Bishops Against Iraqi Freedom

Bishops Against Iraqi Freedom

Jan 13, 2006

President Bush, like 8.2 million other Americans, belongs to the United Methodist Church. So the bishops of America’s third largest communion have taken a special interest in their prominent parishioner – by repeatedly bashing his policy on Iraq.

According to that church’s Council of Bishops, "the cycle of violence in which the United States is engaged has created a context for the denigration of human dignity and gross violations of human rights of prisoners of war."

In their most recent anti-war statement issued late last year, the bishops demanded that Bush "immediately" craft a plan to withdraw all U.S. troops and bases from Iraq. It is the latest in a flurry of statements from the prelates over the last 3 years that have faulted the United States exclusively for all problems in Iraq.

Some religious officials, such as the late Pope {Papa - Call NO man on earth your Father] John Paul II, questioned the war in Iraq based on traditional Christian just war teaching. But the United Methodist Council of Bishops has been guided not so much by Christian moral teachings as by anti-Americanism and hard-line neo- pacifism.

Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee

What about countless Iraqis who asked for help [for decades] - those who were fortunate enough to escaped Saddam and his brutal regime? who told what was going on in Iraq and asked for help? of which hundreds of mass graves do now testify of the atrocities?

Where were the mouths of those bishops then?

Most Christian leaders look to St. Augustine [Unless it is written in the Word of God that Augustine was saved? - no one on earth has the right to say he was] for theological guidance on war. But the United Methodist bishops, at least when they speak corporately, seem to look no further than the 1960’s, to which the Religious Left ascribes a mystical reverence.

The United Methodist bishops’ disregard for traditional Christian just war teaching surfaced immediately after 9/11. The Council of Bishops met in early November 2001 to craft their reaction to Osama bin Laden’s atrocities

A first draft of the bishops’ response to 9/11 referred to the United Methodist Church’s official teaching that "force of arms may regretfully be preferable to unchecked aggression, tyranny and genocide."

Radical bishops immediately pronounced this regretful acceptance of war as unacceptable and demanded a "prophetic" statement, i.e. one that would instead denounce the United States for arousing ill-will in the Islamic world and launching a war in Afghanistan.

Islam teaches that the Son of God is an abomination

1Jo 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

Islam also calls ALL of the apostles of Christ - and the Prophets before - Liars

Are those self-appointed bishops keeping The Command of the Lord that they claim to be representatives of ? {{{You be the judge

References to "terrorism" as a "shattering evil," were also deleted, at the insistence of radical bishops. Instead, the Council of Bishops vaguely denounced "violence," which by implication impartially covered both al-Qaeda and the United States.

Bishop Ann Shearer of Missouri urged acknowledging "our complicity in creating some of the chaos there [in the Middle East] and the Palestinian situation." Bishop Joe Sprague of Chicago, arguing for the "prophetic," declared that he felt "deep pain about Afghan and Iraqi civilians being killed [by the United States]. We can’t sit quietly."

Isa 14:31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.

Why fight to build that which God already said He is going to destroy?

Responding to these demands, the Council of Bishops, in their 9/11 statement, urged seeking "solidarity with victimized peoples throughout the world."

"We, your bishops, {not of the ones who know the God of the Bible] believe that violence in all of its forms and expressions is contrary to God's purpose for the world," they vacuously opined. "We also call upon the church to study and work toward alleviating the root causes of poverty and the other social conditions that are exploited by terrorists."

Exploit:

1) To employ to the greatest possible advantage

2) To make use of selfishly or unethically

How are the 'terrorists' - 'exploiting' their own Koran? which says:

005.051 O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors {authorities]: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them for friendship is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.

009.123 O ye who believe! fight '''the unbelievers''' who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you.

002.216 Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing [war] which is good for you and that ye love a thing [peace] which is bad for you?

047.004 Therefore, when ye meet '''the Unbelievers''' in fight, smite at their necks. [Behead them!]

033.061 They shall have a curse on them: whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy.

061.004 Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure.

