According to a recent column from Antiwar.com, the drone assassination program seems to be currently on autopilot. It seems that this may be the case since there's no current CIA director. The CIA is in charge of the drone program. The one that Trump picked as CIA Director, Mike Pompeo, hasn't been confirmed yet. But how can the CIA conduct drone strikes without a director? It seems that they are just doing it anyway.
Over the weekend, there were two drone strikes in Yemen. This recent drone strike killed three alleged Al-Qaeda operatives in Yemen. Though it's not confirmed, the US is suspected in the making the strikes. If it's from the US government, this would be the first drone strikes under President Trump. Of course, using drones to kill enemies isn't new. It was done frequently under the Obama administration.
While drones may save the lives of soldiers conducting a mission, the problem with them is that there have been civilians killed in these attacks. In other words, collateral damage. Because of this, people around the world, especially in the areas we use them, don't like the United States. If the United States wants to stop being hated around the world, it needs take a second look at the use of drones.
In Trump's inaugural speech, he said that he won't try to impose the will of America on other nations and it will be America First. If he believe this, then he needs to put the brakes on the drones.
The president must use caution before using these things. It cannot be the go-to device when dealing with a problem.
At this point, President Trump can't be blamed completely since he just took office less than a week ago. However, if the drone attacks continue, or continue as they have been, then the buck stops with him and he needs to be held accountable.
Killing human lives cannot be done on autopilot. What a drone sees in its sights is people. They could be civilians and innocent lives. And if there are terrorists or enemies, there might be non-combatants that surround these cowards. When the drones kills children and families, then hatred builds towards the US and creates more terrorists as a reaction to these killings. The cycle will continue until we really take the drone warfare off autopilot in our thinking.
This isn't a video game. We can't treat people as some expendable pixels. Taking a human life shouldn't be taken lightly. It should be used as the last resort if all other peaceful or restrained means have failed.
Showing posts with label Peacemakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peacemakers. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Saturday, January 21, 2017
An opportunity
To those who advocate peace and liberty,
We have an opportunity now to encourage President Trump to pursue a path of peace and non-intervention.
Based on Trump's inaugural address, the President seemed to be more focused on building the country up rather than imposing the US's will on other nations.
And Trump has hinted that he's not interested in military adventurism and nation building during his campaign. He even criticized the Iraq War and George W Bush for going in and leaving a disaster.
He also seems to be skeptical of the military industrial complex, such as questioning the cost of the F35 program. And he seems to be skeptical of the intelligence community.
If this is true, then it's an encouraging start to roll back the Empire. Of course, there's a lot of work to be done, such as ending the spying apparatus, drone warfare, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the bases and troops worldwide, foreign entanglements, Guantanamo Bay, and the military industrial complex. The list goes and on and on.
The path to peace and liberty is hard work and there will be set backs along the way. But the point is to keep forward and speaking out in spite of these possible obstacles and set backs.
Of course, we need to stand against this President if he pursues a path of destruction and carnage. For now, we an have opportunity.
There might be deep reservations we have about this new president. I know I do. But based on the things regarding foreign policy and war, we might have an opportunity to seek a common ground with the President to pursue peace and prosperity.
He distrusts the mainstream media. And chances are, you as well. And since we might share that common thread, we can reach out to him easier and get his ear more to pursue peace.
Only time will tell whether President Trump will continue to road towards Empire and destruction or will change course towards peace and life.
I pray that peace will prevail in this nation and in the heart of this new President.
Sincerely,
The Praying Peacenik
Saturday, December 24, 2016
An Unlikely Reminder
One of the coolest things I seen today was when I looked up at the sky, I saw cloud shaped like a cross. It then morphed into what it looked like a dove. This reminded me of Who is important and to keep my focus on Him.
Now I don't go looking for signs or any of that. It just reminded me the only peace and hope we can find in this war-torn, divided world is in God.
Once you experience that peace and hope, you can share that with this world. And who knows what will happen when others accept this transcendant peace and hope.
As a lover of liberty and a follower of Christ, this freedom and hope is a freedom that no words can explain.
What we are looking for to make this world a better place cannot be found in any government or any political philosophy. People's hearts have to change, one person at a time. Then, the world will change one step at a time.
