Dear Editor,
In today's enlightened world mankind is still faced with the question of violence and killing for the preservation of what many consider to be the will of God. There are some things that are not debatable, like the fact that the complex, precise, exceedingly scientific, advanced technology that allows for the existence of the universe is not by accident, but by planning of God.
If, therefore, there is a great God who created the universe, what is his take on those who kill in his name? I am not worthy to speak on behalf of God, but I suppose if he were to say anything to us it would be along these lines: "If you believe that I am God, and there is no other, and if you believe that I am so great that you are willing to die for me, why is it so hard for you to believe that if I wished to kill anyone, for anything, I would not just do it?"
People who believe in God or Allah believe that God is the greatest, the one. Perhaps one needs to pause a while and ponder on that. He is the beginning and the end, the everything. He needs nothing. For the many who truly believe in an all-powerful God it must be clear that God doesn't need anyone to bomb a plane or kill anyone for him. He can give and take life if he so wishes. In such light, it can be considered an insult to suggest that such a powerful being requires simple men to kill for him.
The God of the Bible (John 1: 1), Jesus Christ, taught that love is the ingredient that will bring order to the world. That love, according to Christ, is love for God and love for mankind (Matthew 22: 36-40).
The people of the West, through their laws and structures of government, have had as the foundation of their laws the spirit of what is contained in God's commandments. It is such structures that have led to civility, order, and the levels of prosperity that many from the East are rushing towards.
Again, I cannot speak on behalf of God, but I can suggest that God's greatest gift to mankind is the free will to do as he pleases. One hopes that we utilise this gift to love each other and make this world a better place. That is the greatest tribute one can pay to our father, the father of the universe.
Steve Alvarez
bilcoa@hotmail.com
Is it OK to kill for God?
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In today's enlightened world mankind is still faced with the question of violence and killing for the preservation of what many consider to be the will of God. There are some things that are not debatable, like the fact that the complex, precise, exceedingly scientific, advanced technology that allows for the existence of the universe is not by accident, but by planning of God.
If, therefore, there is a great God who created the universe, what is his take on those who kill in his name? I am not worthy to speak on behalf of God, but I suppose if he were to say anything to us it would be along these lines: "If you believe that I am God, and there is no other, and if you believe that I am so great that you are willing to die for me, why is it so hard for you to believe that if I wished to kill anyone, for anything, I would not just do it?"
People who believe in God or Allah believe that God is the greatest, the one. Perhaps one needs to pause a while and ponder on that. He is the beginning and the end, the everything. He needs nothing. For the many who truly believe in an all-powerful God it must be clear that God doesn't need anyone to bomb a plane or kill anyone for him. He can give and take life if he so wishes. In such light, it can be considered an insult to suggest that such a powerful being requires simple men to kill for him.
The God of the Bible (John 1: 1), Jesus Christ, taught that love is the ingredient that will bring order to the world. That love, according to Christ, is love for God and love for mankind (Matthew 22: 36-40).
The people of the West, through their laws and structures of government, have had as the foundation of their laws the spirit of what is contained in God's commandments. It is such structures that have led to civility, order, and the levels of prosperity that many from the East are rushing towards.
Again, I cannot speak on behalf of God, but I can suggest that God's greatest gift to mankind is the free will to do as he pleases. One hopes that we utilise this gift to love each other and make this world a better place. That is the greatest tribute one can pay to our father, the father of the universe.
Steve Alvarez
bilcoa@hotmail.com
Is it OK to kill for God?
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