Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so. Proverbs 2:27
Of all that is said about the war in Iraq, the majority of it is bad. I would however like to offer another perspective, one that is seldom considered. But let me say this first; All wars are evil but not everyones involvement in them is evil.
In America we cling to these words in the Declaration of Independence;
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
However it seems to me that we read the "all men" part as "all Americans" But I would argue that this statement, because it is grounded in creation, applies to all human beings. Even Iraqis.
Why do I raise this point? Because we as Americans tend to be isolationists, we are fat and happy, to bad about the rest of the world, good luck! seems to be our attitude. We don't want to get involved and pay the price to ensure that all men are free, when it is in our power to do good to our neighbor. I'm sure we all know the story of the good Samaritan. For those who don't, it may be found in Luke 10:25-37. Take the time to read that discourse because my argument rest on it and Proverbs 2:27. As a side note in the story of the good Samaritan. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews. In fact the Jews would go way out of their way to avoid walking through Samaria. So don't let the fact that this is a Jew being helped by a Samaritan, escape your attention. Verses 36-37 are my main point however, 36 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Most people don't know that if the borders of Iraq could be sealed, all violence would cease. What we are dealing with here is a group of fellow human beings who are living under tyranny and oppression from forces outside. These are people like you and me, with the same wants and desire. Human beings with certain unalienable rights endowed to them by their creator. However, some people don't think so and wish to bring them into submission to their desires. It's like the schoolyard bully only on a national level.
So my question is this, do we have a moral obligation to help our neighbor, our fellow human beings liberate themselves from tyranny and oppression when it is within our power to do so?
When I see Iraqis holding up their purple thumbs because they can now vote, when I hear of schools and hospitals being built, girls being allowed to go to school for the first time, Iraqis coming out of hiding and joining the police force and military, small business owners opening up their shops again, Iraqis coming out of hiding and turning over insurgents, I see a people who love freedom and peace as much as we do. I see a people who are grateful that we came to help them.
I'm afraid that we as Americans are a very self-centered people, just consider all the self-help material that's available to us. We spend thousands to comfort and please ourselves, consider the Super-Bowl. We have no trouble spending on things that have a direct benefit for us. Yes, we are the most generous nation in the world as of right now, but that is fading fast. Convenience and comfort have become our gods and we sacrifice joyfully at their alters. When our creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, asks us to give to our neighbor with no expectation of return, we shrug off our responsibility and turn a blind eye to the suffering all around us.
So yes, the war has cost us and that cost has been heavy, but the cost didn't concern the Samaritan, he was willing to pay it on behalf of his neighbor with no expectation of return. I firmly believe that it is wiser to pay a small price now, than a much greater one later. If we save the lives of hundreds of thousands at the cost of several thousand, than it was worth it. This is the "bloody arithmetic" that won the civil war here and gained liberty for all men and women who call America their home.
So do we cower in the face of evil because it might cost us our very lives. Our do we put it down at great cost to ourselves because we understand the gravity of what is at stake. Are we the good Samaritan who does good to his neighbor when it is within our power to do so, regardless of cost?
"All it takes for evil to succeed, is for good men to do nothing." -Anonymous
In America we cling to these words in the Declaration of Independence;
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
However it seems to me that we read the "all men" part as "all Americans" But I would argue that this statement, because it is grounded in creation, applies to all human beings. Even Iraqis.
Why do I raise this point? Because we as Americans tend to be isolationists, we are fat and happy, to bad about the rest of the world, good luck! seems to be our attitude. We don't want to get involved and pay the price to ensure that all men are free, when it is in our power to do good to our neighbor. I'm sure we all know the story of the good Samaritan. For those who don't, it may be found in Luke 10:25-37. Take the time to read that discourse because my argument rest on it and Proverbs 2:27. As a side note in the story of the good Samaritan. The Samaritans were despised by the Jews. In fact the Jews would go way out of their way to avoid walking through Samaria. So don't let the fact that this is a Jew being helped by a Samaritan, escape your attention. Verses 36-37 are my main point however, 36 "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Most people don't know that if the borders of Iraq could be sealed, all violence would cease. What we are dealing with here is a group of fellow human beings who are living under tyranny and oppression from forces outside. These are people like you and me, with the same wants and desire. Human beings with certain unalienable rights endowed to them by their creator. However, some people don't think so and wish to bring them into submission to their desires. It's like the schoolyard bully only on a national level.
So my question is this, do we have a moral obligation to help our neighbor, our fellow human beings liberate themselves from tyranny and oppression when it is within our power to do so?
When I see Iraqis holding up their purple thumbs because they can now vote, when I hear of schools and hospitals being built, girls being allowed to go to school for the first time, Iraqis coming out of hiding and joining the police force and military, small business owners opening up their shops again, Iraqis coming out of hiding and turning over insurgents, I see a people who love freedom and peace as much as we do. I see a people who are grateful that we came to help them.
