Search found 14395 matches

by Bootstrap
Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:23 pm
Forum: General Theology
Topic: Why aren't Mennonites Constantinian?
Replies: 66
Views: 1682

Re: Why aren't Mennonites Constantinian?

There are two kingdoms; St. Augustine is the best orator on this topic with his book The City of God . I do not think, though, that humans are universally incapable of participating in the kingdom of God when they participate in civil hierarchical structures. As an example of this, I present the Ru...
by Bootstrap
Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:05 pm
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

Shouldn't Christians be angry and distressed when people are treated this way? Yes. But the problem is that it's popular for people to demand that you are angry and distressed, and express that on social media, about whatever is currently dominating the news. Sometimes that may be the leading of th...
by Bootstrap
Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:28 pm
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

In practical application, there isn’t any way to do this without politics and I’m happy to pray for the suffering. I’m not going to get involved with politics over the latest injustices occurring all over the world every day. In practical application, I think this affects the way we should talk abo...
by Bootstrap
Thu Mar 28, 2024 1:59 pm
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

And yet, even when most nations cry out against this kind of evil ... sometimes we are the ones who cannot. Where is our outrage and compassion for these victims? Where is our voice? Our outrage? Why should we have outrage over any of this? Compassion yes. I think Jesus did express outrage over the...
by Bootstrap
Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:57 am
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

Historically it's been powerful nations with wealth and technology who set the rules of war in a way that favors their preferred method of fighting. Or more specifically, enforce whatever rules favoring their own empires. And yet, even when most nations cry out against this kind of evil ... sometim...
by Bootstrap
Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:55 am
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

I agree. But the rules can be a kind of litmus test, a way of clearly seeing that something has gone way beyond what is acceptable. Both Israel and Hamas are after retribution. There is no way to justify the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th. There is no way to justify what Israel is doing now ...
by Bootstrap
Thu Mar 28, 2024 7:40 am
Forum: Announcements and Introductions
Topic: Can we make MN less hostile?
Replies: 605
Views: 68035

Re: Can we make MN less hostile?

Disciple of Christ wrote: Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:58 am BTW is it possible to ban other users of this group so that they can no longer read anything you post?
No. You can set it up so you do not see their posts, but not the other way around.
by Bootstrap
Wed Mar 27, 2024 5:15 pm
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

Which sounds familiar to the Gaza War logic. Hamas is a death cult too. And Israel thinks that this war will somehow reduce deaths in the long run if they can win totally. Point being, when the stakes are high enough, the rules erode. When the stakes are low, rules can be afforded. It’s good when t...
by Bootstrap
Tue Mar 26, 2024 9:52 am
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

I don’t know if it is cynicism or callousness. Maybe hopeless. Maybe acceptance. It's a decision to not hunger and thirst for righteousness, a decision to not mourn what really should be mourned, a decision to justify truly horrible things and let one side off the hook - but not the other side. I d...
by Bootstrap
Mon Mar 25, 2024 4:04 pm
Forum: Current Events
Topic: War in Gaza
Replies: 313
Views: 63806

Re: War in Gaza

Perhaps we could use examples like Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Dresden to make Ken's point. These are all widely condemned actions by the United States. We killed LOTS of civilians. 70,000 in Hiroshima, 40,000 in Nagasaki, 25,000 in Dresden. Israel killing 30,000+ people in Gaza is on this same scale. ...