 Your
views & experiences on camera & online |
|
Make this my Homepage |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Film maker:
Rev.
Dr. Alan Billings
Length: 2.5
mins
Date: March
2003
Subject: War |
|
|
|
|
|
 Video
56k Broadband
You will need RealPlayer to view the videos
(The BBC is not responsible for the control of external websites)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title:
Conflict
Reverened
Alan Billings finds himself in a difficult position - he supports the Prime
Minister's stance on Iraq and cant understand why Christian leaders aren't
showing their backing to a fellow christian. He also thinks that if the
events of 9/11 had happened in Britain, public opinion would be very different.
Alan is vicar of St George’s Church in Kendal and has been for the past
7 years. He’s also director of the Centre of Ethics and Religion at the
University of Lancaster.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Dear
Rev Dr Alan Billings
I am amazed that you see the Cristian view in terms which I cannot imagine
being those of Christ who lived in an occupied country under a fairly oppressive
regime which was prepared to order the killing of all male babies. Nowhere
in the gospels is there any encouragement or justification for any kind
of aggressive act. Far too often in the past, leaders of many nations and
religions have led their people into war with the rallying cry that "God
is on our side". It is a falsehood. God is on the side of life and his command
is thou shalt not kill. No "ifs, ands or buts". Christ did not order revenge
and it is discourteous of you to suggest that if 11 Sept had happened in
England we should think differently. You are preaching revenge as George
Bush is. Even the Old Testament law of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for
a tooth" is NOT a command to exact revenge; it is Portia's eloquent judgement
of "not one drop more" than a just due. Christ said the old law should be
put aside ! in favour of his new law "love thine enemies". You are therefore
quite wrong to criticise your peers in the churches who deplore this war.
Honour instead the French and the Germans who have stuck by their judgement
that a war is not justified. There can be no excuse or exception because
Mr Blair has acted with the best intentions. The road to hell is paved with
good intentions. Maybe we should have achieved peace in Northern Ireland
long since but for the message from the pulpits of both sides missing this
over-riding Christian principle - love thine enemies - not as you bury them.
Lionel Goodwin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MORE
VIDEOS FROM