I'm afraid that we as Americans are a very self-centered people, just consider all the self-help material that's available to us. We spend thousands to comfort and please ourselves, consider the Super-Bowl. We have no trouble spending on things that have a direct benefit for us. Yes, we are the most generous nation in the world as of right now, but that is fading fast. Convenience and comfort have become our gods and we sacrifice joyfully at their alters. When our creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, asks us to give to our neighbor with no expectation of return, we shrug off our responsibility and turn a blind eye to the suffering all around us.
So yes, the war has cost us and that cost has been heavy, but the cost didn't concern the Samaritan, he was willing to pay it on behalf of his neighbor with no expectation of return. I firmly believe that it is wiser to pay a small price now, than a much greater one later. If we save the lives of hundreds of thousands at the cost of several thousand, than it was worth it. This is the "bloody arithmetic" that won the civil war here and gained liberty for all men and women who call America their home.
So do we cower in the face of evil because it might cost us our very lives. Our do we put it down at great cost to ourselves because we understand the gravity of what is at stake. Are we the good Samaritan who does good to his neighbor when it is within our power to do so, regardless of cost?
"All it takes for evil to succeed, is for good men to do nothing." -Anonymous
5 comments:
Oh, I'm sorry. I thought the reason we went into iraq was because they were a growing threat. You remember WMDs? As far as foreign militants entering Iraq consider that we did the Iraqis the favor of inviting them there. "There are those who think that conditions are such that they can attack us there [Iraq] My answer is bring 'em on" ~George W. Bush
You must be familiar with the rationale that we are fighting them "over there" so we don't have to fight them "over here"
The rationale for the war in Iraq has changed from "Averting Growing Threat" to "regime change" and now to "spreading freedom"
These descriptions of the reasons for our being there have not changed because the reasons changed but in order to garner greater public support for the unconsitutional illegal occupation. Operation Iraqi Liberation (OIL) is so Orwellian it's scary
Well not sure if you will post my comment or not but here it goes. #1 first and foremost reason I'm against the war, it was decided by one man (dictator) to go to war. It was not done by Congress and by the will of the people. #2 Iraq never threatened us and never vowed to come after us.#3 I work for the military industrial complex, many returning soliders coming home say we have should never have done what we did.#4 As for your argument of being a good samaritan and helping neighbors is fine, but we didn't help the Iraq people by destroying all their farms and then turning them into poppy farms just like we did in Afghanistan. This is a fact. #5 last but definitely not least, we have stuck a stick in the wasp nest and have created even more terrorists by our actions; add that to the fact our leaders (?) say we need to fight them over there and yet they have no intention of preventing over 10,000 people a day from pouring over our borders here. We live with this violence every day. I for one I'm not buying the MSM propaganda machine. I support our troops and their families. Let's close the over 130 bases in other countries and spend that money restoring our country.Let's take that savings and take care of our veterans who are getting shafted by the government they fought for. 1 out of 4 vets are living on the streets. Yep, I'm one of the tin hatted Ron Paul supporters. We have a lot of work to do here and we should take the Christian example of leading my example. We can't try to force people to be just when we aren't a just nation. We can't say we are pro-life and then condone the mass murder of thousands of children. Lastly, a statement by Ayn Rand. "Without individual rights no public good is possible" Peace and Love, Love is the greatest commandment.
Claudia,
You make several factual errors in your response. Foremost is the fact that Congress did vote to go to war, that is a matter of public records.
As for the claim of "dictator" consider the fact the President has 200 appointees unconfirmed by the senate, some for over two years.
Although you may disagree with his policies, though not for sound reasons, you should at least have respect for the office.
Also in regards creating more terrorist, 911 happened before we invaded Iraq. They existed prior to our action and will increase if we don't act.
atypician,
The vote to go to war was based on very reliable intelligence reports, again a matter of public record that can easily be read. The reason no WMDs were found is because Sudam knew we were coming and moved them into Syria. He was quite adapt at evasion, He'd being doing it for years with the UN
My point still stands however, however wrong or right our motivations for going to war, a greater good was served and the Iraqis are greatfull for it.
Robert,
I whole heartedly agree. Since Americans are so well off here and we have more freedoms that just two generations ago it is surprising that more people wouldn't want the kind of freedom we have.
Imagine you don't have to carry any papers in your car and you have the right to do what you choose. if you want to go for a long ride for 3 or 5 years you don't have to worry about filing papers to indicate a residence.
Just the fact that your property can't be seized by the state for tax gains is an incredible leap forward not to mention how soundly everyone sleeps knowing their house is their castle and police don't do late night raids in increasing numbers at 2 and 3am in the morning.
Aren't you fortunate to leave in America and not have to worry about Natalie having a shotgun or automatic weapon to her face because your neighbors are being raided for drugs and they get the wrong address.
Yes, I agree we have it so "fat and happy" here it is amazing. Just yesterday they repealed the law that could throw you in jail for no drivers license and crush your car.
What a country!
I noticed no one so war has objected to the fact that a greater good was served, in spite of the circumstances surrounding the situation.
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