The following article was written by Revd. Frank Carless and published in the Evening Courier on Saturday 10^th October 2009

The agony of going to war

READERS will share a growing anxiety over the war in Afghanistan. With over200 UK soldiers killed and over 10 times that number wounded, the cost of the conflict mounts relentlessly. When and how will it end?

The Government assures the nation the price being paid by the armed forces and their families is necessary for the security of the United Kingdom.

Withdrawal would, it is said, bring nearer terrorism at home. This is or is not taken on trust. Citizens without specialist knowledge cannot judge perfectly the future of a Taliban victory would be for Britain.

Uncertainty tends to undermine resolve. Government assurance would help.

It would be a massive tragedy if the forces overseas ever thought the folk at home were not 100per cent behind them in their struggle. Their courage and sacrifice earn everyone's admiration.

For Christians, war is always an evil. Jesus upheld the principle of non-violence. Love was his watchword. Even of enemies. Suffering would follow the path of “turning the other cheek" or "doing good to those who hate you."

Jesus knew this and experienced it to the full in his ultimate sacrifice. So there is an agonising tension In the Christians thought about war. From the first, Christians have been reluctant warriors, taking up arms only when war seemed the lesser of two evils. But human nature is prone to sin and to bad judgements.

Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace. His will is the harmony of all nations in one family under God the Father.

Frank Carless