Veteran, with powerful symbol, quietly stands his ground on war

[MORTARDUDE]

http://www.gomemphis.com/mca/america...834462,00.html

Veteran, with powerful symbol, quietly stands his ground on war
By Jacinthia Jones
jjones@gomemphis.com
March 24, 2003

Leo Pope wore a tiny pin on the lapel of his suit Sunday bearing the image of six Marines raising the flag on top of Mt. Suribachi at Iwo Jima during World War II.

It was small statement reflecting his stance on the war with Iraq.

"It's been a long time coming," Pope said after leaving the early worship service at Germantown Baptist Church.

"I personally believe if the Iraqis haven't (already) been helping the al-Qaida it's only a matter of time," said the 78-year-old World War II veteran who was wounded in Saipan.

Pope's sentiment in support of the war was echoed by other church members who attended the service on the first Sunday after the invasion of Iraq. But several people who were approached by a reporter declined to be interviewed, saying they preferred to keep their thoughts to themselves.

Some men wore patriotic red, white and blue neckties to service. Other people signed up to become "prayer warriors" to pray for the dozens of military people whose names had been posted on a wall erected in the center lobby of the church.

"I served in Vietnam, and I see this as being a similar situation," said Larry Smith, 57. "Sometimes Christians as well as others have to take (military) action."

Earlier, Dr. Sam Shaw preached on "The Christian Attitude to War," telling worshipers that sometimes it was all right to go war in order to preserve freedom or to protect innocent people.

But Shaw warned that as individuals, people should not seek revenge. It was the job of the government, he said, to "protect and defend."

"God put the power of force into the hands of the government to protect those who would be victims," he said. "When we act to defend ourselves in the line with the Bible, it's noble."

In his message, he said Christians should seek peace, pray for those making the decisions, support each other and trust in God to take care of the situation.

Shaw also said he did not believe Jesus was a pacifist, eschewing war at all cost. "You never see Jesus or John the Baptist telling soldiers to leave the Army and follow me," he said. "Christians want peace, but they also want justice," he said. "But peace at any price is not peace, it's appeasement."

Then Shaw reminded members of another war going on, "a rescue operation" even more important than the war with Iraq.

"That war is the war for the souls of people, the war between God and Satan. The devil is trying to pull people away from God."



- Jacinthia Jones: 529-2780