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A forum for discussing matters of moment, from a curmudgeonly perspective. (The ideas posted here do not necessarily represent those of any organization with which I am a part). Rude and insulting remarks will not be published, but civil disagreement is welcome.
4 comments:
I think it's interesting that this strategy actually looks more Republican than Democrat. A purely Democratic strategy would be full-out and immediate withdrawal. But what we have here is a surge with troops, urging of NATO and other countries to boost troop and support levels, pressure on Afghanistan AND Pakistan governments for ownership fighting terrorism, and bipartisan support (including McCain!). Aside from the timeline for withdrawal (however flexible) it looks to me to be a wortwhile strategy.
But then again if our country recognized an upside down Kingdom politic of Jesus and non-violent resistance this whole thing would look very very differently.
Nonviolent resistence would mean the Taliban taking over Afganistan and launching strikes against infidels all over the world.
It seems to me that Daniel's last mentioned strategy about the politics of Jesus (a view not unique to him, of course) involves a theological error: The identification of the USA or any particular temporal government with the Kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God is indeed an upside-down kingdom, but the USA is not the Kingdom of God. As a regular nation the USA is called by God to uphold justice and righteousness and defend its citizens, not to "turn the other cheek" and "if someone asks for your cloak give him your shirt as well," etc.
I didn't equate America with the Kingdom of God, quite the opposite actually. It's fine for a secular government to rage war against whoever, I just don't think Christians should fully support that government in everything it finds to be justifiable and worthwhile.
Doug: That's fatalistic. The citizens of Afghanistan don't want the Taliban there either. I think a localized grass roots movement to inundate the Taliban would take more hold than foreign soldiers. I'm reminded of one significant grass roots movement two thousand years ago...
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