What would Jesus bomb? 

I am not a Christian. But I do admire many of the teachings of Christ. He is often called the Prince of Peace because of his many admonitions that we forgive one another.  And he reportedly said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9) Jesus also is recorded as saying, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other one also." (Matthew 5:38-39) And let's not forget, "You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matthew 5 43-45)

The irony of course is that his followers have so often killed, tortured and butchered their enemies, not necessarily in that order. Perhaps they are thinking of another statement Jesus allegedly made: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew, 10:34). He goes on to talk about how he is going to break up families and how we should love Jesus more than members of our families. Like I said, I'm not a Christian.

Of course, Christians are not all bad. In fact, in many ways, most are pretty decent folks. After all, it was Christians who led the abolition movement, and they played a part in launching the nuclear disarmament movement. 

In any case, I find myself living in a nation dominated by a Christian majority, a nation led by a fundamentalist Christian who often invokes God and the Bible in his speeches. And I also find my nation involved in one of the most tragic wars since the end of the Vietnam war. I don't think this is a coincidence. 

The thinking that underlies fundamentalist Christianity, when taken to its logical conclusion, can and does have tragic consequences. For instance, if we believe, as many Christians do, that Israel must be engulfed by war before Jesus can return to earth, then the fact that violence has been sweeping through the Middle East is not a huge concern. In fact, it may just be part of God's plan -- an omen that Jesus may be floating down to earth on the next cloud.

When you believe as I do, that there is no God, then you may feel a little more responsible for what is going on in your world. It's not all part of God's plan; people are to blame. Stupid people. Foolish people. Misguided people. People. 

I just wish some of these people would remember the central teachings of Jesus. Remember what Paul, a disciple of Jesus, wrote to the Romans:  

"Bless your persecutors; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same attitude toward all. Put away ambitious thoughts and associate with those who are lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never repay injury with injury. See that your conduct is honorable in the eyes of all. If possible, live peacefully with everyone. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves; leave that to God's wrath, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay,' says the Lord. But 'If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; by doing this you will heap burning coals upon their heads.' Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good." (Romans 12:14-21)

Dan R. Frazier