We Need to Talk About Peace by Scott Via
** ** ** ** ** ** "We are called to be Christ-like, and to follow Christ's teachings. But we avoid talking about it and agree to disagree. We need to discuss it very openly, and do it peacefully." ** ** ** ** ** **
I grew up in the Mennonite Church. I heard peace taught as a kid, but just thought that was one of those Mennonite things. I went into the Marine Corps at age 21, mostly because I was looking for adventure and something meaningful to do. I knew the church wouldn't like it. They put me on the inactive members list. I don't know if it was because I went into the military or because I wasn't there anymore, but I understood.
After I got out of the Marines, I came straight back to Virginia. After some time, I became more active in the church again. I read the Confession of Faith and the referenced Bible verses. At the same time, I was observing what was going on around me ?the fervor for war. I saw it on TV, and I saw it among everyday people I met. And I reflected on what I had experienced in the Marine Corps. I talked with my grandmother and others. I came to finally realize that this belief is not just a Mennonite idea. The more I read, the more I became convicted.
I am now fully convinced that a Christian cannot go to war. Peace is a theme all through the Bible. We are called to be Christ-like, and to follow Christ's teachings. But we avoid talking about it and agree to disagree. We need to discuss it very openly, and do it peacefully. Our beliefs can't be determined by personalities like Rush Limbaugh, or politicians. Some Christians think I'm crazy. I've actually found that veterans who are Christian are usually easier to talk to, because they have seen what war is like.
I'm proud that our country has been gracious enough in providing the opportunity for conscientious objection in recent times. I?d like to talk to anyone who is now considering going into the military, whether or not they are a Christian. If they are a Christian, we can study the biblical teachings. I encourage them to not sign up until they have had time to give it some thought and prayer. Even if someone is not Christian, I'd like to talk to them before they go. Even if I don't talk them out of it, I can at least give them some warning about what it is really like.
I think that our Mennonite churches need to stop being so quiet about peace. If we all are God's children, then we need to stop following what politics and TV tell us. We need to concentrate within our congregations and communities to be a witness like Jesus Christ asks us to be.
Scott Via
Lynside Mennonite Church, Lyndhurst, Va.
Please post responses or questions at www.thirdway.com/talk
Any comments? Sounds like a good idea to me, and I speak as one who stoped a bullet in 1966.
pastorfrin |