Comments on: Astronomers calculate Jesus born June 17, not December 25

By: libertarianvegan

libertarianvegan — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 23:30:13 +0000

Actually, I prefer the Christian Just War theory, notably discussed by St. Thomas Aquinas, among others.
This has six criteria -
1. War should only be fought in self-defense;
2. War should only be the last resort after every other option is exhausted
3. War can only be undertaken by a legitimate authority
4. All military responses must be proportional to the threat;
5. There must be a reasonable chance of success
6. All parties concerned must be publicly notified

Just to take one of those points, in the United States, legitimate authority to go to war rests with a declaration of war by Congress. Since the U.S. has not declared war since WWII, every war since then (call it what you want, “police action”=war) has been illegal and cannot be considered just. The Iraq war fails to meet nearly all of those qualifications.

By: csc5502

csc5502 — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:49:48 +0000

Ah, now we have “unjust” added to the mix of the “America is evil” for daring to defend itself. By the way, you do know that wars are always murderous, not just the “unjust” ones the U.S. has fought, right?

Please define a “just” and non-murderous war that you approve of. Since you feel America fights “unjust” wars, you obviously have an idea in mind of what you consider to be a “just” war.

http://poorrepublican.today.com/

By: libertarianvegan

libertarianvegan — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:16:49 +0000

I certainly do not see Christianity as the only religion that has incited wars and violence - but it is definitely at the top of the list. I do not defend anyone who uses any religion as a justification for violence.

Of all religions, I fall closest to Buddhism, as the Dalai Lama himself has said that all Buddhist scriptures must be analyzed with reason and logic, and those that cannot stand up to such a going over, must be rejected as literal. The great majority of Christians I have met believe the Bible is actually the true word of God and interpret it literally, which is very dangerous if you actually take the time to read the entire thing and not cherry pick from it.

The Dalai Lama regularly and forcefully speaks out against violence and war, that is much closer to Jesus’ message than what comes out of the mouth of the Pope. He could have rallied his millions of followers to stop the unjust and murderous wars the U.S. has undertaken, but he has not.

By: csc5502

csc5502 — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 05:20:01 +0000

Right, and all you have to do is assume that the Star of Bethlehem was a light that could be traced to a physical body that could then be calculated by software, which is programmed by people who generally already think they’re God.

On the plus side, at least they’re finally admitting He existed, which quite a few people keep trying to DENY with various “studies” and “calculations.”

On the “Jesus’ message of peace” bit…you guys never give up do you? Wars have been fought since the beginning of time over lots of things, including religion, but it’s always the Christians who are somehow evil hypocrites because some of us don’t take everything lying down. Being blown up by followers of the “religion of peace” is an excellent example.

And I bet if you, how “practice the message of love and kindness to all beings” would find your convictions a little harder to espouse if someone attacked you or your family..or God forbid…your dog.