Arguments Against Pacifism

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Christians should consider that pacifism, which is the belief that violence cannot be justified under any circumstance, is interpretable from Christianity. While this is a strong stance, there are compelling arguments connecting faith and nonresistance. John Howard Yoder lays out the argument that violence is an offense directly against God that cannot be justified. Just War Theory is often raised as a sway for Christians to commit to nonviolence except in certain circumstances. Even if violence could be moral, just war theory does not work, especially in this modern age. Pacifism can result in suffering and even death, but striking back is never justified. As a Christian you may have to accept this violence.
One of the fundamental parts of
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Our sources give no information concerning his inclinations to covet, steal, bear false witness, or commit adultery. But from the first testing in the desert to the last one in the garden, his unceasing temptation was the plea of the crowds and even of some of his disciples that he should strike out on the path of righteous kingship. (Yoder, 274)
Yoder goes on to say that “Jesus choose the cross as an alternative social strategy of strength, not weakness.” (Yoder, 274) This argument, by Yoder, is a central idea of why Christians should be pacifists. If all people are made in God’s image and he loves and cares about each person, how can you justify killing a child of God? This sin is different in the bible as well. It is not on the same level as other sins. It is referred to differently and it is the main sin that Jesus may have been temped
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Perhaps pacifism requires a tad less judgment of others we see as “harming” and more engaging our neighbors to build understanding and love for those different from us.” (Schirch, “Confessions of a modern day

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