Tag Archives: military

Blacksburgia webisode 8: The Perpetual Rotating Cadet

Posted by Caleb Coy on

The Perpetual Rotating Cadet

Frankie and Bridget are working in the VT library when they spot some ROTC cadets walking on the sidewalk outside their window.  They observe that while walking to class in their uniforms the cadets have to walk in stiff, straight lines parallel to the sidewalks and turn at right angles on the corners, and are only allowed to turn to the right.  One of the cadets gets “stuck” somehow at an odd spot on the walkway and is locked into a perpetual loop of taking two steps and turning right.  Frankie and Bridgette stare out the window at the poor cadet.
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“I’m Prepared To Give My Life For This Or Any Country”—A Satire on Nationalism

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“I’m Prepared To Give My Life For This Or Any Country”—A Satire on Nationalism

“As a true patriot, I would gladly die in battle defending my homeland. I love my country more than my own life. But I would also be more than willing to give my last breath in the name of, say, Mexico, Panama, Japan, or the Czech Republic. The most honorable thing a man can do is lay down his life for his country. Or another country. The important thing is that it’s a country.”

Christian Peacemaking Teams: An alternative to joining the military

Posted by Caleb Coy on

Christian Peacemaking Teams: An alternative to joining the military

Are you a Christian who has been offered a deal to join the military in your country?

One of the alternatives that exists is Christian Peacemaking Teams (CPT), an organization that calls for active, non-violent peacemaking action.

Among the work done by CPT are peaceful demonstrations, inter-army dialogues, supporting communities whose existence is in danger, and training for people in violent zones in alternatives to warfare as a way of solving problems.
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Electing Faithfulness Part 5: Swords<Ploughshares and The Golden Rule for Nations

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[back to part 4: Economy]

“Swords Into Ploughshares: The Golden Rule for Nations”
or
“Bring the Boys Back Home” (if you really want to honor them)
or
“Can Rambo turn the other cheek?”

Ron Paul has an appropriate understanding of U.S. foreign policy, U.S. defense, and involvement in the Middle-East—far more appropriate than either of the candidates.

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_A Faith Not Worth Fighting For_ Review: A Closure of Thoughts

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“You can kill us, but you cannot hurt us.” -Justin Martyr
“The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”-Tertullian
*Matthew 5:9; 5:38-45; 26:52; Luke 6:27-28; Romans 12:14; 12:17-21; 1 Cor. 4:12; 1 Peter 3:9; and Revelation 12:11

Having finished the book A Faith Not Worth Fighting For, I have one wish, that it was instead called A Faith Worth Not Fighting For.  I think that phrase is more positive and more accurately reflects the essays within.  The Christian faith is something I will fight for in my heart and in the endeavors of my faith, not with weapons, but with the piercing sword of the spirit that gives new life.  Here the authors explain why they chose the title they did, which I think is justified.
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_Not Worth Fighting For_ Review: Part 11

Posted by Caleb Coy on

The last chapter discussed what Jesus meant by “bringing a sword”.

In Chapter 11, Andy Alexis-Baker looks at the case study of a Roman Soldier: “What About the Centurion?”

The argument has gone that since the centurion showed great faith, and that Jesus commended him, and did not tell him to leave the service, that it was ok for the centurion to be a soldier, and thus it’s ok for Christians to war.

But if you grew up with the heritage of faith that I did, you are very very familiar with how the whole “making arguments from silence” thing works.  I’ve seen whole debates on whether silence is permissive or prohibitive (or either of these exclusively).  Baker says “Jesus’ silence on the centurion’s profession has become a tacit endorsement of Christians becoming involved in state-sponsored killing.”

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