What would Jesus do about Iraq?

Category: Americas, Faith & Spirituality Topics: Christianity, Iraq, Mahatma Gandhi, Opinion Views: 5318
5318

Mahatma Gandhi once said that everyone knows what Jesus taught-except for Christians. Sadly, this is far too true for far too many Christians, and especially for those who constitute the Religious Right. Nowhere do we get better evidence of this than when we examine the attitudes of most Christians toward what has been happening in Iraq.

Recently, at Eastern University, I had a debate with Frank Gaffney of the Center for Strategic Studies concerning America's policies for the Middle East. As part of the program, there was an opportunity for questions to be raised from the audience. One of the questions asked was, "If Jesus were determining what America does in Iraq, how would it be different from what America is presently doing there?"

Among the points I tried to make in answering that question, I cited Jesus' teaching that what we would not want others to do to us, we ought not to do to them (Matthew 7:12). Therefore, I explained, "It is safe to say that Jesus would not make torture an acceptable policy in the interrogation of prisoners."

Dr. Gaffney responded to my comments by saying that while he had no expertise in answering this question, in his opinion America has to pursue policies that are practical, suggesting that torture might be a necessary evil in a world in which torturing a prisoner might glean information that could save thousands of lives.

Unfortunately, it was no surprise to me that most of the Christians in the audience agreed with Dr. Gaffney. Practical realities, for them, took precedence over the teachings of Jesus. Gandhi was proved right!

When it comes to war, you don't have to be a Christian to recognize that any reading of the Sermon on the Mount should require followers of Jesus to be non-violent resisters. In this passage of the Christian Bible, Jesus directs his disciples to love their enemies. So far as I am concerned, that undoubtedly means that we shouldn't kill them!

When Jesus preaches that when we are attacked we are to "turn the other cheek," we might not consider that to be a practical thing to do-but then, Jesus never was much for pragmatic solutions to the horrendous problems and threats that we must face in life. When he rejected the kind of justice that prescribes an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, and taught instead that we must return good for evil and overcome evil with good (Matthew 5:38-42) he wasn't fitting into the scheme of realistic politics. But then, Jesus was never into realistic politics. He told his disciples that, unless they were willing to "deny themselves" and be willing to be crucified rather than live contrary to this new ethic he was prescribing, they could not be part of his kingdom (Matthew 10:38).

Even the Apostle Paul, who some liberal theologians contend departed somewhat from the radical ethics of Jesus, supported non-violent resistance. In his Epistle to the Romans, he wrote: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19).

Before these words are written off as unrealistic for foreign policy, consider what might have happened if Christians had embraced them and did for the Iraqi people what Paul suggested that we should have done. For ten years, following the first Gulf War, America placed an embargo on Iraq, and the Red Cross estimates that this embargo affected the food supply and the availability of medicines in that country. This, in turn, was indirectly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children among Iraq's poorest oft he poor.

Suppose Christians of America had done what their Bible told them to do for their enemies. Imagine what might have been if our churches, using their vast resources, had purchased medicines and food for the Iraqi people, shipped them to Jordan, and, from there, transported them to the desperate people in Iraq. Might the invading American soldiers then have been greeted with roses thrown at their feet, as Vice President Cheney had predicted? The Apostle Paul suggested that that kind of response to Saddam Hussein might have brought down that evil dictator. That is what Paul predicted when he said that through such loving acts of kindness we would "bring down coals of fire" on our enemy's head (Romans 12:20).

G. K. Chesterton, the British author, once said, "It is not that Christianity has been tried and failed. It is that it has never been tried."

On the eve of this present war in Iraq, a group of my students, along with some other Christians, decided that their commitment to Jesus required that they should put his teachings into practice in Iraq. They flew to Jordan, hired a couple of vans, and, with limited financial resources, bought some desperately needed medical supplies which they loaded into the vans. They then traveled across the desert to deliver them to the people of Baghdad. When the bombs started to fall on Baghdad, they wanted to be there, volunteering in the hospitals, helping the Iraqi doctors and nurses to do their ministries of healing for the wounded. These young people were able to stay there until the American troops occupied the city. Then they were forced to leave.

