[ 홈 ] [ 위로 ] [ 어떤 근거로 전쟁을 거부하는가? ] [ 전쟁은 정의로울 수 있는가? ] [ 히틀러를 제압한 것은 "정의의 전쟁"이 아니었는가? ] [ 그리스도인으로서 우리는 정부에 복종해야 하지 않는가? ] [ 애국심, 의무, 그리고 명예는 어떻게 되는가? ] [ 나는 나 자신, 가족 그리고 나의 재산을 보호할 수 있는가? ] [ 자기 방어를 위하여 무기를 소지할 수 있는가? ] [ 경찰관들에 대해서는? ] [ 예수는 전쟁을 정죄하였는가? ] [ 전쟁은 긍정적인 결과를 가져올 수 있는가? ] [ 모든 사람들이 평화주의가 되어버리면 우리의 원수들이 우리를 정복하지 않겠는가? ] [ 하나님은 전쟁을 용인하고 때로는 전쟁을 보내지 않으시는가? ] [ 평화주의자는 단지 비겁자가 아닌가? ] [ 우리는 군대에 소속해 있는 사람들을 어떻게 보아야 하는가? ] [ 나는 현재 군인이다, 어떻게 해야 하는가? ] [ 과거에 모든 평화주의 운동은 실패하였다, Iranaeic Fellowship은 무엇이 다른가? ] [ 나는 이미 징병 대상 나이를 넘었다, 어떤 조치가 필요한가? ] [ 나는 징병기관에 등록하였는데... 어떻게 하면 좋은가? ]

If everyone became a pacifist wouldn't our enemies conquer us?

만일 모두가 평화주의자가 된다면 우리의 원수들이 우리를 정복하지 않겠는가?

      When the strong lays down his armaments he is always in great danger of attack. This is true because the strong has historically intimidated and dominated the weak. Now that the strong has put aside that which with he has had to control others an opportunity of reprisal presents itself to its former opponents. As an individual cannot escape the penalty for its crimes against man and God, neither can a nation. The strong never should have used its power over the weak in the first place, but because it has in the past is no excuse to continue to do so in the future. If dominance was wrong in the past then it continues to be wrong in the present. We teach our children that there are consequences for their behavior, yet why do we forget this lesson applies to ourselves as well, individually and corporately. 

     It is right to assume one's enemy would take advantage of a person's or nations laying down of arms, especially if the person or nation was particularly cruel and unfair in their dealings. But, what choice is there for the Christian? To continue to dominate others through force of arms? Or, to correct the greatest mistake we ever made in picking up arms in the first place. The former only serves to perpetuate our error, while the latter seeks to end the madness of war and violence.

     Conquering is acceptable as long as it is our nation doing the conquering. We are afraid of being conquered by others for no other reason that it may lower our standard of living. We are so accustomed to our free press (which is heavily biased), freedom of speech (only extended to certain groups), and our high standard of living (50% of income paid in taxes), that we believe it is absolutely necessary that we incinerate any number of cities in order to insure our way of life is left undisturbed. The irony of it is the civilizations that were militaristic (Rome, Babylonian, Greek, Assyrian, etc.), all decayed from within, long before they were conqueredr by other nations. These great empires were destroyed by their enemies because they were grew weak, not militaristically, but weak in their decadence.

     Some nations will only learn peace through being conquered. Until they are defeated, they will continue to wage war, intimidate and destroy their neighbors. In doing so they will be hated by all and will amass enemies who will patiently wait for the opportunity for revenge. No nation, no matter how great, will stand forever. When the mighty fall revenge will be had. It is far better to be to conquered as a pacifist than to defeated as a hated enemy who has grown weak though its decadence. It is far better to sue for peace and make amends while one is strong, than to try for reconciliation when you are easily conquered. 

     There will always be those who will take advantage of the pacifist, but this does not give reason for us to abandon our walk with Christ and join them in their weakness. It is through our example of patience, long suffering, and and personal sacrifice that the world will begin to see the true value of pacifism, Christian or otherwise (for even the unbeliever is no more like Christ than when he lives as He did). Sometimes, the first step in the right direction will be the most difficult of all. To believe we can erase a lifetime of ill behavior against our neighbor in one fell swoop is unreasonable. There may be need for restitution for all the harm we have caused. This is an important step for the pacifist (individual or nation). Redress having been made, you may still be hated. Yet, with this you may bear the pain, and the pain we bear for the crimes of our past is no small  matter.   

The Iranaeic Fellowship of God.
Copyright © 1999 [The Iranaeic Fellowship of God]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 1월 31, 2002