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A Christian Jihad To Match The Islamic Jihad?

 October 26, 2024,

Hi, I was beginning a close reading of Kant's Perpetual Peace when I came upon this thought by the translator, a Miss Mary Campbell Smith:

"This apparent contradiction between the spirit of the new religion and its practical attitude to war has led to some difference of opinion as to the actual teaching of Christ. The New Testament seems, at a superficial glance, to furnish support as readily to the champions of war as to its denouncers. The Messiah is the Prince of Peace (Is. IX. 6, 7; Heb. VI.), and here lies the way of[p. 13] righteousness (Rom. III. 19): but Christ came not to bring peace, but a sword (Matth. X. 34). Such statements may be given the meaning which we wish them to bear—the quoting of Scripture is ever an unsatisfactory form of evidence; but there is no direct statement in the New Testament in favour of war, no saying of Christ which, fairly interpreted, could be understood too regard this proof of human imperfection as less condemnable than any other.[12] When men shall be without sin, nation shall rise up against nation no more. But man the individual can attain peace only when he has overcome the world, when, in the struggle with his lower self, he has come forth victorious. This is the spiritual sword which Christ brought into the world—strife, not with the unbeliever, but with the lower self: meekness and the spirit of the Word of God are the weapons with which man must fight for the Faith." (Kant, Perpetual Peace, Translators Introduction, p. 13)

October 26, 2024, Hi, while I was beginning a close reading of Kant's Perpetual Peace when I came upon this thought by the translator, a Miss Mary Campbell Smith: "This apparent contradiction between the spirit of the new religion and its practical attitude to war has led to some difference of opinion as to the actual teaching of Christ. The New Testament seems, at a superficial glance, to furnish support as readily to the champions of war as to its denouncers. The Messiah is the Prince of Peace (Is. IX. 6, 7; Heb. VI.), and here lies the way of[p. 13] righteousness (Rom. III. 19): but Christ came not to bring peace, but a sword (Matth. X. 34). Such statements may be given the meaning which we wish them to bear—the quoting of Scripture is ever an unsatisfactory form of evidence; but there is no direct statement in the New Testament in favour of war, no saying of Christ which, fairly interpreted, could be understood too regard this proof of human imperfection as less condemnable than any other.[12] When men shall be without sin, nation shall rise up against nation no more. But man the individual can attain peace only when he has overcome the world, when, in the struggle with his lower self, he has come forth victorious. This is the spiritual sword which Christ brought into the world—strife, not with the unbeliever, but with the lower self: meekness and the spirit of the Word of God are the weapons with which man must fight for the Faith." (Kant, Perpetual Peace, Translators Introduction, p. 13) When I first read the passage, and indeed every time since, I have thought of the true Muslim Jihad, the inner quest for perfection. I simply do not know if Judaism also has the true Jihad. But if it does, I'll gladly create a new image with three people! Later today in my blog 'The Politically Incorrect Politics Of Peace' I'll be going into a deeper understanding of this shared Jihad and what it could mean for our world today. Brian
The Jihad Of Peace 

When I first read the passage, and indeed every time since, I have thought of the true Muslim Jihad, the inner quest for perfection and wondered why the Christian and Muslim Jihadists can't come together to create Peace. I simply do not know if Judaism also has the true Jihad. But if it does, I'll gladly create a new image with three people!

Later today in my blog 'The Politically Incorrect Politics Of Peace' I'll be going into a deeper understanding of this shared Jihad and what it could mean for our world today.

Brian 

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