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This episode shows up a flawed theology in segments of American Protestantism. The flaw is that some evangelical and liberal Protestants seem unable to draw a clear line between the spiritual and the secular realms.

If they knew this difference, it would never occur to them to hurt children because they disagreed with someone's politics. Whatever Schroeder or Chirac do in the current conflict is secular in character. But children, like strangers, are under God's special protection, the Bible tells us.

Perhaps someone ought to tell this to the self-righteous of Tennessee; it's helpful for salvation.

Uwe Siemon-Netto is religion editor for United Press International.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

For more coverage on the current conflict, commentary and thought on just war, or Christian debate, see our CTWar in Iraq archive.

Other relevant Christianity Today essays include:

Taking It Personally | What do we do with all this anger? (Sept. 14, 2001)

When Sin Reigns | An event like 9/11 shows us what humans are capable of becoming—both as children of darkness and of light. (Sept. 13, 2001)

Fear and Hate | In times like this, as in all other times, Christians have a responsibility to love above all else. (Sept. 11, 2001)

God's Message in the Language of Events | In the face of evil, we must focus on keeping our hearts right. (Sept. 11, 2001)

A downloadable Bible study on the implications of war with Iraq is available at CurrentIssuesBibleStudy.com. These unique Bible studies use articles from current issues of Christianity Today to prompt thought-provoking discussions in adult Sunday school classes or small groups.

Recent Christianity Today articles and commentary on the current war with Iraq include:

The Iraq War Has Little Effect on the Rapture Index | The founder of an online end times "speedometer" says that other current events are more connected to biblical prophecy.  (March 27, 2003)

'The End Is Not Yet' | The president of Dallas Theological Seminary says there will be an increase in wars and rumors of wars before the end times, but date setting should not be a priority for evangelicals.  (March 27, 2003)

Evangelicals Plan to Minister to Iraqis' Needs—Physical and Spiritual | Evangelism efforts will join relief work, say Southern Baptist Convention and Samaritan's Purse. (March 27, 2003)

Relief Agencies Prepare to Help Iraqi Refugees | Meanwhile Christians in Baghdad fear the worst. (March 26, 2003)

Weblog: Newspapers Miss the Real End-Times Story | Evangelicals believe this is the end, say papers. Oh really? (March 25, 2003)

CT Classic: The Ethics of Desert Storm | What Christianity Today said during the U.S.'s first war with Iraq. (March 25, 2003)

War Isn't Being Waged From the Pulpit | Most clergy avoid blanket statements on war. (March 24, 2003)

CT Classic: War Cry | As 1991's Gulf War began, a Christianity Today editorial said the church's best weapon was tearful prayer. (March 24, 2003)

What George Bush's Favorite Devotional Writer Says About War | "War is the most damnably bad thing," wrote Oswald Chambers. (March 24, 2003)

Peacemakers Seek to Show War from Point of View of Iraqi Civilians | Six Christian Peacemaker Team members remain in Iraq as bombs drop. (March 21, 2003)

Speaking Out: Where Do We Go From Here? | Now that the bombs are falling, we'll need to repair Iraq—and our nation's moral standing. (March 21, 2003)

CT Classic: Weeping over Baghdad | Desert Storm cost Iraq thousands of lives. At its conclusion, a Christianity Today editorial called for the church to deal with the living souls that remained. (March 21, 2003)

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March (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47