Childrean are the true spiritual geniuses of our world. So wonderful that you have such a tender heart for them.

We look at war from the perspective of matter, where things can get murky. If you look at war from the perspective of spirit, it never makes sense. Our worldly (apelike) inclinations are behind war, not our spiritual inclinations.

It’s not just the other cheeck. There are numerous references to how violence should never be used.

When a town rejected Jesus’ teachings the disciples asked if they should pray to have fire destroy them, and Jesus reprimanded them, saying you don’t know what spirit you are of, because the son of man came to save people not destroy them. (Luke 9:54-56)

Love your enemies, be kind to those who harm you (Luke 6:27-31)

Even spiritual violence is a no no: Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement (Matthew 5:21-22)

And Jesus didn’t OK violence and war to save his own life. When they came for him and one of his followers cut off the ear of someone, Jesus said put your sword back in place, for all who live by the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:52).

So why are our causes so much more than Jesus’ cause? If violence and war didn’t work for him, why should they work for us?

So I find Jesus’ teachings on violence clear cut: NO violence for NO reason EVER!!

No, I do not think it was righteous for Lincoln to wage war. Just because good things can come from war doesn’t mean it’s OK. And I think the seeds of our current spiritual collapse can be traced to the violence of the World Wars.