Freethought & Rationalism Archive

motorhead · 03-25-2003, 07:16 AM

For believers and non-believers: Bush said he and his wife prayed for the coalition troops. Shouldn't he also pray for the Iraqi military including Saddam Hussein? Doesn't the Bible command believers to love their enemies? Does Bush love Saddam Hussein in the Biblical sense? I could see where Bush might say that he loves Saddam but hates his actions. So Bush might say that he loves Saddam (the sinner) but hates his actions (sins). How are believers to relate to their enemies? Should they kill those whose sins they interpret as being very grave (as in the case of Saddam)? Is Bush meting out "justice" in the name of Jesus/Yahweh? Is it his right to do so? My understanding is that the NT commands believers to let Yahweh judge people in the afterlife, and that they are not to do the judging. Thoughts?

Rhea · 03-25-2003, 07:27 AM

I agree with the disconnect from what I know of the bible and the words of christians.

Calling Saddam "the evil one" and "that man" and "the dictator" are all indicative of hating the SINNER, not just the SIN.

Yes, his prayer should extend to the Iraqi soldiers (and their families) after all Bush earlier told them to not follow "the dictator" and told all of us that they were going to surrender quickly because Saddam did not have any domestic support outside of the Republican guard.

His lack of prayers for the Iraqi families is a telling statement about his actual level of compassion (= zero) and belief in their destinay apart from Saddam.

Bush gets less an less human - and less and less christian with every passing day, doesn't he?

Jamie_L · 03-25-2003, 07:35 AM

Quote:

O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle-be Thou near them! With them, in spirit, we also go forth from the sweet peace of our beloved firesides to smite the foe. O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead; help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief; help us to turn them out roofless with their little children to wander unfriended the wastes of their desolated land in rags and hunger and thirst, sports of the sun flames of summer and the icy winds of winter, broken in spirit, worn with travail, imploring Thee for the refuge of the grave and denied it-for our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it, in the spirit of love, of Him Who is the Source of Love, and Who is ever-faithful refuge and friend of all that are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen.

From The War Prayer, by Mark Twain

Demigawd · 03-25-2003, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rhea
Bush gets less an less human - and less and less christian with every passing day, doesn't he?

I disagree about the christian part. I imagine Bush believes that if Saddam is killed before he repents his sins to God, the poor Iraqi president is doomed to Hell. Righteous judgement from God, you see. And since King George II sees himself as the right arm of God these days, all the better his sovereign nation is the one threatening Saddam and his flunkies with eternal punishment.

christ-on-a-stick · 03-26-2003, 10:03 AM

I haven't heard Bush offer any prayers for the Iraqi people that have been/will be killed "accidentally" either - for the children left without parents, parents losing their children, etc. Better to ignore it and hope people don't notice.

03-25-2003, 07:16 AM	#1
motorhead Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Land of Make Believe Posts: 781	The Prayers of Bush For believers and non-believers: Bush said he and his wife prayed for the coalition troops. Shouldn't he also pray for the Iraqi military including Saddam Hussein? Doesn't the Bible command believers to love their enemies? Does Bush love Saddam Hussein in the Biblical sense? I could see where Bush might say that he loves Saddam but hates his actions. So Bush might say that he loves Saddam (the sinner) but hates his actions (sins). How are believers to relate to their enemies? Should they kill those whose sins they interpret as being very grave (as in the case of Saddam)? Is Bush meting out "justice" in the name of Jesus/Yahweh? Is it his right to do so? My understanding is that the NT commands believers to let Yahweh judge people in the afterlife, and that they are not to do the judging. Thoughts?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

03-25-2003, 07:27 AM	#2
Rhea Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Recluse Posts: 9,040	I agree with the disconnect from what I know of the bible and the words of christians. Calling Saddam "the evil one" and "that man" and "the dictator" are all indicative of hating the SINNER, not just the SIN. Yes, his prayer should extend to the Iraqi soldiers (and their families) after all Bush earlier told them to not follow "the dictator" and told all of us that they were going to surrender quickly because Saddam did not have any domestic support outside of the Republican guard. His lack of prayers for the Iraqi families is a telling statement about his actual level of compassion (= zero) and belief in their destinay apart from Saddam. Bush gets less an less human - and less and less christian with every passing day, doesn't he?

03-26-2003, 10:03 AM	#5
christ-on-a-stick Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 7,116	I haven't heard Bush offer any prayers for the Iraqi people that have been/will be killed "accidentally" either - for the children left without parents, parents losing their children, etc. Better to ignore it and hope people don't notice.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.