What do you think about war?

A common misconception is that the Old Testament God loves war in comparison to the New Testament God loving peace and mercy. The truth is that God is a God of justice and mercy.

The Old Testament often shows that God punishes Israel and Israel’s enemies through the act of war as a just consequence for their sin. The New Testament shows God punishing his own Son in place of the new Israel as an atonement for their sin. The cross is where justice and mercy meet.

So what should Christians believe about war? Robin Gill suggested the following four positions:

1. Thoroughgoing militarism: all war is just – a Christian could be a mercenary.
2. Selective militarism: war that the state declares is just – a Christian could serve in the armed forces.
3. Selective pacifism: wars with which the individual agrees is just – a Christian could serve in a particular war.
4. Thoroughgoing pacifism: no war is just – a Christian should never serve in the armed forces.

I think I’m between 2 and 3. Where are you?

Islamic prostitution in the name of legalism

I don’t normally do this but I found this almost unbelievable. Before you read it, please don’t think I’m transposing this onto all Muslims! It’s just one occurence in one heavily Islamic nation.

In the name of legalism, the following document (which can be found here at planet-iran.com in its original form) justifies prostitution of girls as young as 12:

In the name of Allah who is most gracious and merciful

Temporary Marriage (Marriage is among the traditions of the Prophet Mohammad)

In order to elevate the spiritual atmosphere, create proper psychological conditions and tranquility of mind, the Province of the Quds’eh-Razavi of Khorassan has created centers for temporary marriage (just next door to the shrine) for those brothers who are on pilgrimage to the shrine of eighth Imam, Imam Reza, and who are far away from their spouses.

To that end, we call on all our sisters who are virgins, who are between the ages of 12 and 35 to cooperate with us. Each of our sisters who signs up will be bound by a two-year contract with th province of the Quds’eh-Razavi of Khorassan and will be required to spend at least 25 days of each month temporarily married to those brothers who are on pilgrimage. The period of the contract be considered as a part of the employment experience of the applicant. The period of each temporary marriage can be anywhere between 5 hours to 10 days. The prices are as follows:

· 5 hour temporary marriage — 50,000 Tomans ($50 US)
· One day temporary marriage — 75,000 Tomans ($75 US)
· Two day temporary marriage — 100,000 Tomans ($100 US)
· Three day temporary marriage — 150,000 Tomans ($150 US)
· Between 4 and 10 day temporary marriage — 300,000 Tomans ($300 US)

Our sisters who are virgins will receive a bonus of 100,000 Tomans ($100 US) for the removal of their hymen.

After the expiration of the two-year contract, should our sisters still be under 35 years of age and should they be so inclined, they can be added to the waiting list of those who are seeking long-term temporary marriage. The employed sisters are obligated to donate 5% of their earnings to the Shrine of Imam Reza. We ask that all the sisters who are interested in applying, to furnish two full-length photographs (fully hijabed and properly veiled), their academic diplomas, proof of their virginity and a certificate of good physical and psychological health which they can obtain through the health human services of the township of their residence. Please forward all compiled material and sen the below address by the 31st of the month of Ordibehesht, 1389 (May 21st, 2010).

Attention: For sisters who are below 14 years of age, a written consent from their fathers or male guardian is required.

I’m sorry, but surely adultery is sin no matter how you word it?