Prayer Missiles

[eggwards]

I've never understood the song "Onward Christian Soldiers", a staple of my boring Methodist upbringing. The whole concept of it seems dated, trying to relate the saving of others to a battle. It probably worked well in times where war was more of a fact of life, and it was a way for people to associate an action to a concept.

Nowadays, it just seems wrong. I can't associate the two acts, war and love together. It appears that many so-called good Christians can, though.

To be held up for your inspection is my cousin, Ellen. Ellen's is a fundamentalist Catholic. She wasn't always, but her jerk-ass of a husband made it so. She is a housewife, with the kids, and she has nothing better to do than take in the Word of the Lord, and send out a ton of email forwards to everyone she knows.

She has personally emailed me (I haven't seen nor talked with her in years) that she feels all Muslims should die. I called her on her intolerance (and hate, but I didn't say that) and she said she had never met a Muslim, but they're all bad. Never met a Muslim, and she lives in Chicago. Right.

So, on the eve of war yesterday, she sends a forward that's from a church in Tulsa (no surprise there). Apparently they feel we're in a holy war. (Or should that be Holy War^TM?)

They don't want to pray for the troops, they want to pray for the destruction of Iraq and it's citizens. Taking a page from the battle of Jerico, they believe they know how to defeat the very bad, bad Muslims...

(I kid you not from the actual email...)

"By prayer. Let us be sending in "prayer missiles" -- cruise and scud
prayers to target enemy plans. Patriot prayers to shoot down
incoming threats."

Prayer missiles. Again, an "image" that troubles me to no end.

Once again, a religion of peace being used to justify war. And my cousin can't make the connection of how hypocritical this is. Grow up.

Comments

[xanaducub.livejournal.com]

I am not your model protestant. I have not been to church in a very long time. But I do still hold close my beliefs in right and wrong.

It is a shame whan people feel that mass destruction is a good thing. I just wish we could all just get along.

[chinacub.livejournal.com]

Geez. Can you tell her that Iraq is pretty much a secular state, that Bin Laden called Hussein an "infidel", and that this war will probably result in an increase in religious fanaticism there?

I also don't understand how true Christians can pray that the 6th Commandment be violated.

Prayer missles?

[randomcub.livejournal.com]

Oy.

[dakoopst.livejournal.com]

Amen, amen and amen.

My reply to this...

[ilorsodirettore.livejournal.com]

I started a reply, but it became really long, so I posted it on my page. Please check it out, and feel free to share it.

[kev-bot.livejournal.com]

God is a bullet.

[thatfatboy.livejournal.com]

If I may toss in my 2 cents.



Onward Christian Solders is about fighting evil (Spiritual Evil or Sin -- however you want to look at it). It takes the armor of God concept to a new level, that the church as a collective (being one body) should all become warriors placing Jesus before them in their spiritual battles. Like most christian things, it is a great concept, but people will twist it to achieve an agenda.

That being said... those that pray for the death of others must have 0% comprehension of the parables of Christ. They must not know much of forgivness.



I am astounded that people are actually praying for death. Simply horrible.