Cover Story by Stephen Gorham "Americans need to address the roots of terrorism."

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Cover Stories | Send mail to The Voice Pacifism not mandatory for Christians Portland Peaceful Response, a pacifist group formed after the Sept. 11 attacks, sponsors peace vigils at Pioneer Square in Portland every Friday night at 5 p.m. -Tess Chierici, photo Streetlamps lit Pioneer Square in Portland where about 50 people gathered in the rain and cold. They carried signs proclaiming "War is Terrorism" and "War Will Never Bring Safety." They represented different backgrounds, ages, lifestyles and religious beliefs. Yet one thing united them: pacifism. They gathered to protest the war in Afghanistan and to propose alternative responses to the Sept. 11 attacks. Two speakers talked about the war while several people passed out leaflets and newsletters about pacifism. A few passersby stopped to listen, but most ignored the protestors. The protestors then walked around the block, waving their signs at passing cars and bystanders. Some drivers honked in agreement, and others yelled words of opposition. The protestors chanted "Cease-fire! Cease-fire!" On one corner Emily Trinkaus, 33, explained her stance to two men. Trinkaus is a member of Portland Peaceful Response, a diverse coalition with three points of unity: stopping the war, protecting the rights of Arab Americans and protecting civil liberties. Although Trinkaus has always been a pacifist, this is her first series of peace vigils. Trinkaus said the war in Afghanistan will incite more terrorist attacks by creating more anger and anti-American feeling. She said this war makes the current situation in the United States more unsafe. "Only a peaceful reponse can stop these attacks," Trinkaus said. Trinkaus suggested using an international police force using mass intelligence to round up the terrorists. She suggested trying the terrorists as criminals in the international courts. Trinkaus said Americans need to address the roots of terrorism. She said terrorism isn't an entity one can kill, but it is a strategy of poor and desperate people. Trinkaus said waging war on a country and sending aid to its refugees is double-minded. However, she also said the United States has not sent enough aid. Some Christian groups also lead pacifist lifestyles. The Quakers, Brethren and Mennonites are the three historic peace denominations. They refuse to participate in war. Rod Stafford, pastor of Portland Mennonite Church, said Mennonites discourage military involvement because they believe Christians are called to "non-violence." Stafford said we cannot follow Christ's command to love our enemies while killing them. Stafford said that because Christians pledge allegiance to the kingdom of God--a kingdom that transcends national boundaries--they should not participate in earthly wars. Dr. Garry Friesen, professor of Bible and Theology at Multnomah Bible College, disagrees. Dr. Friesen said that Jesus never condemned a soldiers' profession but told soldiers not to unjustly take anything by force. Jesus' comments about loving your enemies condemn personal vengeance. That belongs to God alone. Yet Christians can seek justice with the means God has provided including human government. Dr. Friesen said believers can love those who do you wrong and stop them at the same time for the protection of society. "In an unjust world, you need physical weapons for justice," Dr. Friesen said. Christians also must remember that the same Jesus who made those comments is the same Jesus who will bring peace by bringing war, a final war to defeat all evil. Dr. Friesen said that although Jesus is the lamb, He is also the Lion of Judah and the One who comes on a white horse. "In righteousness He judges and wages war." Dr. Friesen said that although Christians' ultimate citizenship is in heaven, that citizenship involves obeying the earthly government as Romans 13 says. The Bible says you need to obey the laws of the country you are in. Even Jesus paid the temple tax even though he owned the temple. But Dr. Friesen continued that if the country says to do something that is against God, Christians are to obey God first. The Rev. Stafford believes the United States made a mistake to think of this as a war. It was a crime. "Individuals commit crimes. Nations wage war," he said. Stafford believes the U.S. military will root out the Taliban and get Bin Laden. But, he said, this won't end terrorism, it will create more martyrs. "We've become what we've condemned. They used planes to kill our innocent people. We have used our planes to kill their innocent people," he said. Mennonites responded to the attacks by providing assistance to the relief workers in New York City and Washington, DC. The Rev. Stafford's church took an offering and sent it to help provide meals for the workers and their families. They also held a vigil the night of the attack and continue to pray. Each Sunday morning service, members light a candle and pray for peace. Stafford himself reads the obituaries of the victims in The Oregonian every morning. It helps personalize the victims for him. "It's not 5,000 people that died. It's one person that died times 5,000, which I think is different," he said. A just war and self-defense are proper, Dr. Friesen said. There is no blood-guilt for a killing a thief in a house because the intruder might be a murderer. Thus, Dr. Friesen said, self-defense is acceptable according to Exodus 22:1-3. He believes a nation may have a police force to protect the innocent within its borders and an army to protect itself from outside invasion. He said that army preparedness dissuades evil people or nations from their actions, thus encouraging peace. Dr. Friesen said that an individual must refuse to serve in a war if he considers it unjust. In a case of uncertainty over the justness of war, people should obey your government and trust its decision. A Christian can fight despite the horrors war brings; he will do this to stop greater horrors. Mennonites believe that faith is voluntary, and they do not force their beliefs on others. If an individual wants to join the armed forces, he can. Stafford said he would talk to that person directly and share what they believe in the Scriptures but if Mennonites still go out and join, it's their decision. Dr. Friesen said Christians must remember that freedom comes with a price; nations need to protect themselves as long as evil exists. Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous Cover Stories | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2001 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.