Merry Christmas and God bless you all.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
A Big Step to Heal the Divide
In my previous blog post, I mentioned that there's no way humanly possible way to heal the divide in this country. This past election, which was a wild ride, and the protests that followed shows the divide is deep and very real. This nation has deep wounds. But having said that it's not totally impossible to bridge this gap between people.
Christians, true followers of Jesus Christ, must seize this time as a golden opportunity to show this country and this world there's another way of doing things. So how do we this? It's simple yet profoundly deep. Christians need to show love towards each other. Even the Church has been somewhat divided over this election. But rather than following the zeitgeist of this culture, we need to listen to the Spirit of our Lord. As a matter of fact, Jesus commanded His disciples to love each other.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
-- John 13:34-35 WEB
So Jesus isn't giving an option-- it's a mandate. And if we claim we love Jesus, we must listen to what He says (John 14:15). So it doesn't whether your brother or sister in Christ is a far-lefty or a right-winger, we must love them all the same because they follow Jesus Christ, the Lord. Not to mention, they are also human beings, which are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27).
So what does this love look like and how far does should this love go? What does the Scripture say?
By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. -- 1 John 3:16 WEB
Since Jesus gave us an example of love looks like by laying down life His down on the cross, we ought to be willing to lay our lives down for our brothers and sisters in Christ. So it doesn't matter whether you agree with them or not, you need to be willing to your lay your life down for them. It's not about us and our comfort zone. It's about God and others. Because if show hate towards our brothers and sister, then we are in darkness, we are murderers, we are liars, and cannot love God (1 John 2:9, 2:11, 3:15, 4:20). In other words, we are bunch of phonies if we don't do this. See the following Scripture for further reason why we should love each other.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. -- 1 John 4:8 NIV
And this love isn't simply a command. Love each other will have a profound impact on those outside of the Church. Look at John 13:35 again:
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
King Jesus knows that if His followers love each other truly, then the world will know we identify with Him. Jesus said something similar to God the Father before He was crucified on the cross.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. -- John 17:20-23 NIV
Jesus said that if those who believe in Him showed the same unity towards each other like the unity He had with God, then the world would know that He was sent by God. That's profound!
You see many people don't follow Jesus not because there's no evidence. There is. It's because there's no proof of Him in the lives of those who claim the name of Christ. But if we show love and unity towards each other, then what would this nation or this world would say then? I believe their hearts would be more open towards the Lord Jesus. The proof is in the pudding. Being the example matters.
In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. -- Matthew 5:16 NIV
So what I'm saying is this: We need to start the healing within the Church by loving each other. Once we are healed and united under Christ, then we can show our love to others outside. Then, the healing in this divided nation and in this broken world will begin.
Christians, true followers of Jesus Christ, must seize this time as a golden opportunity to show this country and this world there's another way of doing things. So how do we this? It's simple yet profoundly deep. Christians need to show love towards each other. Even the Church has been somewhat divided over this election. But rather than following the zeitgeist of this culture, we need to listen to the Spirit of our Lord. As a matter of fact, Jesus commanded His disciples to love each other.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
-- John 13:34-35 WEB
So Jesus isn't giving an option-- it's a mandate. And if we claim we love Jesus, we must listen to what He says (John 14:15). So it doesn't whether your brother or sister in Christ is a far-lefty or a right-winger, we must love them all the same because they follow Jesus Christ, the Lord. Not to mention, they are also human beings, which are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27).
So what does this love look like and how far does should this love go? What does the Scripture say?
By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. -- 1 John 3:16 WEB
Since Jesus gave us an example of love looks like by laying down life His down on the cross, we ought to be willing to lay our lives down for our brothers and sisters in Christ. So it doesn't matter whether you agree with them or not, you need to be willing to your lay your life down for them. It's not about us and our comfort zone. It's about God and others. Because if show hate towards our brothers and sister, then we are in darkness, we are murderers, we are liars, and cannot love God (1 John 2:9, 2:11, 3:15, 4:20). In other words, we are bunch of phonies if we don't do this. See the following Scripture for further reason why we should love each other.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. -- 1 John 4:8 NIV
And this love isn't simply a command. Love each other will have a profound impact on those outside of the Church. Look at John 13:35 again:
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
King Jesus knows that if His followers love each other truly, then the world will know we identify with Him. Jesus said something similar to God the Father before He was crucified on the cross.