As this group of Christian peacemakers traveled back toward Jordan, one of their vans had a blowout on one of its front tires, resulting in a devastating crash. Several of these young heroes needed hospital care. The good news is that some Muslim Iraqis, who were even then engaged in battle and under attack, took these injured Christians to a hospital in a nearby town and arranged care for them without asking for any kind of payment in return. They recognized in these young Christians what their prophet Jesus had taught his disciples about caring for those in need, regardless of who they are.

On another subject, Jesus would have had something to say about capital punishment. When Saddam Hussein was put to death, most of my Evangelical sisters and brothers were horrified at the grisly videos of the hanging that were broadcast on television, but they had little objection to the concept of capital punishment. How do they think that it is possible to reconcile that hanging with Christ's teachings about being merciful? Jesus said: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy" (Matthew 6:7).

Any survey of the Religious Right will reveal that these Christian brothers and sisters support capital punishment more readily than does the general population. Without hesitation, they stood behind the executions that President Bush ordered when he was governor of Texas. The New Testament teaches that it is never too late to repent and to make a commitment to live out the teachings of Jesus, but it should be done now! Our scriptures say: "Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (II Corinthians 6:2).

Jesus taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matthew 5:9). Now is the time for Christians, especially for those fundamentalist Christian brothers and sisters who insist on taking the Bible literally-to literally live out the words of the one whom they call Lord!

Also, it is time for Muslims to give attention to the teachings of the one they acknowledge as "prophet." And for Jews to consider the teachings of the one they themselves call "Rabbi." Of course, this can only happen if Christians begin to obey the commandments of the one who taught us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). 

Anthony Campolo, Ph.D., professor emeritus at Eastern University, is the founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, an organization that develops schools and social programs in various third world countries and in cities across North America. He is the author of thirty-four books, including his most recent two, Letters to a Young Evangelical and The God of Intimacy and Action.

http://www.tikkun.org


  Category: Americas, Faith & Spirituality
  Topics: Christianity, Iraq, Mahatma Gandhi, Opinion
Views: 5318

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Older Comments:
KRIS MACPHERSON FROM MALAYSIA said:
Assalamualaikum and greetings,

In turning back to the author's view ( with respect ) that what if Christians with their vast resources would go into Iraq and help the Iraqis, let me just reply in this manner; Actually resources is the major reason why the U.S. went to Iraq, for the love of oil and not for the love of Christ.

Look, everybody knows it, the politicians at Capitol Hill knows it, the media were aware of it long before, the oil barons in the U.S. knows it better, and recently Alan Greenspan also revealed the same to a CNN interview and his latest book. Oil was and is the reason why U.S. wanted o invade Iraq. But I believe that there are other reasons too, the one which Muslims all knew to well.

Please, to the author and to one Ann Marie in your post, stop trying to be outlandish in your claims. Vast resources and wealth are found in many Muslim Arab countries, these keep the U.S. energy infrastructure going. The only problem is that Muslims rulers in those countries mismanaged and abused this GOD given wealth and in the process they became so willing to be puppets of the political masters in the West.

We don't need resources of any other countries or the charity of Christians. What we need with them are series of good dialogues one of goodwill and understanding in order to find the truth in the Divine. But Muslims are allowed, as decreed by ALAH in the Quran, to defend their faith, homeland, families, properties from threats, that is all so clear.

And all this talk about love and that of Christian charity, well, I'm sure historians who specialized in history of the crusades knows better.

