Poster | Thread | ginnyrose Member
Joined: 2004/7/7 Posts: 7534 Mississippi
| Are Christians Terrorists? | | Been thinking. Nothing new, really, but was disturbed when I saw the list of who some would consider terrorists in the USA. And Christians made that list. Oooohhhh.
Why should Christians be included on that list? None in recent history have initiated any action that resulted in riots, nor have any been implicated in any sniper shooting that I know of...
But many who call themselves Christians - are viewed as possible terrorists. Is this fear justified?
Likely the most devoted patriots in the USA are Christian folks. They love this land but hate what it has become politically, socially and spiritually. In their idealism they want to work to restore what has been or at least to bring about something totally different then what it has become. Fiery rhetoric has become the norm: the call to action has been issued and you begin by stockpiling weapons and ammo because we will defend ourselves. My right - second amendment says so.
So, is the gov correct in regarding evangelicals as potential terrorists? What do you think?
Does Scripture offer an alternative? How do we live in the world but not be a part of the world? The world is characterized by conflict, strife, evil, perversions of all kinds...How does a body live in the midst of these evils and not be contaminated by it? Does one fight strife with strife? Is there a better way?
I love my country and I lament what it has become. Or what I think it has become...is it possible it has been this way a lloonnngggg time but it was hid from public view - that it was all in the closet a long time? Is God allowing these perversions to become bold to expose to us who the tares are so we can be warned and not allow ourselves to be sucked into their whorl? How does one fight perversions? Political activism has not proven to be successful, so how does one deal with it?
In our confronting evil, are we perceived as being terrorists? Are ungodly folks scared of Christians because we speak the truth or because they really believe we would use guns upon them? or, maybe both? Would you really use guns, really? and send someone to hell (likely) in order to defend yourself? (and may be even fail at that?)
I keep wondering...
_________________ Sandra Miller
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| 2013/9/11 6:27 | Profile |
| Re: Are Christians Terrorists? | | Ginny you need only look to your own Anabaptist heritage and you will find the answers to your questions.
Bear. |
| 2013/9/11 9:26 | | Jeremy221 Member
Joined: 2009/11/7 Posts: 1532
| Re: Are Christians Terrorists? | | Whose fear? Yours or theirs? |
| 2013/9/11 9:31 | Profile | MaryJane Member
Joined: 2006/7/31 Posts: 3057
| Re: Are Christians Terrorists? | | Ginnyrose
Thank you for posting this topic. I have been thinking on some of these things as well. I keep thinking that the Word tells me this is not my home, that my home is in HEAVEN with JESUS and we are just pilgrims on a journey to be with our KING passing through this world until we reach our HOME with HIM! Along the way I pray, and love on others as HE gives leading but when and where does HE instruct me to be a part of this world??? How does killing my enemy coincide with "love your enemies."
You asked how does one fight perversions, the only answer I have is in prayer. The real weapons that we have that in the end will make the most difference and matter to HIM is prayer and living every moment in HIM regardless.
I believe that the world hates us when we speak truth to them in love, when our weapons are truth and prayers they hate us. Speak the truth we must in love and pray for them, if they hate us then we were told to expect that, they hated JESUS also.
much here to consider before HIM and pray over. God bless mj |
| 2013/9/11 10:29 | Profile | ginnyrose Member
Joined: 2004/7/7 Posts: 7534 Mississippi
| Re: | | Theirs. The gov fears Christians as possible terrorists.
_________________ Sandra Miller
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| 2013/9/11 14:29 | Profile | ginnyrose Member
Joined: 2004/7/7 Posts: 7534 Mississippi
| Re: | | Bear,
I know the answer to my questions..:-) But was putting this question out there to see if people would consider how the secular person may regard 'Christians'.
Actually, I think their fear is justified. And, yes, I suspect that if I refuse to fight that my greatest enemy would likely be militant 'Christians', just like it was back in the early Anabaptist days. If it is other 'Christians' who will go after you it will not be because of issues pertaining to homosexuality but because you refuse to bear arms. When this becomes the case you will be regarded as a traitor. And liked by 'nobody'.
Am I scared? I do not know, but am coming to the realization that the people who I think one can look to for mutual support will not be there, but will turn on you because of your position in refusing to kill. But God will still be there even if people aren't.
ginnyrose
_________________ Sandra Miller
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| 2013/9/11 14:43 | Profile | MaryJane Member
Joined: 2006/7/31 Posts: 3057
| Re: | | ginnyrose wrote:Actually, I think their fear is justified. And, yes, I suspect that if I refuse to fight that my greatest enemy would likely be militant 'Christians', just like it was back in the early Anabaptist days. If it is other 'Christians' who will go after you it will not be because of issues pertaining to homosexuality but because you refuse to bear arms. When this becomes the case you will be regarded as a traitor. And liked by 'nobody'.
__________________
I have thought this as well.
