I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't write a page about why I think this war is wrong - dead wrong. I have held fast to the Friends Peace Testi- mony for all my life, at least ever snce I was capable of thinking about the alternative. First of all War is irrational! To resort to fighting in the settlement of international disputes is a stupid and unreasonable method of solving any problem. Regardless of who thinks they are the winner - they lose. The victim just realigns their forces and insists on getting even.
Second, War is immoral! Certainly the time will come when men will recognize that what is morally wrong in an individual cannot be right in a community. To glorify, by the sacred name of patriotism national ideals and actions which flows from them, would be totally unaceptable if found in individuals, is to play fast and loose with the fine equilibrium of our morals.
And now for the most important reason of all. I honestly believe that War is unchristian. The first two reasons why I am opposed to War appeal to the honest minds and tender consciences of humanity, but there is another that is the end of all controversy for the follower of Christ. War is contrary to his example, totally out of line with his teachings and subversive to the principles of His Kingdom.
We undoubtedly would have a difficult time convincing any nation that War is wrong and should be done away with. But we shouldn't have that much trouble persuading any Christian that to have any part in War is to commit treason against his Lord, for he has introduced him to a different order of things than that to which the nations of the world move. He has brought him into a new brotherhood where there is neither Jew nor Gentile, barbarian nor Greek, American nor Japanese, Islamic nor Christian. The walls have been broken down by the Master. The empire of Christ has for it's principle the sacrifice of Divine Love as exemplified on the Cross. On this basis the kingdoms of this world shall become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. All will find their uniting principle in the one center of attraction from which a new order will ensue. He shall teach the nations to learn war no more, because the earth shall be covered with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
The real question for every Christian should be: Do I respond as one of Christ's followers now in the face of evil times or do I wait for a more con- venient season to stand for the principles of that Kingdom Christ presented? Shall I act on them even if I must suffer? Do I have to wait until Christ's principles are universally accepted before I adhere to them? Or should I show that I fully believe in his doctrine by making them the rule of my life now? That is the only question for me and I choose the later!
Written in a spirit of love this December 15, 2001 - Earl J Prignitz
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