A council of religious advisers discussed issues of Christian pacifism, war and peace in Islam, and the Christian just-war doctrine with about 30 audience members at the Teachers' College Monday night.
Amy Marie Babcock of Friends Memorial Church, Abdullah F. Rahman, a Ball State assistant professor of geography and Mark Pike from the Christian Student Foundation shared their views on war.
"Christ has called us not only to love our neighbor but our enemy as well," Babcock said.
Babcock read the Quaker Pacifist Doctrine, which supports peace in all cases.
"The scary part of using non-violence is that we don't know how it is going to end," Babcock said.
"I believe there is a context where use of force is appropriate and responsible," Pike said. "Use of force can make peace."
Pike used references from the Bible to make his point that force is necessary under God and that sometimes people should "respond to murder by killing the murderer."
Rahman said Islam is a "religion of peace." He explained that Muslims exchange a greeting translated to "peace be unto you" every time they meet.
"The term 'jihad' is often mistakenly translated as 'holy war,' though it actually means 'struggle,'" Rahman said.
Rahman said, "In order to establish peace, war may be necessary."
He said that war is justified on five principles: war against oppression, war in defense of one's own people, war against foreign oppression, fighting for the cause of justice and truth, and war of law enforcement.
Rahman said Muslims may fight until oppression is over, but they are not allowed to be the aggressors. Rahman said he does not support the war in Iraq.
"Saddam Hussein is one of the most ruthless people who ever lived," he said. "But at the time he was gassing his own people in 1982, [the United States] really didn't resist him."
Rahman said that media desensitizes people.
"It's almost like a video game," he said.
"Thousands of people died [in the war on Iraq] and almost nobody mentioned it," said Rahman.
Rahman grew up in Bangladesh and recalls bombs knocking down a corner of his house while he was in it.
"If one didn't live in war, it is hard to imagine what happened," he said.
Rahman said people often forget that Muslims and Christians have lived together in peace for far longer than they have been at war.
An audience member asked Pike what people can do to help their leaders recognize threats before the event of war is necessary.
When Pike couldn't think of an answer, Babcock said, "We need just economic policies."
Rahman said, "We need not support those dictators."
Pike was frequently left without answers.
An audience member commented to Rahman that the "Iraqis were celebrating their liberation" and tore down the statue of Saddam. Rahman responded by saying that people "need to look at other forms of media."
Though Rahman said there are no proven ties between Sept. 11 and Saddam Hussein, there was one positive outcome that came from the terrorist attack.
"Both sides are now trying to learn more about each other," he said.
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