Explain the arguments put forward by some Christian pacifists and demonstrate how Christian non-pacifists might support their position

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Explain the arguments put forward by some Christian pacifists and demonstrate how Christian non-pacifists might support their position.

Christian pacifists could argue that Jesus’ teaching and examples are clearly against violence so why shouldn’t other Christians spread Jesus’ teachings?  Also, St. Paul wrote to the Romans:

For it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay’ says the Lord.

(Romans 12:19-20)

This means that even if someone attacks you, you should not attack them back.  Christian pacifists could argue that all Christians should follow the Ten Commandments, one of which includes:

You shall not murder

(Exodus 20:13)

One of the most antiwar arguments is the fact that wars result in the deaths of innocent people and, therefore, war is necessarily immoral.  For example, the War in Iraq has caused approximately a minimum of 8000 civilian deaths.

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Another argument that could be put forward is that, violence only leads to more violence.  An example of this is the effects of the war in Iraq which have led to guerrilla activities everyday such as car bombs even after Sadam Hussein was captured.  Car bombs were even thrown on Red Cross’ transportation.

Also, the need for war would disappear if the money spent on weapons was spent instead on eradicating the causes of the war, for example, poverty.

A Christian pacifist could say that the aim of non-violent conflict is to convert your opponent; to win over their mind ...

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