian" state has authorised a week of a war consisting of MASSIVE, systematic terrorising, disfigurement, dismemberment and murder of human beings... with bombs.
This week's rationale:"...to root out insurgents near a town where recent violence raised fears of civil war."
Praise Jesus, the missiles are flying, Hallelujah.
You know how the Fox News types chortle when one of their guests says, "Islam is a religion of peace?"
I wonder how the average Iraqi feels when she hears someone say, "Christianity is a religion of peace."
Someone please explain to me how going to war, shooting families in cars, bombing entire cities, blasting the limbs off of children, and creating an entire generation of war orphans has ANYTHING to do with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
You want to call yourself a Christian? Swell. BEHAVE like a Christian. You want to call yourself "pro-life" and mourn all the unborn children who never had a chance to live? Take a moment to consider all the pregnant women who've been killed in Iraq. Or, say, how about all those children who did have a chance to live... before we bombed them into oblivion.
These are the words of Jesus Christ:
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
"What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul."
"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."
"Tend to my sheep."
"Blessed are the merciful."
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."
"Forgive seventy times seven."
"Blessed are the peacemakers."
"Whatever you have done to little children you have done to me."
"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."
"You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."
Then they came up and laid hands upon Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head."
Now, I know that many Christians have no use for other religions; these are shortsighted and ignorant people. Christians who truly practice the teachings of Jesus Christ are well aware that many religions preach the same basic precepts:
Let there be no injury and no requital.
- Islam. Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 32
One should choose to be among the persecuted, rather than the persecutors.
- Judaism. Talmud, Baba Kamma 93a
Victory breeds hatred, for the defeated live in pain. Happily live the peaceful, giving up victory and defeat.
- Buddhism. Dhammapada 201
Chi K'ang-tzu asked Confucius about government, saying, "Suppose I were to slay those who have not the Way in order to help those who have the Way, what would you think of it?" Confucius replied saying, "You are there to rule, not to slay. If you desire what is good, the people will at once be good."
- Confucianism. Analects 12.19
Those who beat you with fists,
Do not pay them in the same coin,
But go to their house and kiss their feet.
- Sikhism. Adi Granth, Shalok, Farid, p. 1378
In wars to gain land, the dead fill the plains; in wars to gain cities, the dead fill the cities. This is known as showing the land the way to devour human flesh. Death is too light a punishment for such men who wage war. Hence those skilled in war should suffer the most severe punishments.
- Confucianism. Mencius IV.A.14
There is nothing I can say or do to make this stop. These are not men of peace, these are not men of Christ or men of faith.
These are warmongers who use the words of faith to pacify the masses while they use bombs and money to secure for themselves more and more of the power they seek.
THESE ARE EVIL MEN AND EVIL DEEDS.
UPDATE:
I wrote this in response to Baculum King, who's spent the better part of the day attempting to clarify for those of us less schooled in military jargon the meaning of the phrase, "massive air assault:"
I do appreciate the "detrailment" of this discussion. I put it in quotes because, ordinarily, I'd designate it as such.
But in the case of this diary, as you've worked very hard to point out, there was a mistake in the original assumption made by the diarist (MOI? Mistake???). It bears correcting.
It also stands to reason that people have got all vituperative and such -- it's a wretched discussion to be having, and while the events described by the reporters this morning may not be what I initially perceived them to be, it doesn't really change much in regard to the grotesque facts just as they are.
I'm sorry it took me so long to understand the difference in terminology, and sorry I can't edit the diary to more accurately reflect the facts without ruining its original message...
I hope this comment will stand as my retraction of any errors; in fact, I'm goign to add it to the end of the text.