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. -- John 17:20-23 NIV
Jesus said that if those who believe in Him showed the same unity towards each other like the unity He had with God, then the world would know that He was sent by God. That's profound!
You see many people don't follow Jesus not because there's no evidence. There is. It's because there's no proof of Him in the lives of those who claim the name of Christ. But if we show love and unity towards each other, then what would this nation or this world would say then? I believe their hearts would be more open towards the Lord Jesus. The proof is in the pudding. Being the example matters.
In the same way let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. -- Matthew 5:16 NIV
So what I'm saying is this: We need to start the healing within the Church by loving each other. Once we are healed and united under Christ, then we can show our love to others outside. Then, the healing in this divided nation and in this broken world will begin.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Can the politcal divide be healed?
Regardless of who wins this election, the fact that this remains is that this nation, I'm talking about the United States, is extremely divided. It's not just in liberal or conservative viewpoints they are divided on. People have extremely different worldviews on morals and on society in general.
Is there anyway we can heal this divide?
Is there anyway we can heal this divide?
I'm afraid to say this: no. There isn't any policy change or political movement that can change this. The kingdoms of this world, the governments, are inherently broken and Satan controls them in varying degrees (Revelation 13). The people of this world are also broken and some are blinded by the god of the age, who is Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Not to mention, that politics is based on power over others (Matthew 20:25-28). It also based on divisiveness, such as dissension and factions, which is the fruit of our flesh (Galatians 5:20).
But there is hope but it doesn't come from us. It only come from Jesus Christ. Jesus has already paved for unity for us.
His death on the cross tore down the wall between Jews and Gentiles (people of non-Jewish origin). See Ephesians 2 from Scripture on how Jesus did this. The significance of his death speaks volume. It not only tore down the wall between each other but also the division between us and God (Matthew 27:51). Why did Jesus do this. It's because He loved us. Think of the radical implications here.
So how can we practically show Jesus's love for humanity towards each other. First, we must be followers of King Jesus. He will gives us His Spirit, so that we act radically different than this world (John 14:26, Romans 8:9-11, Galatians 5:16).
The Spirit of Christ (also known as The Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God) will gives us the power to love each other to be peaceful, patient, and kindness to one another (Galatians 5:22).
You have may seen the Coexist bumper stickers. I can't judge someone's motive for putting this on their vehicle. But if you are truly looking for the ultimate coexistence, it can only found in the Lord Jesus Christ. His kingdom is about love, justice, and truth. You will find the ultimate Coexist in His Kingdom.
This isn't some airy-fairy stuff. Following Jesus and implementing His love might spare us from societal collapse or nuclear Armageddon. In other words, if we love each other like Jesus did for humanity, we can ensure the survival of our species and this planet.
But what I saying is this: we can't heal this deep divide on our own; we can only be healed by King Jesus's love and power.
Let me leave you with the words from Jesus Christ:
"With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,"
Not to mention, that politics is based on power over others (Matthew 20:25-28). It also based on divisiveness, such as dissension and factions, which is the fruit of our flesh (Galatians 5:20).
But there is hope but it doesn't come from us. It only come from Jesus Christ. Jesus has already paved for unity for us.
His death on the cross tore down the wall between Jews and Gentiles (people of non-Jewish origin). See Ephesians 2 from Scripture on how Jesus did this. The significance of his death speaks volume. It not only tore down the wall between each other but also the division between us and God (Matthew 27:51). Why did Jesus do this. It's because He loved us. Think of the radical implications here.
So how can we practically show Jesus's love for humanity towards each other. First, we must be followers of King Jesus. He will gives us His Spirit, so that we act radically different than this world (John 14:26, Romans 8:9-11, Galatians 5:16).
The Spirit of Christ (also known as The Holy Spirit or the Spirit of God) will gives us the power to love each other to be peaceful, patient, and kindness to one another (Galatians 5:22).
You have may seen the Coexist bumper stickers. I can't judge someone's motive for putting this on their vehicle. But if you are truly looking for the ultimate coexistence, it can only found in the Lord Jesus Christ. His kingdom is about love, justice, and truth. You will find the ultimate Coexist in His Kingdom.
