Draft?

There has been a new resolution proposed in the United States House of Representatives by NY Congressmen Charles Rangel

Here is the text of the bill.

There have been many proposals brought up at different times in recent history which have offered a reinstatement of the draft…but in this period of widespread conflict and the war on terrorism, who knows what’s next.

What I do know is that Christians have the responsibility to obey the laws of the country they reside in in light of the commands of Christ. There is an important distinction here. While Christ is clear on paying taxes and other aspects of Christian-state relations, he is even clearer on what he expects of those who call themselves his followers:

Matthew 5:44 – But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…

Luke 6:27-28 – But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

So no matter what the nation you are living in is proposing and legislating, remember the words of the King of the Age to Come.

There is a section of that resolution that allows for “Conscientious Objector” which would allow for disqualification from service or a peaceful alternative service. I don’t think that someone suddenly scared to go into a war zone who fakes a “sincerely held religious belief” will be accepted – but rather those who for a definite period of time can document this belief.

One should not wait until the draft is instituted to start feeling this way about war, violence and one’s enemies. Someone who is naming the name of Christ should start feeling this way now because of his commands.