God bless mj |
| 2013/9/11 15:24 | Profile | ginnyrose Member
Joined: 2004/7/7 Posts: 7534 Mississippi
| Re: | | Mary Jane, it will be very insightful to see how many others will have considered this as a possibility.
You know, Mary Jane, the challenges that would confront a person who determines to love the enemy will be immense. I think this is something I will seriously have to consider. Not worry, but just face the possibilities knowing full well God will be there to give one insight and strength to do his will. And..his will is that He will mete out justice, my knowledge is flawed, can't do it well, but God can and will.
Thanks for sharing, Mary Jane. _________________ Sandra Miller
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| 2013/9/11 16:46 | Profile |
| Re: | | I think Fred Phelps is regarded as a terrorist.
Well, you have people like Fred Phelps, who pickets various events, such as military funerals and gay pride gatherings to name a couple. He argues that it is his sacred duty to warn others of God's anger.
Fred Waldron Phelps, Sr. is the pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), an independent Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas. Phelps is a disbarred lawyer, founder of the Phelps Chartered law firm, and a former civil rights activist. A member of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY (is there anything else to say?). He has occasionally run for political office. In the election for United States Senator for Kansas in 1992, he received 49,416 votes (30.8%) in the Democratic primary, coming in second after Gloria O'Dell (who subsequently lost to later presidential candidate Bob Dole).
In response to Phelps' protests at military funerals, President George W. Bush signed the Respect for America's Fallen Heroes Act into law in May 2006,[1] and, in April 2007, Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius signed into law a bill establishing a 150-foot no-picketing buffer zone around funerals.[2] As of April 2006, 8 other states have enacted similar laws and 10 more were considering it. On August 6, 2012, President Obama signed Pub.L. 112154, the Honoring Americas Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012[3] which, among other things, requires a 300-foot and 2-hour buffer zone around military funerals.[4]
He is known for the slogans that he and his ministry use against people he deems sinful; his church is built around a core of anti-homosexual theology, with many of their activities stemming from the slogan "God hates fags", which is also the name of the group's main website. Gay rights supporters have denounced him as a producer of anti-gay propaganda and violence-inspiring hate speech.[5] The church is considered a hate group and monitored by the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center.[6][7]
On September 3, 1935, when Phelps was five years old, his mother died of esophageal cancer at the age of 28.[8] After the death of their mother, Phelps and his younger sister were raised by their great-aunt Irene Jordan in Meridian. Jordan later died in a car accident in 1950. On December 25, 1944, Phelps' father married Olive Briggs, and Phelps and his sister were raised by their father and stepmother in Meridian.[8] By the mid-1950s, Phelps was estranged from his parents, never spoke to them, and returned all their letters unopened.[9]
Read more for yourself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Phelps |
| 2013/9/11 17:31 | | havok20x Member
Joined: 2008/9/14 Posts: 980 Pineville, LA
| A response... | | I don't think the point of this thread is gun rights/control. At least I am hoping it is not. So, without making it about that, I do want to say some things.
1) If I were being persecuted because of my testimony for Jesus Christ, I would lay my life down, if necessary, for the glory of Christ. I would offer no resistance, although I may be found to avoid pain by using whatever laws are in place at that time to protect me (as Paul did on multiple occasions). But I would consider it an honor to suffer for the sake of my Lord.
2) I despise anarchy. It is unbiblical as it rejects the authorities that God has placed. A rebellion against government for the sake of getting rid of the government is a de facto rejection of the authority of God as well.
3) The Bible highly exalts mercy. As a Christian, I ought to seek this quality to show in my life. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive merciful.
4) Those who make peace are honored in the scriptures. Blessed are the peace makers. As Christians, we should seek peace with all men, so far as it depends on us.
5) Vengence/revenge is clearly forbidden in the Bible. Absolutely, under no circumstance, is it acceptable. Rage-actions are also unacceptable.
However, these things do not nullify the scriptures about Justice and the defense of the innocent. If a man broke into my neighbors house and was raping her and I knew it but did nothing about it, then I am guilty. If my enemy was suffering unjustly at the hands of my friends and I did nothing, then I am guilty. If a person broke into my house while I was sleeping, I have every right to defend my home and those under my watchful protection. Do I want to kill anyone. Absolutely not. Will I--if it is necessary for the defense of others, then yes.
Also, I do not believe soldiers are condemned anywhere in scripture for being soldiers. They are told not to abuse their powers, but never to lay down the sword.
If I have a brother or sister who refuses to own a gun, will I hate them? No way! If I have a brother or sister who allows the innocent to be destroyed before their very eyes and they do not act, will I hate them. No. But I will rebuke them, as it is not fitting for a Christian to despise the innocent by allowing them to be destroyed when we have the ability to help them--in any circumstance, not just the ones that have to deal with guns.
I am not an extremist, but if we run around saying we really believe what the Bible says, then lets not forget about the grittier stuff.
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| 2013/9/11 18:06 | Profile |
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