Archive
Subscribe
Weather
 |
|
 |
`Lord Teach Us to Pray':
A primer on prayer that features Seattle speakers
Religion Briefs
| Peace,
war and all things in between |
A panel discussion on Christian views on war will include a question and
answer time for the audience |
By Christie Scotty, Newberg Graphic
Reporter
Email Christie at cscotty@eaglenewspapers.com
|
When four Christians stand before an audience of Christians later this
month, they will join in presenting a non-unified front.
The panel discussion, “For Such a Time as This: Christian Perspectives on War,”
has been in the works for months. The discussion is part of the Christian Peace Fellowship
of Yamhill County’s effort to encourage discussion in the face of a possible war with
Iraq.
But unlike the candlelight vigils and prayerful peace walks seen on local
streets lately, this event is meant to represent all views.
Panelists range in their backgrounds: Mark Larson, pastor of McMinnville
Covenant Church, is also attending as an Army Reserve chaplain; Carla Anderson, a Quaker
educator from Newberg, speaks from a pacifist tradition.
Bill Apel, a professor of religious studies at Linfield College, will present
a nonviolent viewpoint that stops short of pacifism. Mark Hall, a George Fox University
associate professor of political science, will lay out the “just war” theory.
It’s far from a persuasive peace rally, but organizers hope respectful
dialogue will result.
“When you’re doing a peace witness ... that’s not really a
very good context for discussion,” said organizer Bill Jolliff. “People driving
by are very affirming or not at all affirming, but you can’t stop your car and talk.
This is the kind of situation allowing views to be presented and allowing people to
talk.”
Apel has posed the same issues of war and peace to his students in his
Linfield College classes.
“There’s generally a range of responses, from the absolute pacifist
position to the other side of the spectrum, a kind of crusader or holy war mentality
...,” Apel said. “Somewhere in the middle is (the) just war theory and
that’s when the state’s use of organized force is regrettably necessary, but
never really preferred.”
It’s that theory Hall will present at the panel. The theory stretches
back to Cicero, or to St. Augustus in the Christian tradition.
The theory poses six criteria for when it is just to go to war, weighing the
decision on the evidence of: just cause, declaration by proper authority, right intention,
a reasonable chance of success, having the ends proportional to the means, and whether it
is a last resort. The theory then poses a second question of what manner of fighting is
just.
“Defensive wars are almost always judged to be just,” Hall said.
“Then it becomes a lot more difficult. ... In respect to Iraq, a lot of these
(criteria) are easy. A critical question would be, is it the last resort?”
Despite the reliance on political theories and academic backgrounds, Jolliff
said organizers are hoping to steer clear of academic discussions.
“If it’s just a presentation of textbooks and articles then
it’s not worth having a panel if actual life doesn’t filter in,” Jolliff
said.
“I don’t think the idea is to persuade people, I think it’s
meant to educate ourselves to the fact that indeed people of goodwill can hold different
positions,” Apel said. “Whatever point of view a person holds they should have a
sense of why it is they believe as they do and understand the consequences and
implications of their views.”
The panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer time for the
audience. Childcare will be provided.
“For Such a Time as This: Christian Perspectives on War,” will
begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 10 at McMinnville First Baptist Church, 125 S. Cowls St. |
|
From Feb. 1,
2003, Newberg Graphic
Click Here to Subscribe |
|
|
|
 |
|
