TJP,

That was expressed so well.  Thank you for your insightful, balanced response.  I was tempted to answer the question myself, and I would have said what you said - but not as eloquently.  Instead, I decided to pass on this one and hope someone else would take up the torch.  I'm glad you did.

Your response suggested that there is never a time or place for Christians to engage in war.  I would disagree with this posture.  However, I whole-heartedly agree that if a nation would repent and humble itself before God, He would intervene and make the need for acts of war less common.  And the times when a "righteous" nation goes to war would be more clearly justified.

Having said that, I am not in the camp that thinks the US should get out of Iraq.  It is obvious that there are serious bigger, global matters going on than Dick Cheney wanting to control oil for personal profit.  To put it bluntly: THIS is peace!  The next president, no matter who that will be, already knows that the troops cannot come out of Iraq anytime soon, or peace will be a forgotten word the world over.

Anyway, I concur with your response.   I hope it helps many believers get to the real point about their personal walk with the Lord.  It confirmed what I have been thinking lately.  Thanks.