A Falseness Of Pacifism

A BOOK REVIEW

Fahey, Joseph J.
War & the Christian Conscience: Where Do You Stand?
Orbis Books; Maryknoll, NY:; 2005
ISBN -13: 978-1-53075-583-5

This volume presents itself as a “fair and balanced” discussion of violence, conscience, war, pacifism and related issues. However, there are enough errors-of-fact, twisted facts and half-truths (Worse than lies in my view), neglected sources and like weaknesses to allow a fair reader any conclusion other than it is an apologia for pacifism. Some of these issues are provided below.
Fahey lumps together Jews, Christians and Muslims in a essentially like group, falling into a major error of this era.

The Jews entered into a “covenant” (A contract) with the Almighty one. Tyrants do not enter into such contracts; But, rule with total disregard as to the welfare of his subjects. G_d punished and punishes violators of that contract; But, Jews were known to complain to Him of His abuse of “His People”.
The teachings of the Christ presented a family model for the Faith, with a Father, Son, uniting Holy Spirit and, even a mother in Mary, The People were encouraged to consider themselves as part of the Body of Christ in a more intimate-than-family relationship. The Triune God is forgiving, but just, in his actions and judgments, allowing free will and its freedom to fail or succeed an inherent part of humanity.
Islam worships an Allah (So unlike that of Christian Arabs) who is arbitrary, not obeying even his own laws or pronouncements, full of violence and evil. The ideology of Islam teaches that it is allowed or encouraged, and sometimes commanded, to use murder, rape-and-enslavement, genocide, perpetual war with “unbelievers” and the other horrors inflicted upon the world by Mohammed.
Mr. Faley ignores the other two, just and essentially peaceful and monotheistic religions, that of the Baha'i and the Sikhs. The latter group, although being essentially peaceful, know that they have a Natural Law right to self-defense and a duty to defend others. Where the law allows they wear swords and knives to remind themselves of the above. (Their last Guru, in fact, died in the defense of Hindus.)

In discussion the De Laude Novae Militae of St. Bernard of Clairvaux (A “Doctor Of The Church”) Mr. Fahey was very selective in the one verse he selected. He might better have chosen” :The knights of Christ, I say, may strike with confidence and die yet more confidently, for he serves Christ when he strikes and serves himself when he falls. Neither does he bear his sword in vain, for he is God's minister, for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of the good. If he kills an evildoer, he is not a mankiller; But, if I may so put it, a killer of evil. He is evidently the avenger of Christ