My Theology Paper: WMD and Christianity

[MDLarson]

Hey everybody,

I'm finally getting done with my college education... taking a summer school class to finish up. The class is Christian Theology.

I have to write a 15-17 page paper, something that is very difficult for me to do.

Anyways, just wanted to reach out into this diverse crowd to dig up some valuable links / books / ideas that might help me out. Here's my paper thesis (which may change):

To understand the controversy and significance behind weapons of mass destruction in today's political environment, and how a Christian should treat the subject. Special emphasis will be given to nuclear bombs and the United States? role in the nuclear age.

If you want, I can email the paper to those interested in what I come up with! Thanks!

-Matt

[chevy]

Try to define the main words:
weapons
mass destruction
today's political environment
Christian

Then try to find other situations to understand what is specific to your subject : "usual weapons", "yesterday's political environment - WWII as an example", "non-Christian".

Then try to make the difference between the truth, and the communication of the political leaders, and why they communicate on one part of the truth.

Finally see the evolution of weapons over the ages, the evolution of the communication over the ages and the evolution of politics over the ages.

You will have filled the 17 pages before you end the work !

[chabig]

To understand the controversy and significance behind weapons of mass destruction in today's political environment, and how a Christian should treat the subject.

You do realize that this is not a complete sentence?

Beyond that, I really don't understand what you are going to say. It sounds like the thesis is going to be an anti-American rant. If that's what it takes to please your professors, then I guess that's OK. You have to write for your audience.

But what exactly is the "controversy" in "today's political environment"? And why should a Christian care about WMD any more or less than any other deadly weapon? Do you plan to make the case that it's worse to kill 10,000 than it is to kill 100, or even 1? What about the deterrent and defensive uses of WMD, which no doubt can save lives?

Chevy is right. Start writing and the next thing you know, you'll have way more than 17 pages.

Chris

[ScottW]

Is the professor a Christian? Nothing like being taught how to cook chineese from someone who grew up in France.

You could take a different approach to this, and obviously this all depends on your beliefs, but food for thought none-the-less.

My understanding on the "paper" is different than my friends on here who have already replied. It appears to me the issue is, "What should be a Christian's stance or viewpoint in light of the WMD issues facing the world and how does this differ (if in fact it does, it may not) from the world view point or non-Christian view point at large."

If I were you, here is what I would research and how I would go about writing the paper.

1) Take a look through the Bible at different stories in history and events that have to do with war, and God's view point on the subject.

2) Review revelations and the book of Daniel and research the possible matches to "future events" in reference to nuclear war. Things to look for are "wormwood" which is the Russian word for Chernobyl (sp??) and things like tourches coming from the sky (resembling possible missles coming down to earth), etc.

3) I would explain that in light of past events and future events in prophecy that may indeed relate to global, thermal, nuclear war that the two subjects, nuclear war and Christianity are really two seperate issues... and the fact that any country has the right to defend itself whether it be having those weapons or stopping others from obtaining them.

Not sure if that made any sense at all, I am trying to take care fo a little girl right now while writing this and not that easy.

[chevy]

One thing you have to do before making any affirmation, is to try to understand the point of view of the ones that have a different opinion. A good exercise is to look at a conflict were no Christian is directly involved: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. You will see how different cultures considere mass destruction, what is their effect on the war and peace processes.

The next big thing in theology is to look at what happend until now (review your history): this may enlight the strict reading of the written words. The term mass destruction changed its meaning during the time. Look at the war between Christians in Europe (End of middle age, WW I) and how the local church explained the genocides (against evangelists, against catholics) that ended the middle-age, and later the usage of death gas during WW I.

[Arden]

To understand the controversy and significance behind weapons of mass destruction in today's political environment, and how a Christian should treat the subject. Special emphasis will be given to nuclear bombs and the United States? role in the nuclear age.

Controversy? What controversy is there? Who should have them? Who shouldn't? Whether they are buried in Iraq or in Syria? Why we went after an Arab country with no apparent weapons instead of an Asian country outwardly brandishing them?

Now for significance: Of course, you always have the possibility of someone using WMD's on another country. But what other significance can you attach to them? That they instill fear in other countries? That they give madmen a feeling of power? That they can kill lots and lots of people at once?

How is today's political environment more important than yesterday's? tomorrow's? What about WMD's from the past? Remember, the only country to nuke another country to date was in WWII. What about that political environment?

Why would a Christian treat the subject differently than anyone else? Do not the Muslims have an opinion? Do not I, as a Jew? Okay, that's not the issue. But why don't you approach this as how people from some of the major religions approach the issue, rather than just Christians? After all, over 2 billion people consider themselves (or are considered) Christian, so there can't be any single way to define a Christian. How do Roman Catholics approach the subject? Mormons? Greek Orthodox? Unitarian Universalists?

Plainly and simply, the United States defined the nuclear age, and of course we are the only nuclear aggressors. If we had not developed nukes first, someone else would have, but we in our "righteousness" have the knowledge and wisdom to know when and on whom to use them. What about other WMD's, though? What about biological agents? chemicals? What about nonphysical weapons, like propaganda? spam? email virii?

I hope this helps you see why your thesis is a bunch of bull—I mean, develop your thesis more fully and completely.

[acidtuch10]

I think you should talk about this subject in third party. Look in from the outside, and judge accordingly. There is no right / wrong, but just opinions. The problem is when writing a paper "opinions matter" and can effect your grade. So Do, so from an objective, third point/person of view. Cover the basis and be ready to ask / answer questions, because this is a very controversial subject ( religion and weapons No matter what religion or ethnicity ) are subject to opinion and controversy... But hey this is my opinion :-) Good luck ~ going to be a big paper !! Would you mind posting it when done?


Thx
Acid

[MDLarson]

Acid, I'll consider posting it, but I'd rather email or PM it to interested parties.

Chevy, you don't understand the context of this paper. The class is Christian Theology. Everyone in the class is a Christian, including the professor. The definition of a Christian has been defined...

Man, I gotta go to class. I'll be back later today to get more of my thoughts out.