Pacifism
I've thought about pacifism. After spending four days getting to know a pacifist, I've really considered it. Personally, my outward immediate tendency is towards pacifism. I've been in one pseudo-fight in 5th grade. My temper is generally easy to control. I can do this. I cannot think of the last time I wanted to strike someone.
Control. Biblical pacifism is about the giving away control. Camel's eyes and turned cheeks are about human control. God does not need our power. However we create the power, God does not need it. God is all we need. (Now that does sound trite)
So if the extension of pacifism is submission, I am out. Outward pacifism is equivalent to Pharisitical fasting. Respectful submission is what separates out the chaff. Now we are talking about difficult discipleship. I can resist violence (much like I can resist adultery) but submission requires concentrated work (much like lustful thoughts).
10 comments:
Toffelmire,
Here is an interesting corallary to your pacifism. I am seeking illumination about how Christ could be portrayed like this.
http://www.forceministries.com/
Now that is interesting. I seems that from the pacifist point of view, if a soldier were to convert, they would have to forgo thier gun. I will admit the unreconciled aspects of pacifism for me is defensive action and true evil. If Jesus had encountered a soldier raping a young girl, what would his response be?
In the early days of the Church that is exactly what happened, Soliders had to give up their positions if they became Christians.
There are several breeds of pacifism, of course, including confrontational (or "active") pacifism, which would compell the bystander of a girl's rape to step forward and confront the evil being done. Mennonites have been reluctant to practise this sort of pacifism, for obvious reasons, but that is changing. Current practitioners of active pacifism include contemporary South American Mennonites dealing with regimes and drug lords.
If you're curious, Walter Wink gives a good account of this approach, here.
Thanks you WP,
I am always looking for good books and authors. I am in the middle of Body Politics by Yoder. It is a fascinating book.
Thanks.
Try watching an old 1950's movie Friendly Persuasion. Pat Boone sang the theme song, Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire and Anthony Perkins starred in it. It is about a family of Quakers during the civil war and their struggle to fight or not fight when attacked by Confederates. It will give you a lot to think about.
Thanks GS.
BTW, I hope to attend a Quaker service in a few weeks in N.C.
Great comments and post. Walter Wink has great thoughts on this. I also recommend Glen Stassen's "Just Peacemaking" book.
Pacifism is a nobel concept within the Quaker Church. Speaking as a long time 'West Coast' Quaker, however, I don't think that you will find our services not unlike the services of any other denomination.
In our church, the Society of Friends, meditation is a big deal (and a big difference from any other church that I have attended).
But, back to pacifism. Even within the church, whether it is discussed or not, there are always members that are not total or even partial pacifists (ie police officers and soldiers). Also, there exists a group of protectorate. Those who protect the church from outside or inside threats.
As a Quaker, you can't be forced to serve in the military, though.
So can you ever serve the state and be a true pacifist, i.e.. military, police. Is even possible to truly represent in true democratic fashion as a Christian, when some of your constituent is not christian? Maybe you can be a politician who happens to be a christian vs. a "Christian Politician"?
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