Mouse, a Christian killing in the name of Jesus is in direct contradiction to the teachings and more importantly, the living example of Jesus Christ and the Apostles. If a Pope declares a war, it is without any precedent in Jesus or the Apostles actions. To find any sort of justification for a war, a Christian must go to the
old testament.
A shady proposition, because
Christians are living under the new testament, not the old. Like an amendment to a constitution, the New Testament overrides the old if there is a seeming contradiction between the two.
On the other hand, if a Muslim Caliph declares a war, it has precedence in the actions of Muhammad, and in his teachings. You CAN find justification and encouragement of war and Martyrdom in the Qu'ran and in the Hadith.
Need I point out that the first example in the post you cited was in 315AD? 300 odd years after the Christian Church was started.
More than enough time for inconsistency between Jesus teachings and peoples actions in the name of Jesus to creep in.
The key words here are
inconsistencies with teachings.
It is a simple issue to look through Jesus teaching and notice hypocrisy in a person claiming to follow him, yet killing people who hit him on the cheek for example.
You can do the same thing with Islam. When you see a child blow themself up, the mother and father claim that they are proud and honoured that their child has become a martyr for Allah, when you hear the Palestinian Imams sing similar praises, it is a simple matter toi go and check the Qu'ran to find similar inconsistencies with the teachings.
What you will find is that in all the Qu'ran, being killed while fighting in the name of Allah is the only assurance of salvation mentioned.
This is the point I'm making, and the reason why we have a problem.
It all makes sense. Without understanding that mindset, the violence is "insane" "unthinkable" and "mad". How do we stop something we don't understand? Suicide terrorists are unspeakably evil and mad. Right?
Or are they pursuing a course of action that within their worldview will give them eternal bliss in heaven?
The battle as the bible puts it, is not one of Flesh and Blood, but spirit. Peoples minds and souls.
To create lasting peace in an individual - and thus with a collection of people - it is not enough to simply change an external situation. An inner transformation of perception and spirit must take place. This is why Jesus died, and why he didn't simply set up a Jewish kingdom that say kicked out the Romans. (To the chagrin of the Zealots)
