Why do we have different standards for going to war in movies versus real life? As I was watching the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King for probably the fourth time, I was struck at how the movie made obvious that evil must be defeated and that good must be fought for. In fact, when the King of Rohan at first decides that he must spare his people's lives rather than go to war, everyone in the audience knows that the King has made a big mistake. Peace is not an option because the evil ones do not seek peace.
So, I ask again, why in movies is war ok but in real life war is the enemy? Well, maybe we don't see evil as clearly. Our real enemies don't have costumes and make-up on that make it obvious that they are opposed to life and truth. They don't have snarling teeth or grumbling voices. In real life, our enemies look like ourselves. They have children. They drink tea. They are human. But does that excuse us from ever taking a stance against evil simply for the sake of avoiding war? I leave you to ponder as your
Mrs. Pickett
4 comments:
Along with what you were saying, they are like us. I think we, as Americans are afraid in a way about this war. Let me explain myself. Since the enemies are like us, if we go to war against them, then we must go to war against ourselves. But, we don't want to do that. We love our sin. If this is totally off, sorry
Lauren, I didn't take this so much as a political statement (either defending or opposing President Bush) but as something fundamental with regard to our whole attitude toward evil. We cannot come to terms with it. And yes, sometimes that does mean literal, physical war. You got me with the drinking tea part... very good post.
Good post. I think it can easily be applied to the abortion industry as much as Al-Qaeda.
I may be over my head here.
Can our culture be put in a suitcase and unpacked to sort out and hang up or put away in drawers or out on the curb?
Our culture is nothing but a reflection of past times and cultures; the result of the effects of a chronic infection of sin. There is nothing new under the sun.
Scott brought up abortion, you brought up war, Kim brought up the struggle we have with fighting against evil, when the evil is within us. Whoa! That's too much isn't it!
Let's put Scott's and Kim's together here: Let's say that I can sure understand the difficult situation that young woman is in. (You must understand, that I am having trouble expressing this point of view because I have been irrevocably convicted of the evil of the shedding of innocent blood.) She, you understand, has been raised to cover up her bad behavior or even to call it good in her case. She maybe can't face the wrath of family or the disgrace of her friends. She cannot be inconvenienced by even nine months of pregnancy, much less 18 years of motherhood. Not right now, anyways. How about this one: I can't feed this baby, it would be miserable and unwanted. She has also been entirely indoctrinated by the evil deception that it is not a baby yet (this is a deep, tangled evolutionary, feminist doctrine). She truly bevieves it. She doesn't know what you're on about.
OK, if you can't wrap your mind around any of those, how about this one: Who are you! Who am I? How can I call her on her sin, when I am so saturated by my own? Surely none of you can be the first one to throw a stone?
OK, I'm not saying what you think I'm saying. I'll get to my point presently, I think.
Now let's take Kim's same reasoning and apply it to your thoughts on war: I can understand the Iraqis' need to be self run. I can understand that they are "small and weak" and we are bullies. I can understand that innocent people are being killed and that it breaks my heart. I can understand that they are a different culture and that they think differently. (I'm being incredibly vague here, s-okay)
We see and understand the enemy. Their sin is either our sin, or very much like it. And if it is a different sin, we still don't want someone to call us on our sins, right? (Although I had no idea that they drank tea...I just don't understand that!) ...And who are we to tell them how to run their country.
It's all relative, isn't it? No, there is a God, and He has something to say about everything, doesn't He? ("neither defending nor opposing President Bush" you understand)
Thursday mornings on College Ave:
I avoided Planned Parenthood for most of the reasons I mentioned above. I had no idea what went on there. Who am I to impose my morality on the :sufferin: of others. I had too much understanding for the sinner, causing me to turn my head and say "peace, peace." When I started going, I was struck with how sinful I am. It was like I was standing naked in the bright sunlight, under a magnifying glass. Thank God that "in Your light, we see light!" How can I call sin sin, when I am a sinner? Aren't we deceived. Let's look to our saviour and love our neighbor...
We as Christians need to get our heads on straight. We need to stop saying we, WE are right. We need to stop saying, well maybe we're not all right, so maybe God didn't really mean that. We need to start knowing what God says and proclaim it boldly, with love and fear and trembling. We need to know that God has something to say about everything and live like it.
Lauren, keep looking at the world like that. Also keep looking for peole like Dr. John and speaking to him in love and fear and trembling. Keep writing about it because it may embolden your brothers and sisters.
Rachel
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