How are the 'terrorists' - 'exploiting' the god of Islam?

Rom 13:9 Thou shalt not bear false witness

The God of the Bible commands:

Psa 10:15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

Eph 5:11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

The prelates could not admit that the U.S. overthrow of the Taliban/al-Qaeda regime after it’s murder of 3,000 Americans, not to mention its reign of terror over Afghanistan, was justified or even morally distinct from the terror of 9/11. Needless to say, for them, the overthrow of Saddam Hussein would be even more despicable.

"A pre-emptive war by the United States against a nation like Iraq goes against the very grain of our understanding of the Gospel, our church’s teachings and our conscience," insisted Bishop Sharon Brown Christopher as president of the Council of Bishops. "Pre-emptive strike does not reflect restraint and does not allow for the adequate pursuit of peaceful means for resolving conflict," she asserted in her October 2002 statement, six months before the U.S.-led liberation of Iraq.

Christopher lamented Saddam Hussein’s "treatment of his own citizens," but she urged "reconciliation." Oddly, she "acknowledged the need for military action as a means of self-defense demanded by highly unusual circumstances," but she did not describe what that situation might be. Seemingly, 9/11 was not among them. The full Council of Bishops endorsed Christopher’s statement a month later.

That group did NOTHING!....while the mass graves in Iraq were being filled - they did NOTHING! and those who watch as is Commanded know for a fact that they did NOTHING! for those who cried for help.

After U.S.-led forces overthrew Saddam Hussein in early 2003 the bishops undoubtedly were not pleased. But they avoided additional formal statements until May 2004. In their official statement then, they quoted the prophet Micah and selectively quoted their church’s official Social Principles, which "deplore war." Once again, they refused to acknowledge the church’s recognition that some circumstances, such as aggression, tyranny and genocide, may justify war.

Mic 2:1 Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.

Mic 2:2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.

Joe 3:2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. {what violence is The Holy One of Israel referring to in Micah? [You be the judge]

Joe 3:4 Yea, and what have ye to do with Me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render Me a recompence? and if ye recompense Me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

Mar 13:14 But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, {without Life Palestine denies the Son] spoken of by Daniel the prophet, STANDING WHERE IT OUGHT NOT {Because God already condemned Palestine]

Mat 24:21 Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

Joe 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.

"The continuing loss of Iraqi civilian lives, especially children, and the increasing death toll among United States, coalition military and civilian personnel in Iraq grieves the heart of God," the bishops said, undoubtedly accurately, but also once again very selectively. There was no admission that Saddam’s murder of hundreds of thousands also had been troubling.

They defend Palestine - a city that has already been condemned by God - a city that the god of Islam forgot to mention - leaving ALL of Islam without excuse for the 'resistance explanation' to carry out murder.

Rom 1:18 The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Exd 15:14 The people shall hear, and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina. {Song of Moses - the saints 'sing' this song} Rev 15:3

Those 'bishops' are not 'singing' it! are they? Are they???

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.

[ye need not that any man teach you} 1Jo 2:27

Jhn 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Isa 34:16 Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail.

Snootily, the bishops noted that the "premises advanced by the United States government for engaging in this war, namely, the presumption of weapons of mass destruction and alleged connection between al-Qaeda and Iraq have not been verified." They narrowly lamented the "the continued warfare by the United States and coalition forces," but did not mention any grief over the atrocities committed by insurgents. They also asked for the United Nations to establish a "legitimate transitional government" in Iraq.

Yeah...Lets put the very body that carried out the biggest financial scandal in history in the name of "Oil for food" [being thick as thieves with the Tyrant of the Iraqis] - in charge of appointing the Iraqis a new government. {And let us all call that - a "legitimate act"

Why so much forgiveness for the UN? who not only robbed the Iraqi people while protecting their tyrant leader just to keep the gains - but have also excused themselves from righteous prosecution.

