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Following Jesus in nonviolent struggle for justice and peace, we love our neighbors and enemies as God loves us all, becoming a peace church to share in Gods work to save the world.

Pray for Peace, Pay for War?

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Are we praying for peace and paying for war? Do we think as much about paying taxes for war as we complain about paying taxes in general?
In several weeks most Americans will pay their annual income tax. Today I want to raise a question in this space: Should we be conscientious objectors to war taxes, if we are conscientious objectors to war? Next week I'll say more about this.

John K. Stoner jstoner@ecapc.org

Comments

Shortly after taking the position, the previous Bishop of our synod asked all congregations to remove the American flag from the alter area. It wasn't meant to disrespect the flag. It was meant to say we are here in church to worship only one. I am not sure why I bring that up for this post except that it seems like Christians have learned to put political views ahead of Christian teachings yet somehow justify the political view via Christianity. The flag won't get you into heaven.
There are members of the church that bristle if after praying for our troops you add a prayer for the people of Iraq or Afghanistan. Mark Twains 'War Prayer' could actually be prayed in some of Americas churches.
The American people are willing to pay for war as long as we are winning. Christians have bought into the fear manipulation to the point where you can talk to a Christian about world and domestic affairs and the term fear or afraid will come up repeatedly. For this I blame the clergy for whom the calling is to a paycheck. The result being they maintain complicit silence.

Posted by: Rick

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