Area pastors and church members share opinions, feelings about war
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
GARDINER — The Rev. Peter Inchcombe says any Bible scholar will tell you armed conflict in the Middle East is one of several precursors that lead to the battle of Armageddon and the end of civilization.
Mesopotamia, the ancient name of the area that includes both Israel and Iraq, is known as the cradle of civilization. It also is the area the Bible says mankind will fight its last battle in the plains of Meggido in northern Israel.
Inchcombe, who is the pastor at the First Baptist Church of Hallowell, feels this week's invasion of Iraq is significant to the end-of-time scenario outlined in the Bible.
"It is my opinion that the invasion is biblically significant as it relates to the last times," Inchcombe said. "It could be a trigger to the rise of the antichrist and the battle of Armageddon."
While his church members prayed regularly for a peaceful solution in Iraq, the Rev. Brad Puckett, pastor at Kennebec Valley Assembly of God in Augusta, said he is not upset Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein may soon be brought forcibly to justice.
He quoted Edmund Burke: "The only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Puckett said his church continues to pray and will be eager to get involved in helping Iraqi people in the war's aftermath.
The Rev. Jacob Fles, rector at Christ Church in Gardiner, said his church has had ongoing discussions about the conflict, but that he is trying to keep his pulpit clear of the politics of the war.
"We are trying to let people prayerfully come to their own conclusions and offering the church as a place where people can find solace and comfort," Fles said.
Fles is a member of the Gardiner Area Ministerial Association, and says those members are split about 50/50 on the morality of going to war.
He said the ministers have agreed to create safe places for parishioners to express their feelings and offer prayers.
Fles said the association sponsored a prayer vigil two weeks ago that was attended by more than 120 people.
This Sunday, the association is sponsoring an event, "Prayer for Peace in a Time of Conflict" at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Gardiner. It is and is open to all. A number of area churches are keeping their doors open during the day to allow people to come in to reflect and pray.
Gardiner resident Rick Pottle, a sergeant in the Maine Army National Guard, said he stands ready to serve his country in the event that he is called to the conflict. Pottle, a member of Spears Corner Baptist Church in West Gardiner, said he supports President Bush in his attempt to get rid of a dictator willing to use and distribute weapons of mass destruction.
"Scripture teaches that government was ordained by God to protect the people. After what happened to the United States on 9/11 we have every right to go over and protect ourselves," Pottle said.
Nine-year-old Paige Rolfe of Farmingdale said she desired a peaceful solution but concedes force is sometimes a tragic necessity.
"I think that it is probably a good idea that we went to war; if we don't get them first they might get us," Rolfe said. "I think it will make the United States safer."
Her greater concern was for the people of Iraq, especially the children. Rolfe said she would join with the other young people at Spears Corner Baptist Church to send care packages to Iraq as they did to Afghanistan last Christmas.