War, more than any other area garnered strong consensus for both major political party candidates. Drones in particular had both candidates drooling over their continued use in the Jim Lehrer debate, and the President seems poised to expand their deployment into the west African country of Mali and likely beyond.
Sadly, the President may actually believe his re-election signals a “mandate” for him to continue in this direction. With only 26% of eligible US voters personally selecting the President (60 million out of a possible 230 million), I’m not sure “mandate” is the right word. This is certainly a core reason I could not vote for President Obama.
Nor is there a consensus for use of drones beyond those whose fingers are on the trigger. Here’s a sampling of the debate:
Recent critical pieces include a study called Psychological effects of drone warfare (pointing out ¼ of those killed were citizens); “The Permanent Militarization of America” (a professor at the Naval Academy decries our unquestioned allegiance to a “daily diet of stories that valorize the military” and applaud drone warfare); Drones terrorize families in Pakistan , “death by robot” and Obama’s second term foreign policy and a great article on why you didn’t hear anything about November 3, 2012 as being the 10th anniversary of our “Third War.”
And then there’s the church. What are we as followers of Jesus saying about drone warfare? Consensus there is not, with voices running the gamut from support to protest.
Take the protest piece from The American Conservative, “Pro-Life means Anti-Drone“. Which asks,
“for pro-lifers, there must be a question: If life is sacred, how can we justify killing so many innocent children? Some might say, “Well, that’s just war. We make mistakes.” Yet, I don’t know a single pro-lifer who would agree with rectifying the mistake of an unplanned pregnancy by making yet another mistake in terminating that pregnancy.”
Or the Texas Baptists, whose complex indictment (not as sharp as above) assumes moral complicity,
“We do not like to think of our drone attacks as taking innocent lives. While we kill “bad guys,” we also apparently are killing “good guys,” as well. Because of our views regarding the sanctity of life, we cannot easily dismiss such circumstances.”
The National Catholic Reporter clearly calls drones “wrong” but also wonders where the bishops have been on this core issue.
“Because they are indiscriminate in their damage, drones are a disproportionate tool. And the fear they inspire is as likely to engender new participants as to successfully end violence.”
Christianity Today reported that in the UK, a number of churches (United Methodists, etc…) oppose drone warfare and are intentionally distancing themselves from the United States as an act of faithfulness. The article states this is “the ethical issue of our time.”
On the support end of the spectrum, here’s an excellent Just War defense of and support for drone warfare. “Yes, Drone Strikes are Legal and Moral, written by evangelicals David and Nancy French is quickly dismissive of pacifist critiques and is “puzzled” by other Christians who protest drone use.
When I read their blog, it was quickly apparent that their support came from a uniquely different foundation than critical religious voices mentioned. These differences in foundation are why I felt such a deep disconnect with their argument. I think there are two major differences I’ve come across in those who religiously support, and those who oppose drone warfare.
First, what are the appropriate sources and tools that would ensure a faithful Christian interpretation of drone warfare? The French’s pro-drone argument, supposedly “Christian,” is 100% based on politics, legislation and philosophy rather than scripture or theology. I’m not saying they have no basis in Christian tradition, but rather a theological justification for drone warfare would be shaped quite differently. The philosophical tool of Just War grants seemingly different results than pro-life hermeneutics or a Jesus-centered ethic. In other words, if a Christian ethical critique is valid, it matters not what is allowed under UN law. One wonders how important the core Christian belief in the authority of scripture (of allowing Scripture to interpret and guide life, and not the other way around) should be in a discussion of this magnitude?
Second, and more importantly is the context within which you are standing: are we interpreting the issue of drone warfare as citizens of our Nation, or as members of the Body of Christ? Protest voices almost exclusively find their critique by viewing the issue from the perspective of the church, whereas supporters allow church to melt into the background and primarily (exclusively?) take a nation-state centered approach.
For instance, the French’s primary question betrays this posture, “Are we lawfully and appropriately engaged in a state of war?” The question of legality (and limiting morality to it) is only possible when you assume the proper response is a national response (we are citizens, and we must support our nation). But does this not too strongly distance the US church from her core mission in our world? In other words, what if God’s will is broader than the protection of only one country that happens to be ours? The Pro-Life, Anti-Drone article above begs the question, can you act as both citizen and Christian at the same time? We can’t kill their 4 year olds to defend our own, then send them a loaf of bread as an act of charity in the name of Christ.
What is a distinctly church-based response to drones? Our acceptance or critique of drone warfare seems to hinge on that question. (Here is another church-based response, posted earlier on my blog).
How have your own sources (philosophy, politics, scripture, theology) and posture (national, church-based) played a role in your interpretation of drone warfare? What sources and posture should the church take in interpreting drone warfare? What does your Houston Church think about drones?
Marty Troyer empowers people to choose Jesus’ narrative as pastor of Houston Mennonite Church. You can join us anytime in Spring Branch or visit us online at houstonmennonite.org. Follow Marty on Twitter and Facebook.
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