This isn't some airy-fairy stuff. Following Jesus and implementing His love might spare us from societal collapse or nuclear Armageddon. In other words, if we love each other like Jesus did for humanity, we can ensure the survival of our species and this planet.
But what I saying is this: we can't heal this deep divide on our own; we can only be healed by King Jesus's love and power.
Let me leave you with the words from Jesus Christ:
"With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,"
Monday, September 19, 2016
Can peace emerge from a wrecked weekend
The United States accidentally bombed Syrian troops on Saturday because they thought it was ISIS. But some doubt the sincerity of that claim and claim the US sides with ISIS. Whether this was an accident or not, only God knows. I don't know which way is true. Then also over the weekend, you have explosions happen in New York and New Jersey caused by a terror suspect. Now whether this is connected in any way, I don't know.
Where am I going with this? This world is a powder keg ready to explode. But is there a way a diffuse it? Maybe, in the short run through diplomacy. But in the long run, sadly no. Why? It's because the kingdoms of this world can't. They are inherently based on brute force and power over others. Fighting, divisions conquest, and war is the water they drink. Randolph Bourne said it best:
"War is the Health of the State."
Sadly, it is. They thrive off it. Otherwise, they will shrivel up and dine. While stated in Romans 13 from the Bible, God uses the sword to punish the evildoers, it's also shown in Revelation 13, the State or the kingdoms of this world, are shown as a ferocious beast backed by Satan. For goodness sake's the system is described as a brute in this chapter. What a double-edge sword the government is. So what do we do?
There is hope. But it wouldn't be solved by political means or looking to the governments of this world. The hope is found in Jesus Christ. He gives us peace, but not like the fleeting peace of this world. It's a different kind of peace. It's a peace that more meaningful and more lasting and transcends the politics of this world (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7). So how do we get this peace?
This peace can only be found in Jesus. If we follow Jesus as the Lord over our lives, He will transform us into a people of love, peace, and truth. He is not like the tyrants of this world. Jesus is caring and loving and give us peace. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He is not like the tyrants of this world, who will weigh you down and crush you. Jesus is gentle and humble and will lift you up.
If we submit our lives to King Jesus, he shows us how to be peaceful and loving to others. As a matter of fact, His command to His disciples in John 13:34 is to love one another as He loved them.
Imagine, what the world be like if we were loving towards each others. When I mean love, it's not the world's way of understanding. It's Christ's way of understanding it.
So in short, can peace emerge from a wrecked weekend? Yes, it can. But we can't look to the kingdoms of this world to solve it. We can only look to the Kingdom of God and the King who sits on the throne there.
Where am I going with this? This world is a powder keg ready to explode. But is there a way a diffuse it? Maybe, in the short run through diplomacy. But in the long run, sadly no. Why? It's because the kingdoms of this world can't. They are inherently based on brute force and power over others. Fighting, divisions conquest, and war is the water they drink. Randolph Bourne said it best:
"War is the Health of the State."
Sadly, it is. They thrive off it. Otherwise, they will shrivel up and dine. While stated in Romans 13 from the Bible, God uses the sword to punish the evildoers, it's also shown in Revelation 13, the State or the kingdoms of this world, are shown as a ferocious beast backed by Satan. For goodness sake's the system is described as a brute in this chapter. What a double-edge sword the government is. So what do we do?
There is hope. But it wouldn't be solved by political means or looking to the governments of this world. The hope is found in Jesus Christ. He gives us peace, but not like the fleeting peace of this world. It's a different kind of peace. It's a peace that more meaningful and more lasting and transcends the politics of this world (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7). So how do we get this peace?
This peace can only be found in Jesus. If we follow Jesus as the Lord over our lives, He will transform us into a people of love, peace, and truth. He is not like the tyrants of this world. Jesus is caring and loving and give us peace. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He is not like the tyrants of this world, who will weigh you down and crush you. Jesus is gentle and humble and will lift you up.
If we submit our lives to King Jesus, he shows us how to be peaceful and loving to others. As a matter of fact, His command to His disciples in John 13:34 is to love one another as He loved them.
Imagine, what the world be like if we were loving towards each others. When I mean love, it's not the world's way of understanding. It's Christ's way of understanding it.
