Gerard, Thanks for your encouragement and you make a good point. There is always the need to be patient and understanding with those who fail to see what we see, and I at least appreciate it when people treat me the same way. Giving up on having conversations with others about this issue is not a good way forward, though those conversations may be difficult and frustrating. -Kevin

BaB, Thanks for taking the time to read the article and comment! This is obviously a generalization but I fear Christianity in America is thoroughly compromised by capitalism, nationalism, and politics (among other things). Christian leaders (pastors and politicians) use fears to stay in power instead of teaching about the God of Israel and pointing people to Jesus. This has many of the followers of Jesus doing the exact opposite of what Jesus taught, even as they claim that their behavior is the one true path of "real" Christians. -Kevin P.S. We (Christians) would kill Jesus.

Gerard, Thanks for your comments. I think a huge challenge around this issue is that it used to be "blatantly plain" to me (and it still is to many others) that Christians serving in wars is okay because that has been the status quo for so long. The long history of Christians participating in wars sadly often overshadows our call to non-violence and the ways of peace. Taking the time to point that out can be very difficult and can cost you. -Kevin

Travis, Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this article. I had a friend once ask me how I felt about someone calling the Holy Spirit or God "Mother" and this led into a lengthy discussion about gender in the Bible. (I wrote about some of it here: http://wp.me/pVYH7-9R) I really cringe that certain elements within Christianity attempt to reinforce patriarchy and benevolent sexism by talking about a "masculine feel" to Christianity but try to see them with as much grace as possible and know they do so with the best of intentions even if it results in the worst of consequences. They take the patriarchal slant within the scriptures (which is overwhelming despite the verses you have brought up) as prescriptive for all time rather than descriptive of the ancient context. Overall this is an area of our faith that I think we need to talk about more and thanks again for sharing your thoughts on it.

Casper, Could you explain your question a little bit more. I think I know what you are saying but do not want to mis-respond to your comment. Certainly, this is not just a U.S. issue alone and it is certainly not even an issue that has arisen since the concept of nation-states. This is a rather timeless question always faced by followers of Jesus living in this world under and in political, social and cultural structures of power.