How can this be a just war? Dissent in Bush Country

Yes, the reasons are always good, especially when explained by a handsome, earnest Christian president from Texas looking you in the eye through your television screen.

They were good, too, for all of history's expanding empires as they dragged their trusting subjects into central government domination, confiscatory taxation, moral breakdown, multiplied foreign enemies and, finally, slaughter and sorrow and widowhood and orphanhood.

May Christians remember that a crucified Jesus Christ was God's remedy for the evil powers that animate wicked men and nations.

Let us purpose to fast, pray for and serve lands like Iraq caught in the grip of such forces. Let us commit to go to those lands and, if necessary, lay down our lives while armed not with an M-16 but with John 3:16.