On Guns: Or, Why I Am Not a Pacifist

Earlier this week, writing in response to my discussion of chaplains on the 700 Club, a reader made the following comment:

[Y]our concluding statement is stunning: “religious liberty and faith is a critical part of the warrior ethos.” Even in the just war tradition (which I don’t hold, but assume you do), how can you defend this? Perhaps I’m foolish to try and engage in dialogue with you, since your “about the French Revolution” description shows me that my sentimental pacifist regard for the Jesus ethos probably won’t get very far.

While his reference to pacifism as the “Jesus ethos” was likely calculated to get a rise out of me, his comment does require a thoughtful response.  To begin, I’ll go to the same source that inspired Nancy’s Corner post this week.  I’m speaking, of course, of the 1980s sitcom, Family Ties.