Concerning War

Everybody seems to have an opinion on the impending war with Iraq and possibly North Korea. Opinions abound everywhere you go, especially on the internet. There’s a very loud contingent of the population that is anti-war, which is all well and good. At the heart of the concept and reality of War is life and death and most people don’t want to die or lose anyone close to them. That’s understandable. Unfortunately, in reality, although war can be postponed, it cannot always be avoided altogether. It boils down to communication – and when communication breaks down due to one or both parties either lying or manipulating or generally being uncooperative, whatever issue is at hand has to be resolved, one way or the other. When you have countries and governments with different political and economic issues and agendas, usually diplomacy works…

…then September 11, 2001 happened and the world changed. The United States definitely changed. Suddenly there was a clear and present threat to the lives of every man, woman and child. People handle such threats in different ways but suddenly, it was on the shoulders of the U.S. Government and the U.S. President to uphold their first and foremost sworn duty: to safeguard the lives of this country's citizens.

Do I agree with every step that’s been taken, the laws enacted, the freedoms affected? No, I don’t. I am sure there will be political and social fallout for decades concerning the issues raised by the Patriot Act and other government measures and policies.

Decisions had to be made, though, and they were made, for better or worse. Time will tell and history will either exonerate or condemn the policymakers.

But at the heart of this whole controversy is the most important issue of all, something that I feel had been taken for granted by many in this country for far too long:

Life and Death.

How we live is important; it’s more important than how we die because it’s inevitable that we’re all going to die someday.

Many of you know I’m a Christian and I’m not going to apologize for that. I’d like to end this particular blog entry with some scripture from the King James Bible that I think is relevant to this topic.

Matthew 24: 3 - 14

And as he sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these are the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Best Wishes,
Allen