For those of you who don’t read Mark Elrod’s Lame-O Weblog this was a recent post of his regarding a particular religious attitude that I would stretch to say pervades the misinformed minds of many of those who consider themselves New Testament Christians.
I was simultaneously angered, perplexed and then finally amused at this portion of a public prayer offered by a brother in Christ at a worship service yesterday:
“…and if we can’t convert our enemies, we ask that you help us to defeat them.”
I was angered because it seemed to ME to express a sentiment that was inconsistent with the love of Christ, perplexed because I think the idea of God “helping” American troops to kill people was not necessary and amused because I realized that many Christians have been reciting this prayer since the First Crusade.
Moreover, it is cross-cultural — you can use it in a mosque, synagogue or temple.
But I don’t see Jesus ever saying it. I just don’t.
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Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
