Christian chaplain fired for preaching compassion and love over violence of American Sniper

[octoberlib]

ZAID JILANI, ALTERNET
07 MAR 2015 AT 02:31 ET

On February 10th, MidAmerica Nazarene University’s (MNU) chaplain Randy Beckum gave his morning sermon, which wasn’t unusual – it was his job. But what was different that day was the response to the sermon – as one student paper put it, the sermon sparked an “outcry” and a torrent of criticism particularly on social media. The criticism ranged from complaints that Beckum had politicized his sermons to the idea that he had insulted Christians who served in the military.

Beckum’s sermon that day was about America’s addiction to violence, citing the film “American Sniper” as a symptom of that, and how this was problematic for Christianity, a religion founded on the ideals of nonviolence. Here’s an excerpt:

As you know two movies came out recently. Selma, the story of one of the 20th century most influential Christian leaders, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who led a non-violent movement that changed the course of American History forever. And American Sniper, the story of the most deadly Navy SEAL sniper in American history. Selma has made 29-30 million so far. American Sniper made over 103 million in the first 4 days. Gives you an idea about who our heroes are. I don’t think it is an under-statement to say that our culture is addicted to violence, guns, war, revenge and retaliation. Unfortunately, so are a lot of Christians.

He went on to say that we have to “be very careful about equating patriotism with Christianity,” and implored his flock to be “controlled by love, compelled by love for everyone.” Shortly after Beckum’s sermon, it was announced that he would no longer be the vice president of the university’s Community Foundation. Although the university president claimed Beckum had previously expressed interest in stepping down from that position, his daughter disputes this assertion.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/03/christian-chaplain-fired-for-preaching-compassion-and-love-over-violence-of-american-sniper/

[Jake Stern]

1. Kyle is lauded because he channeled his

bloodlust into a socially acceptable form of killing.

Had he shot people from the top of an apartment building in Houston these same people would be calling for his execution.

The only fundamental difference between the two is that one has the law on it's side and the other doesn't.

[n2doc]

2. Law is only a function of power

Kyle had overwhelming force on his side. Not law, or justice, or anything else. Just the power of the US military, which decided to impose its will on Iraq for a time.

[MisterP]

5. "because I do it with a petty ship, I am called a robber, whilst thou who dost it with a great fleet

art styled emperor"

--some saint or other

[sabrina 1]

6. And he shot brown people, 'camel jockeys' and I won't post all the other racist terms they used to

justify the slaughter of other human beings, IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

It's disgusting though I don't believe it is everyone.

When Christians start acting like the man whose name they have taken, then there will be more like this man.

But he spoke the truth and these days, I am told right here on DU, there is no such thing as 'truth'.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

3. The military needs to replace chaplains with,

psychiatrists!

[awoke_in_2003]

4. How dare he preach...

about peace and love If Christ existed (I don't think he did/does- no jab at those who do), and were around today, many Christians would be leading the charge to nail him to a cross.

[Wella]

7. It sounds like the chaplain had a Christian message

And the point he makes about America's addiction to violence is well taken. The school that fired him has lost its Christian mooring and is worshiping some other "deity" (public relations, acceptability, etc.)