I'll write more Insya ALLAH. Wassalam, Regards,
2007-09-17

ANN MARIE BOS FROM CANADA said:
I give praise to those peacekeepers who helped the Iraqi people. As for the US, they are trying to bring democracy where it isn't wanted. Iraqis's don't want same sex marriage, drug/alcohol abuse, women dressing as prostitutes and legalized gambling. I can say that Islam does have some good strong moral values- and most Christians - follow the Catholic Church and haven't read the full text of the bible that puts the actual Sabbath as Saturday. Thanks for article.
2007-09-16

ANNA FROM USA said:
What the heck is wrong with Christians today. The way they behave, they don't respect Jesus or his teachings at all. I would not be surprised if God's wrath comes soon on the U.S.
2007-09-15

YOHAN DAHAL FROM BHUTAN said:
May the Almighty God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob Pardon my Christian brethren Worldwide in their ignorance and failure. While we are commanded to be the epistles that can be read even by the ignorant fools, we have failed to stand unwavering in the shaking environment. The LORD God Pardon me and my failing brethren for this instability. The LORD desires that we subdue the World and its environment under us. But poor creatures, we have gone to the subjugation of the world and its environment and failed to stand a testimony to His Holy Name. The LORD Pardon me and my fellow brethren the Christians in the World. For, ultimately we are saved, not by the deeds of righteousness we do but by His own Grace. His Grace be up on us.
As regards to receiving battering from the hands, nay also both the feet of the infidels and unbelievers, let me reply that the author of this article, my dear brother Anthony Campolo in the faith has eared to interpret well regarding turning the other cheek. Its not the other cheek. It's the LEFT cheek. Please verify from the following quotation ..."But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also". Matt 5:39. If the left cheek has first been used, there's none other left and spared of the believer. The tolerance limit has been eaten away by the hungry infidels and unbelievers by their first offence. This justifies the instant repayment. Excuse can be granted to the ignorants onlyn not to wilful offenders.

Now, going to the question of how Jesus would determine the role of America in Iraq, in what way it is different from what it should be, The Lord is telling them to preach the Gospel, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, heal the sick, cast out the demon and give freedom freely. If this happens, America's presence will not be a mere shadow in the desert on the day time but their soothing company would comfort the souls of the weary in their rest at nig
2007-09-14

YOHAN DAHAL FROM BHUTAN said:
Dr. Gaffney responded to my question "If Jesus were determining what America does in Iraq, how would it be different from what America is presently doing there?" by saying that while he had no expertise in answering the comment, in his opinion America has to pursue policies that are practical, suggesting that torture might be a necessary evil in a world in which torturing a prisoner might glean information that could save thousands of lives.
In my view, Dr. Gaffney's expressions are sincere as is practically expected. All the high ideals and morals of religious teachings have no meaning unless understood what that rightly means in different situation. After all, the words of God (excepting the Ten Commandments) did not come directly in the form of a language or expression of the people. They came as cries like responses to the contacts to different conditions and surroundings: cries understood in common by people of all tongues subject to that condition and surrounding, cries awaking our consciousness to respond in the same tone. Beside the Ten Commandments which are literal and Spiritual, we are not supposed to take other words literally without understanding the indications.
When I was a child, I often used to hear my grandma grumbling "Those that worship without knowing worship the toilet" in response to the poor care she received in her need and the contentment in my parents even when they lacked to serve her minimum expectations in her need.
2007-09-14

KRIS MACPHERSON FROM MALAYSIA said:
Assalamualaikum and greetings,

This article is certainly out of place. While I respect the author ( whom I presume to be a Christian, but correct me if I'm wrong please ) and his freedom to express his views but again to discuss this and ask views from the readers, then one would find all sorts of polemics of contradictions and differences based on their beliefs.

I am sad to some extent that Muslims would entrapped themselves, in responding to this article. One writer would even say that Jesus ( pbuh ) would be detain in Guatanamo as terrorist or even be hidding in caves. What a way to place Jesus in such perspestive !! How regretful and dispectful.

