Also, there are selective pacifists. These people choose whether or not they will not fight in “unjust” wars. An example of a selective pacifist is Franz Jagerstätter. He fought in the Germans in the First World War and won a medal for bravery however, he decided not to fight in the Second World War because he thought that Hitler was an unjust leader.
There is a lot of support that a pacifist might find in the Bible, the Churches and the teachings of Jesus. However, the Bible is not straight forward as it contradicts itself. Firstly, the Sixth Commandment says:
You shall not murder.
(Exodus 20:13)
However, there are occasions when the Jews are told by God to attack people who oppose them:
“But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”
(Exodus 21:23-25)
This statement is intent to tell people to limit revenge and not encourage it. Micah sends a message that the best thing to do is throwing away your weapons away and peace is better than war:
They will beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more..
(Micah 4:3)
Jesus is often described as a pacifist. He taught:
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.
(Matthew 5:9)
Also, when he was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, his disciples wanted to defend him:
When Jesus' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, "No more of this!" And he touched the man's ear and healed him.
(Luke 22:49-51)
Additionally, Paul wrote to the Romans:
For it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay’ says the Lord. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12: 17-21)
This teaches that even if someone attacks you, you should not retaliate as God will fight for you.
However, there are two occasions in the gospels when Jesus is angry. One of these is in the Temple in Jerusalem:
Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers."
(Matthew 21:12-13)
Most Christians believe that war and fighting are wrong except in the most severe cases and they base their views on Jesus' teachings about love:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
(Mark 12: 30-31)
And
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
(Matthew 5:39)
Also, agage, is a technical term used for Christian love, the purely spiritual love of one person for another. This love corresponds to the love of God for mankind.
Some Christians, such as Quakers (The Religious Society of Friends), are totally opposed to fighting and during warfare they are conscientious objectors, they refuse to join the armed forces when required to do so and any other part of the “war effort”. However, others help in humanitarian tasks such as driving ambulances.
However, the Methodist Church teaches that war is contrary to the spirit, teaching and purpose of Jesus Christ. However, Jesus did not condemn the Centurion or even Pilate himself for being part of the military arm. Instead he reminded Pilate that he had received his authority from a greater power and remained accountable to that power.
