Supporting the troops….
Reports are beginning to surface about Marsha Weinerman, a city official from Cambridge, Massachusetts. She’s made news because she decided to shut down the Boy Scouts care package collection boxes. You see, the Boy Scouts were sending care packages for our troops to enjoy at the holidays. But Marsha Weinerman said the Boy Scouts actions are ‘too pro-war’ and ordered law enforcement to remove the care package collection boxes. The Boy Scout’s troop leader is outraged: "We have never seen anything like this decision in Cambridge before,” Patterson wrote. The city is changing for the worse if decisions like this are allowed to be made." Contact Ms. Weinerman and let her know that it is our troops’ service that protects the rights of all Americans - including our freedom to vote: mWeinerman@cambridgema.gov Or call Ms. Weinerman’s office at: (617) 349-4363.
This information might seem unbelievable to many of us, but consider this. I’ve been blogging with a group of Christians for the few days on the subject of war. The question was posed "Can Christians Support This War". I’ve been absolutely amazed at the response. At the time of this posting, there are over 150 comments logged on this topic. You can read the entire discussion by going to www.preachermike.com
Here are some examples of the comments.
Maybe I’m alone in this sentiment, but I don’t “respect and honor” a soldier any more than, say, a school teacher … a trash collector … a youth worker … or a pianist. Love them? Sure. But I don’t “respect and honor” them because they fight on America’s side.
I struggle w/ being a Christian in America because I don’t believe our government is anything close to ideal and we make our decisions from a position of power w/ the intent of whatever benefits us. For example, so much of our “benevolence” is self-serving. But it is truly a blessing to live in this country. I love my country, I love those who serve, but I’m not, in the immortal words, “Proud to be an American.” If we are serious about His kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven, we must take this issuer seriously and not fall into black/white, either/or thinking.
I think we can support the troops and not support the war.
I think it is time to come home.
It is time to spend money on the American people who appreciate it. Who need it.
The current war does not pass muster on any of the “just war” tests. It is based on lies and false information. It must end. Brian Mclaren’s “unpublished speech” (that President Bush never made) that didn’t make it to his latest book should be required reading by every church. Sorry, how anyone could support this war is beyond me. When the dimension of faith in Jesus is added in, there is nothing more to say.
The scary part about all this is that this discussion is among Christians. Christians who don’t feel it worthy to lay down your life for someone in another country or for your own country. I can tell you that the arrogance in the discussion has totally put me off and made me rethink visiting that blog. The hatefulness is more than this girl can stand. But the sad part is that this is not isolated. There are many "Christians" who believe we aren’t being Christian unless we gather up everyone’s money in this country, give it to the government and let them decide how to distribute it. But they turn right around and are against fighting a people who have made it their goal in life to kill as many innocent people as humanly possible with no regard the the value of God’s children. It makes no sense to me. Perhaps it never will.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13.
