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The ingredients of just war
Q: Is there such a thing as a 'just war'? In his Nobel speech, was President Obama right to speak in these theological terms about war? He also stated that 'no holy war can ever be a just war.' Do you agree or disagree?
Of course there is such a thing as a just war. For nearly two millennia, Western thinkers starting with Augustine, and followed by many Muslim intellectuals, have developed what is known as the just war theory. Augustine was a Christian, of course, but the theory has been widely embraced by secular and religious thinkers and government officials.
For a war to be just, it must be waged by legitimate authority. The cause itself must be just, as well as the intention behind going to war. War must be a last resort, waged by means proportional to the threat. We must not target non-combatants, and we must have a reasonable chance of success.
So President Obama is absolutely right to view the conflict in Afghanistan through the lens of just war theory. I believe every president ought to do that.
I would add that if our goal in Afghanistan is primarily nation building, then I would have serious questions as to whether this war met just war standards. If, however, we are seeking to combat and defeat an enemy that attacked the United States and continues to threaten our citizens, then yes, this war is just--so long as we pursue the war proportionately and in ways that to the best of our abilities protect the lives of noncombatants.
As for the question of holy war, if the President was referring to jihad, where innocent civilians are targeted, then no, such a "holy war" can never be justified.
By
Charles "Chuck" Colson
|
December 21, 2009; 1:58 PM ET
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Posted by: coloradodog | December 27, 2009 4:05 PM
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It should only be necessary to note that our adversaries conveniently share the same doctrine of "just war", to realize that we risk falling into the ditch if we blindly follow notions propounded by human theologians.
I'm reminded of an apropos -- though ribald -- bumper sticker from Vietnam days:
"Killing for peace is like f---ing for chastity."
Posted by: laboo | December 27, 2009 1:27 PM
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I am not debating evolution; that was not the point at all. No! No! No!
I am sorry if you missed my point.
I was pointing out how Mr. Colson and people like him pick and choose what is right and true, almost by whimsy and caprice, and not by any arguments of good faith.
The theory of a just war amounts to navel-gazing, having nothing to do with the fact that ALL nations engage in war whenever they feel justified, and therefore that all wars, in this sense, are just wars.
The war you are in now is a just war. And the war someone else is in is an unjust war.
Posted by: DanielintheLionsDen | December 24, 2009 10:42 AM
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Excellent post, Mr. Colson! I've often thought about this issue myself, as a young man who may go to war after graduating from university. You really peaked my interest with your distinguishing between nation building and defense, and I would love to read more on this subject.
Daniel, I don't really want to debate evolution, I believe it is possible, though guided and used by a higher Being. As many scientists attribute the order of evolution to some sort of fundamental "life force," I believe it's reasonable to speculate as to what ultimately causes this organization.
Furthermore, there is no great secular explanation for just war. Some feels right some feels wrong, but this is all a matter of perspective. Unless you have a fairly clear criterion, one is lost.
Posted by: Publ1us | December 23, 2009 11:57 PM
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Oh, so now the "Theory of a Just War" is real, but the "Theory of Evolution" is not true.
How come?
The first is just fanciful thinking of people who seek to justify what they aleady intend to do, wage war.
The second is scientific consensus.
I suppose scientific consensus is only wothwhile when it is on things like E equals M C squared to produce a hydrogen bomb, for the pursuit of war, but for other stuff, like Evolution, it is garbage.
Have I got it right?
Posted by: DanielintheLionsDen | December 23, 2009 8:33 PM
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Huckabees like to determine, in their minds, whether the cause it is just. Their guidelines include anything to appease Israel, guarding UNOCAL's pipeline and opportunities for bid oil.