A Young American in Uniform on War and Peace
By Lindis Y. Webb, Feb 15, 2005

Background: A young American in uniform Lindis Y. Webb responds to another young American who defended Bush's rush to war by saying "you have to break eggs to make an omelet" and also insisted that Bush's policies emulate Jesus' teachings.

What gets me concerning your argument about the War in Iraq is that we soldiers are merely eggs to you. Simply, that is your privilege given to you by the blood of mere "eggs" as you so eloquently put it. Although I go disagree with the argument that Jesus Christ was a Hippy, I argue that Christ is a classical example of a radical liberal.

As for your argument that you read the scriptures, such is the interpretation of the scriptures. Christ is the opposite of Republican Conservative ideals, to support this argument, look at the Republican Party's stance concerning education, inner-city development, the distribution of wealth. Typically, Republican policy supports the wealthy, does not target fighting poverty, distribution of equal rights concerning women and minorities, as well as being a contradiction to its own stance.

An example is abortion, using the Christian faith to manipulate people into saying, "we are pro-choice," yet these same advocates of "Pro-Life" concerning Christianity support the death penalty. In Luke, Christ states, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Do you not think maybe he was talking about greed, I mean after all, Christ knew what lay ahead.

In Mathew, Christ states, "You cannot serve both God and Money."And "Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." Again in Luke, Christ states, "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

Yet, Republicans will argue they are pro-Christian, the funny thing is they hang the religious carrot around election time, and then forget all their ideals. People who question their policies are labeled as being enemies to the state, being against the nation, and supporting terrorism. This is a classic example of turning the people into sheep, into tools, and into a means of maintaining absolute power.

Yes, sheep, that's all people, are to the Republican Party. That's all soldiers are to the Republican Party. I ask you one thing, enlist or get commissioned into the US Military, become an egg, and appreciate the value of being a volunteer pawn.

But, I would gladly fight to assure your ability to call us "eggs." To call my dead brothers and sisters the bi-product of making an omelet is a privileged argument for arrogant. Take care, my brother, and I assure you when the time is right, your lack of insight into the ideals of Jesus Christ will be realized. Take care,

From the website: http://www.jesusisaliberal.org/

"Webster's dictionary defines a Liberal as one who is open minded, not strict in the observance of orthodox, traditional or established forms or ways. Jesus was a pluralist Liberal who taught that one need not conform to strict and orthodox views of God, religion, and life. He rejected greed, violence, the glorification of power, the amassing of wealth without social balance, and the personal judging of others, their lifestyles and beliefs.

Over and over again, He taught us to believe in and live a spiritual and ethical life based in our essential, inherent goodness. What Jesus promoted was succinct set of spiritual principals and a way of life based upon the love of, compassion, tolerance, and a strong belief in the importance in giving and of generosity to those in need.

While not Biblical scholars, our common sense understanding of His lessons as philosophically and politically Liberal is founded upon Jesus' own words (see quotes below), modern interpretations of Liberation Theology, and in the positive, loving and compassionate application of His teachings - from the many early Saints to Mother Theresa and Liberation Theology.

Certainly, Jesus brought a radically Liberal theology to the Orthodox believers of his time. Jesus IS a Liberal even today because now more than ever, His principals align with the very core of Liberal Beliefs

Scripture for the socially conscious:

Peacemaking, not War Making: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [Matthew 5:9]

Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [Matthew 5:39]

I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you; [Matthew 5:44]

Concerning the Death Penalty: Thou shalt not kill [Matthew 5:21]

Crime and Punishment: If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to cast a stone at her. [John 8:7] Do not judge, lest you too be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [Matthew 7:1 & 2.]

Justice: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [Matthew 5:6]

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy [Matthew 5:7] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [Matthew 6:15]

Corporate Greed and the Religion of Wealth: In the temple courts [Jesus] found men selling cattle, sheep and doves and other sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. [John 2:14 & 15.]

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. [Luke 12.15.]

Truly, I say unto you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 19:23]

You cannot serve both God and Money. [Matthew 6:24.]

Paying Taxes & Separation of Church & State: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. [Matthew 22:21]

 Love your neighbor as yourself. [Matthew 22:39]

So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you. [Matthew 7:12.]

If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. [Matthew 19:21]

Equality & Social Programs: But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. [Luke 14:13 &14.]

Public Prayer & Displays of Faith: And when thou pray, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. But thou, when thou pray, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret… [Matthew 6:6 & 7]

Strict Enforcement of Religious Laws: If any of you has a son or a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? [Matthew 12:11]

The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. [Mark 2:27.]

Individuality & Personal Spiritual Experience: Ye are the light of the world. [Matthew 5:14]

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