So in short, can peace emerge from a wrecked weekend? Yes, it can. But we can't look to the kingdoms of this world to solve it. We can only look to the Kingdom of God and the King who sits on the throne there.
Monday, September 12, 2016
Showing God's love, peace, truth, and liberty the best way I know how
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
-- Matthew 5:9 NIV
Hello, everyone! Thank you for stopping by. This blog will focus on being an advocate for peace, love, truth, and liberty from hopefully a Christian perspective.
The blog was started as a way to counter some problems I've noticed within the Christian community. If you're not a Christian, that's okay too. I would love to have you follow along as well. I will cover topics that are not always directly related to Christianity.
What this blog is aiming to counter
There are a couple of problems I've noticed at least in the church of North America.
One, it seems many Christians, especially in the US, have wrapped themselves in a flag and gotten hypnotized by neoconservatives to support the war machine and blindly follow the interests of the military-industrial complex, imperialists, or hyper-nationalists, especially when it comes to actions in the Middle East.
-- Matthew 5:9 NIV
Hello, everyone! Thank you for stopping by. This blog will focus on being an advocate for peace, love, truth, and liberty from hopefully a Christian perspective.
The blog was started as a way to counter some problems I've noticed within the Christian community. If you're not a Christian, that's okay too. I would love to have you follow along as well. I will cover topics that are not always directly related to Christianity.
What this blog is aiming to counter
There are a couple of problems I've noticed at least in the church of North America.
One, it seems many Christians, especially in the US, have wrapped themselves in a flag and gotten hypnotized by neoconservatives to support the war machine and blindly follow the interests of the military-industrial complex, imperialists, or hyper-nationalists, especially when it comes to actions in the Middle East.
Rather than getting drawn into such conflicts, which is only benefits one worldly kingdom at the expense of another, Christians need to follow Jesus Christ. He told them to love to each other as well as our neighbors and even our enemies. When Jesus was about to ascend into heaven, He told His disciples to teach others to obey his command, which is love. This radical love is only thing that prevent the human race from going into extinction.
Two, to a lesser extent, some Christians have been lulled by the sirens of social progressives. Things like standing against corporate personhood, cronyism, human trafficking, human rights abuse, and economic injustice are what Christians should do. Christians should be the voice of the oppressed and the downtrodden since God is a defender of them. However, to advocate things like state socialism, collectivism, taking people's right to defend themselves, and giving approval to certain behaviors that humans aren't made for is something Christian should avoid. This reason is that these things don't reflect the radical love of King Jesus. These things seek control over other people. One group will dominate at the expense of others.
Christocultural
Now the two problems I listed out doesn't Christians shouldn't vote. That's up to the conscience of every brother and sister in Christ, since voting isn't mentioned in Scripture. I'm merely saying that the priority is Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Christians need to be counterculture because we serve a King that's not of this world. We shouldn't embrace the culture. Nonetheless, Christians should build bridges with others as much as possible.
Being a Christian is a fine and delicate balance. Jesus should always be the center and core of it all. If Christian keep their eyes on Jesus, then they can be radical like Him but avoiding the extremes at the same time.
I don't have all the answers. I'm not infallible. I'm just here to communicate the love and light of Jesus Christ to this dark world the best way I know how. Blessings to all!
Two, to a lesser extent, some Christians have been lulled by the sirens of social progressives. Things like standing against corporate personhood, cronyism, human trafficking, human rights abuse, and economic injustice are what Christians should do. Christians should be the voice of the oppressed and the downtrodden since God is a defender of them. However, to advocate things like state socialism, collectivism, taking people's right to defend themselves, and giving approval to certain behaviors that humans aren't made for is something Christian should avoid. This reason is that these things don't reflect the radical love of King Jesus. These things seek control over other people. One group will dominate at the expense of others.
Christocultural
Now the two problems I listed out doesn't Christians shouldn't vote. That's up to the conscience of every brother and sister in Christ, since voting isn't mentioned in Scripture. I'm merely saying that the priority is Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Being a Christian is a fine and delicate balance. Jesus should always be the center and core of it all. If Christian keep their eyes on Jesus, then they can be radical like Him but avoiding the extremes at the same time.
I don't have all the answers. I'm not infallible. I'm just here to communicate the love and light of Jesus Christ to this dark world the best way I know how. Blessings to all!
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