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What is the Christian to do?


Should Christians bear arms?

Is non-violence practicable?

And what are your views on this statement by Ballou

“One man must not kill. If he does, it is murder; two, ten, one hundred men, acting on their responsibility, must not kill. If they do, it is still murder. But a state or nation may kill as many as they please, and it is no murder. It is just, necessary, commendable, and right. Only get people enough to agree to it, and the butchery of myriads of human beings is perfectly innocent. But how many does it take? This is the question. Just so with theft, robbery, burglary, and all other crimes. Man-stealing is a great crime in one man, or a very few men only. But a whole nation can commit it, and the act becomes not only innocent, but highly honorable.”

About makagutu

As Onyango Makagutu I am Kenyan, as far as I am a man, I am a citizen of the world

43 thoughts on “What is the Christian to do?”

  1. Arkenaten says:
    May 2, 2017 at 11:25

    Divine Command Theory anyone?

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. john zande says:
    May 2, 2017 at 13:28

    This apologist argues (by using the OT) Christians can carry guns

    ” What Christians most often forget is how to read the whole Bible as the complete Word of God. For some, there is a misunderstanding that the Old Testament no longer applies to Christians. That would be a mistaken understanding”

    Can Christians Carry Concealed Weapons?

    Naturally, I’m sure the same apologist isn’t interested in following through on also following, say, Leviticus 20:9

    “‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death. Because they have cursed their father or mother, their blood will be on their own head.

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  3. shelldigger says:
    May 2, 2017 at 14:19

    Sounds like Ballou has been observing the U.S. for a while. And Russia.

    If Ballou was making this observation in a time past, then funny how things don’t really change much in this regard. Killing for country is somehow honorable.

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  4. inspiredbythedivine1 says:
    May 2, 2017 at 17:11

    I, being the devout follower of Christ that I am, always carry a small nuclear device with me. Jesus demands I do this to protect myself from atheists, dark skinned people, and all other non-Americans. It is my love for Jesus and his love for me, as an American, that make it hunky-dory for me to annihilate all those I see as my enemy. So, it isn’t murder for even one single American to kill a non-American. Christ, Jesus killed, like, billions of non-Americans back in the day because they were dark skinned and non-Christian. If it was OK for him to do it, why would it not be OK for me? Murder, my friend, does not exist for Americans when we kill non-Americans. Hope this clears things up for you. 🙂

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  5. renudepride says:
    May 2, 2017 at 17:46

    True christians should NOT bear arms, as that is contrary to the basis of their faith. They are commanded to “turn the other cheek.” And the “christian” nations that do wage war aren’t really christian, they are greedy and belligerent. But then again, the two just might be synonymous. Nice post, my Kenyan brother. Naked hugs!

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  6. Liberty of Thinking - Moshe Ben Yehuda says:
    May 2, 2017 at 19:50

    “Is non-violence practicable?”
    Dunno, ask the Jesuits and read about the Inquisition 😉
    Or ask former Pope Ratzinger, he was a hitlerjugend…
    Or Cromwell?

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    • makagutu says:
      May 3, 2017 at 08:40

      The Inquisition was to remove those who didn’t believe rightly, for the love of god. I thought you knew this my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

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    • basenjibrian says:
      May 3, 2017 at 21:06

      Given that the Creator is OMNIPOTENT AND OMNISCIENT, why did he not create a universe in which non-violence is practicable?

      Methinks Yahweh likes blood and guts and sturm und drang! They are…nutritious. Perhaps, addictive like sugar or other drugs?

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  7. atheistsmeow says:
    May 2, 2017 at 21:27

    No private citizen anywhere should carry arms in modern society, especially concealed weapons, or handguns.

    A rigorous qualification to carry hunting rifles should be implemented, & only if you need them to get food.

    Trophy hunting should be outlawed……everywhere!

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. koppieop says:
    May 2, 2017 at 23:21

    — A whole nation can commit it [crime], and the act becomes not only innocent, but highly honorable.—.
    Honor. Perhaps the best but certainly the most simple explanation of war. “Man who are not from here, have put a foot on our territory. so they must be severely punished an then thrown out; this cannot wait until to-morrow”.
    In their defence, the men said: “What are you people doing here? Our forefathers lived in this region four thousand years ago, remember?”.
    Whose honor was at stake first?
    And on and on, the merry-go-on world keeps spinning from one war to another, worried about each country’s honor. The arms industry, enchanté. How could they not be!

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  9. Robert A. Vella says:
    May 2, 2017 at 23:28

    So, murder by people is immoral; but, mass murder by state is moral. That is a rationalization of unimaginable proportions and the product of an egregiously sick mind, in my opinion.

    What is the Christian to do? Go home, love your family, practice your faith in the sanctity of your own home, tell your fundamentalist/dominionist church leaders to go eff themselves, and most importantly keep all religion – including your own – out of politics.

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    • makagutu says:
      May 3, 2017 at 08:29

      While we both agree that mass murder by state is immoral, it has many supporters.
      And I agree, keep all religion out of politics

      Liked by 2 people

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      • basenjibrian says:
        May 3, 2017 at 21:19

        Not sure this is possible (keeping all religion out of politics) given that religious people often are fundamentally unable to do so. A better maxim must be something like “Justify all politics based on objective measures”.

        Even there, the issues of morality, tradition, past practices, etc. come into play. Is it possible to separate out religion from politics? Even adamant atheists still depend on their cultural milieu to at least guide their thinking on political (and moral) questions. and, absent being raised in some sort of Atheist commune, means that the cultural values of your family and community (inevitably infected by the dominant religion) come to play.

        So…heartily agree with the spirit behind these statements…not sure it can ever happen except in very specific cases like “No religious test for public office” (and even that is a lie given that a minority or oppositional religious tradition will definitely be a test that one cannot pass in many communities for public office)

        Longwinded, I know. Will be silent now. 🙂

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        • makagutu says:
          May 4, 2017 at 09:00

          Is it possible to ask a religious person to keep his religion private? Especially for those who believe religion is an important part of their life? How is this reconciled with a secular government? Do we ask them to stay away from politics and maybe pray more?

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          • Nan says:
            May 4, 2017 at 18:34

            You’ve presented an ideal (albeit impossible) scenario. The believers just can’t help themselves. Their lives are totally controlled by their “faith.”

            “Self”-control is no longer an option.

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  10. The Pink Agendist, née Mr. Merveilleux says:
    May 3, 2017 at 02:07

    Should Christians bear arms? I dunno, but I’d love to see what happens if you put a Christian in a cage with a bear with strong arms 😀

    Liked by 2 people

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