Christian prayer for violence against our enemy in US war with Iran

Hegseth, US Defense Secretary, frequently invokes his evangelical faith as head of the armed forces, depicting a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might. He read a prayer given by a military chaplain to the troops:

“Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” Hegseth prayed during the livestreamed service. “Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”

The ethos of the Hebrew Old Testament or teaching of Jesus Christ?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

That's a very fair question. The kind of rhetoric coming from Hegseth, shows a lack of understanding of Jesus' teaching. Christianity is not essentially a pacifist faith, but this abhorrent clap trap should be anathema to those who know the whole Bible and not just the gory bits.

sree251 · 41-45, M

@FreddieUK

Christianity is not essentially a pacifist faith, but this abhorrent clap trap should be anathema to those who know the whole Bible and not just the gory bits.

The gory bits? And why do you say that Jesus' teaching is not a pacifist faith?

Pacifism is the principled opposition to war and violence as methods for settling disputes, advocating instead for peaceful, nonviolent means. Is that not consistent with Jesus' teaching?

FreddieUK · 70-79, M

@sree251 Many see it as so, especially in the modern era. But there is a strong tradition of.’ the just war’ which is argued can also be consistent in fighting injustice. WW2 was seen as such by many Christians. Jesus did speak about peace and is described as the Prince of Peace, but that does not necessarily mean that within the fallen world whether Christian finds themselves resort to defence with arms is essentially ruled out. The Bible also says that there will be no peace until the end of days. Personally, I don’t take that to mean that we shouldn’t strive for peace, but the fact is we live in a war in world. It is the bombastic and bloodthirsty language of the current US administration which is completely foreign to what has gone before and I am sure Jesus is weeping at what he sees.

Diotrephes · 70-79, M

@FreddieUK Since you seem to believe in the biblical fairytale, do you also believe in the Beowulf and the King Arthur fairytales?

The Koran has some of the same characters as the biblical fairytale. So you should also believe in it as well.