Jessi- I think that we are both asking the same questions when it comes to Global Finance and Trade. The topics that we read do not directly talk about our issue of War etc. but it does talk a little about the push towards pure capitalism and the dissolving of the welfare state. When nation states become so emersed within the global trade aspect of their country I think they tend to forget about the microstructures of their own peoples. People become marginalized and overlooked which leads to resentment and contempt by the people. When they rise up we can have war-like symptoms and agression coming from the marginalized. The govenments want to be idealistic that with the gain of finances there will be a gain of welfare, however the exact opposite has occured.

Reed- Great work in summarizing your point on Pacifism. I will add it to the Wiki this week and if you want to go back and edit it, feel free. I will try to put it in the section dealing with your and David's specific stances in "What is the task of Jesus-followers in response to this problem? And some examples of Jesus-followers in response to this problem.. " Also, I recently heard a lecture on Jesus finding his strength in weakness. The Western form of Christianity is based around might and strength. But Christ's message was never proclaiming his strength over people, or his might, that is a Western invention. Christ proclaimed through his actions that his strength was in his weakness, even Paul says that he finds the most happiness and strength in his weakness... so this might also be a point that you make.