In November 2005, the bishops issued their third official denunciation of the U.S. military action in Iraq. This time they called for a Congressional resolution urging U.S. withdrawal. And they invited the United Nations to organize "Iraqi groups opposed to the occupation to explore a political settlement to the conflict." Again, there was no mention of the ongoing elections in Iraq for a democratic government. Nor did the bishops criticize the "Iraqi groups" whose suicide bombers blow up civilians in their quest for an Islamic state, a regime that presumably would not be conducive to the religion of United Methodist bishops. {and so, they claim]

Not satisfied with the depth of condemnation from this latest official resolution from the Council on Bishops, 96 United Methodist bishops signed their own statement to denounce the "unjust and immoral invasion and occupation of Iraq." They prayed that the leaders of the United States would "turn to truth, humility, and policies of peace through justice," after having launched their immoral war based upon "misleading information." No prayers were offered for the insurgents of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose al-Qaeda-backed terrorism did not merit the bishops’ attention.

Of course, some radical bishops have acted on their own. Only three months before the U.S.-led invasion, Bishop Melvin Talbert traveled to Baghdad and met with Saddam’s deputy henchman Tariq Aziz. Serving as the Council of Bishops ecumenical officer, Talbert enthused that Saddam’s regime was in a "conciliatory mood" and open to negotiation. "They feel they are abiding by the UN resolution," Talbert insisted. His ecumenical delegation released a statement denounced "pre-emptive war" as "immoral," "illegal," "theologically illegitimate."

Talbert also appeared in television ads orchestrated by the National Council of Churches, declaring that an attack on Iraq would "violate God’s law." Afterwards, Talbert explained, "Iraq hasn’t wronged us."

Which is more righteous? Being a 'good Samaritan' for Saddam and his brutal regime? - or being a good Samaritan for the victims of the mass graves that Saddam and his brutal regime filled as the UN stood by and did NOTHING? [except, line their silk pockets]

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Those bishops put forth more effort in defending the Tyrant of the Iraqi people - 'terrorists' who believe the Son of God is an abomination and see no wrong in filling more graves - and the UN who robbed a broken people while they were down. Is this not so? {You be the judge]

Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

In October 2002, Rep. Danny Davis, D-IL, convened an anti-war "Citizen’s Hearing on Iraq." Eight United Methodist bishops showed up to testify. Bishop Sprague of Chicago called a U.S. overthrow of Saddam "morally lamentable" and "theologically reprehensible." Sprague called for massive civil disobedience against the impending war and was himself arrested for a brief stunt outside the White House. Last year, another retired bishop, Joe Wilson, joined Cindy Sheehan in Crawford, Texas to demonstrate outside Bush’s ranch.

They're all supporters of Palestine - a city that The God they claim to be representatives of - already condemned.

There is little reason to think that President Bush has taken these routine denunciations by his church’s bishops very seriously. Undoubtedly, a vast majority of United Methodists are also indifferent to their bishops’ political demands. The church’s governing convention met in 2004 and declined to make any official anti-Iraq war statements. Indeed, it actually strengthened the church’s acknowledgement of just war teaching. New language was added to the church’s Book of Discipline saying that war could be a last resort in cases of "genocide, brutal suppression of human rights, and unprovoked international aggression." Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, of course, was guilty of all three.

But the United Methodist Council of Bishops seems determined to ignore the church’s official teachings, in favor of their own aging brand of 1960’s anti-war theatrics.

Establishing Palestine - is their Agenda.

The God of the Bible already condemned Palestine - and yet - these self-professing so-called representatives of the God of the Bible - continue the fight to establish a city that The God of the Bible already condemned.

Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.

1Cr 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Eze 37:12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

Joe 3:4 Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

Isa 14:31 Howl, O gate; cry, O city; thou, whole Palestina, art dissolved: for there shall come from the north a smoke, and none shall be alone in his appointed times.

Luk 11:23 He that is not with Me - is against Me

Jer 51:57 And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name is the LORD of hosts.

Mat 15:14 And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch [pit].

Eph 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.