A true Muslim view is that if Jesus ( Jesus - peace be upon him ) is sent to this world again, then he would speak out the truth, that He is just a messenger of GOD and not a son of anything. He would reveal the original contents of the Bible that there was one last messenger sent after him to perfected the final chapters of the Divine teaching.

Jesus ( Jesus peace be upon him ) would come to confirm the truth and destroy all symbols of falsehood. Then there would be series of battles between Jesus ( Jesus - peace be upon him ) and gogs and maggogs. I'll continue with the rest of my views later.

And to all my Muslim brothers and sisters I have a few piece of advice. Firstly in mentioning Jesus ( pbuh ) we should show reverence and respect AND it should always be Jesus - peace be upon him. That's the right ethics and " adab " in addressing all the messengers of GOD. Secondly don't fall into the trap of anything, the truth is Jesus ( Jesus - peace be upon him ) would be sent down as a saviour to mankind before the last day, and he ( a.s ) would uphold justice and the truth.

Don't fall into a trap of discussing on what Jesus would do in Iraq now or what would likely happened to him.

Be careful Brothers and Sisters.
2007-09-13

AHMAD SIRAJUDIN FROM MALAYSIA said:
All religions say that murder is wrong. If what is happening in Iraq is not murder, what else. Jesus would surely condemn such acts among his followers.
Jesus also condemn robbery. If what is happening in Iraq is not oil robbery or land grab, what else can we call them
2007-09-13

MELODY FROM USA said:
I apologize to my Islamic friends that those of us who take the name of Christ do not love. Forgive me. Forgive us. May Jesus Himself teach me to love like only He knows how.
2007-09-13

SYLVIA HORTON FROM CANADA said:
Salam alaikum,
I found this article interesting. However, I love American history, and also Black history. I have not read in one book where Chirstians really followed the teachings of Jesus Christ. Remember how they slaughtered the Native American? Oh yeah, they even tried to justify slavery by reading something out of the Bible. The Mormons still believe to this day that Blacks are cursed. So do you really expect these people to do right by the Iraqi's?

Fatimah Muhammad
2007-09-13

E. SIDDIQUI FROM USA said:
Based on some of the statements made by some of people in the current leadership in the USA. I am convinced that if Christ Jesus was on Earth here today, more than likely he would be arrested and detained at Guantanamo Bay as an enemey combatant.
2007-09-12

ALEX NODOPAKA FROM USA said:
Dr. Campolo,

Why do you pass the buck?

Why ask questions of absent people when one can ask them from the dozen powers in the process of self-service at this time in Iraq?

AN
2007-09-12

ROMESH CHANDER FROM USA said:
The author writes ".. consider what might have happened if Christians had embraced them and did for the Iraqi people what Paul suggested that we should have done.".

Well, just remember what Christians did to natives in US and the slaves in US. So, why do you expect Iraqis to be treated any differently. One does not run foreign/war policies based on scriptures. Stop being naive; come down to the earth and the real world.

One buys the Bible and then leaves it on the shelf not to be touched again.

What would Jesus do to Iraq/Iraqis? I doubt He would have asked them to become Christians. Probably, he would have asked them to go back to pre-islamic and pre-christian religion -- paganism. Iraqis converted to Christianity and then to Islam. And they have neither been good muslims or good christians. So, Jesus would prefer them to try some their real old religion -- Paganism. There may be something good in it.

Oh, this is going to make muslim blood boil. All I want to do is people to do some deep, deep thinking and stop being self-righteous and stop complaining.
2007-09-12

EVILPENGUIN FROM USA said:
References to Jesus are severely out of place in this article. Every problem that USA seems to have, it created for itself. It goes out of its way to commit genocide, in the name of strategic dominance, and making sure it has full control of most if not all of the worlds resources. This is a nation run by mass murderers, so to talk about 'turn the other cheek' is stomach churching. If Jesus was alive today, he would be hiding in some cave and branded as a terrorist.
2007-09-12