Posted by
Chris Hardwick on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 11:34:34 AM
Re: United Methodist Council of Bishops Resolution on the Iraq War
United Methodist Council of Bishops:
My wife and I are Methodist and we love our church. We were watching our local news last Tuesday night when we saw that you called for “full withdrawal of all military personnel from Iraq.” This just happened to come out two days after Veteran's Day. Coincidence? Hmmm.
We were both stunned! Our son served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 to help in liberating the Iraqi people from evil (terrorists). For one, you, Council of Bishops, don't give any consideration to the Blue Star Families who hear these words, those who have loved ones in combat zones. How do you think your Council makes the Blue Star United Methodist Church (UMC) members feel? Like their church was behind them? No! And what about the Gold Star Families, those who lost loved ones in Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War in Afghanistan? How do you think your Resolution makes them feel? Do they think the United Methodist Church is behind them now? No!
“We believe war is incompatible with the teachings and example of Christ.” Are you kidding me? So when evil starts spreading in the world and even lands on our own soil, we should embrace that evil? Let's give 'em a hug. Is that what Christ wants us to do? No! He wants us to defend people or a nation of people who can’t defend themselves against that evil. That is what Christ wants us to do. There are a lot of people in the United States who think being a Christian is a sign of weakness and the attack on Christianity here in the U.S. is because Christians are expected to roll over. And your Resolution sure makes a good case for that here.
Your Resolution is weak. You do not represent me, my wife and my family as Christians, as United Methodists or as Citizens of the United States. Your Council does not represent us in any way. If your signature is on the “United Methodist Council of Bishops Resolution on the Iraq War,” you are an embarrassment to me as a Methodist and a Christian. As one World War Two Veteran put it on this past Veteran’s Day, “You can’t be against the war and for the troops.” Ask any Veteran.
I hope people give their local UMC pastor or bishop a call.
Best Regards