I'm not sure which one is your "My God, my Bible, my teaching", but I am aware of a bizarre religious sect that you would probably do a good job to avoid.
Believe it or not, there is an oddball religion which advances a doctrine that their God allowed precisely that - the slaughter of his own innocent child - precisely for the reason of providing forgiveness.
You wouldn't last long among religious nuts like that, whose beliefs appear to be the exact opposite of yours.
Had this story played out to be true, and you can find in your heart to forgive the slaughter of children in the name of Jihad or whatever religious principle, the more power to you.
If your heart forgives the daily suicide bombers and the car bomb attacks that have killed tens of thousands of civilians in Iraq, Afghanistan, nations in Africa, and other nations across the globe, then more power to you. Because that is powerful mojo.
As a former veteran who has witnessed death firsthand all for the sake of some political or religious cause and now someone who has dedicated their life to serve, aide, and preserve life as a medical professional, I can not forgive those that kill and slaughter and maim and abuse children.
If I am to be condemned bacause I can not find in my heart to forgive those that slaughter the innocent for any cause, then that is something I will have to deal with in the end. But until you have experienced this firsthand (perhaps you have) or have worked for hours on end attempting to save the life of a child (perhaps you have) all the while hoping and praying for that child and the parents, then perhaps you can understand my feelings.
If people had followed the 10 Commandments set forth from the same God both you and I are referencing, including the one that says
Though Shall Not Kill things would be a whole lot less complicated. 10 basic rules, 10 basic principles, 10 basic laws.
If kings and queens fought their own wars, there would be no wars.
Yes, as members of the Christian faith we believe that God gave his only child that all may be forgiven. But to take that and put it in the context of the needless slaughter seen on a global scale by suicide bombers and terroist attacts that we are witnessing day in and day out...I'm not sure this is forgiveness that God was intending. Not that I am questioning God and his intent, but this is the same God who stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son Isaac.
Because of my convictions, my faith, and my dedication to helping others and preserving life, I have lasted quite well "among religious nuts like that" and being part of them.
If I had a rocket launcher
If I had a rocket launcher
If I had a rocket launcher... Some son of a bitch would die
I am a fan and very familiar with Bruce Cockburn. I applaud his efforts to raise awareness of the situation of refugees and victims of landmines.
That particular song references helicopter attacks by the military of Guatemala on refugee camps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_cockburn
As far as casual radio listeners were concerned, however, these concerns became evident only with Cockburn's second radio hit, in 1984, the song If I Had a Rocket Launcher from the Stealing Fire album. He had written the song a year earlier, after visiting Guatemalan refugee camps in Mexico that were attacked before and after his visit by Guatemalan military helicopters. His political activism continues to the present: Cockburn has traveled to many countries (from Mozambique to Iraq), played countless benefits, and written many songs on a variety of political subjects ranging from the International Monetary Fund to landmines. His internationalist bent is reflected in the many "world music" touches (reggae, Latin, etc.) found in his music.
Again, references to the slaughter of children and civilians. No one, no country can claim innocence or colateral damage when it comes to this.
"'And they brought young children to Him, that He should touch them: and His disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them,
Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God' (Mark 10:13-14).
