Christian panel debates 3 differing views on war

A pacifist said that Christians who believe in peace-making could learn from the military.

"We could use that same devotion regarding the mission of Christ," said David Fitch, professor of Christian ethics at Northern Seminary in Lombard. "The military puts us to shame."

Fitch's remarks came during a recent conference in which he shared the stage with a retired Marine. The conference was sponsored by the Congregational Church of Batavia and held at the Batavia Public Library.

About 40 persons heard differing views on Christians and war from Jeffrey Greenman, professor of Christian ethics at Wheaton College; from Jeff McFarland, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel; and from Fitch, who presented the pacifist view. The three were featured on a panel after they presented opening statements.

Fitch told the audience that Christian pacifists refuse to participate in war, but their stand is to actively promote peace, and not to withdraw.

"Christian pacifists believe that a commitment to non-violence must start with a community of people living and being together, and showing the world how God makes peace-making possible," he said.

His views were in sharp contrast with those of McFarland, who served in Iraq and in Operation Desert Storm before retiring after 26 years in the Marines.

"My conscience is clear," McFarland told the audience. "We would not have our American freedoms if they had not been won on the battlefield. The military is the safeguard of the American people."

McFarland became emotional when he spoke of commanding very young soldiers during combat.

"I loved them as I would love my own sons or brothers," he said. "They would lay down their life for each other. As commander, my duty was to minimize unnecessary casualties. "

Greenman presented the Christian perspective of a justified war.

He said a war can be justified if it protects innocent life and the aim is the pursuit of justice -- as in recapturing land unjustly taken -- and the establishment of peace.

Asked if war could be justified in the case of stopping the slaughter of innocent people in Darfur by the Sudanese government, Greenman said he would support a multi-national group to establish peace.

"But this may involve the use of force to protect life," Greenman said.

"The conference showed that we can have an insightful discussion of differing views without getting angry," said the Rev. David Foxgrover, pastor of the Congregational Church of Batavia. He offered the welcome at the conference. "We need this kind of dialogue on important issues to keep going."