jakemalloy.com

Yesterday a man (assuming from the name) left a comment on an old post on my Vox.  He didn’t leave a link, but this is what he said:

““What we need are men who hold fast to oaths when taken. How about, take up the weapon, man the post and do your duty like you agreed? That is integrity and courage. ” Integrity is sorely lacking in our society and Malloy’s own word and reputation should have mattered more to him. But unfortunately, our society has been watered down from such traditional values and concerns to the point where people just don’t even question such lack of integrity. The argument that religion justifies it seems false to me. The Bible is all about integrity, even if adherents don’t live up to it all the time. And it also has just causes for war and military service and even instructs respect and obedience to the authorities and governments because GOD has allowed them to be put in that place. They may not be perfect, but when God wants them out, they will be, in the meantime, we are called to obey. So in this case, our friend Jake has really fallen short even of the ideals he claims he possesses.”

Since previously in the comments I had discussed my reason for “going back on my word,” though not to Mr. (Dr.?) Schmidt’s approval, I am not going to express that again.  I do want to say that I can certainly appreciate his sadness at the lack of integrity for which my generation has become known.  We should always be saddened by a lack of integrity and should always be prepared to question those who seem to have lacked.  And I do mean question rather than condemn; for our own humility should prevent us from too quickly assuming the worst.

I do understand that because you see a justification for war, you feel my revocation of promise is unjustified.  But surely, you can appreciate that because I do not any longer have justification for war, that I could not in faith fulfill my obligation as originally described.  If a professional hitman had promised to assassinate a certain person, yet before the appointed time that hitman became a Christ follower, I have to imagine we would not site a lack of integrity if he did not fulfill his assignment.  Before this example is dismissed as irrelevant, I ask that my position be taken into account.  I am under the impression that war is unjust.  I imagine you would not do something you believe to be wrong, because you promised to do it.
I do want you to know that I value integrity.  That is why my wife and I’s life is increasingly transparent, as evidenced in part by our online budget.   Thank you for valuing integrity as well.

For any who have questions about my ethic and devotion as a Christ follower please do not hesitate to ask me about something.  I hope if you read this, Mr. Schmidt, it will ease your conscience.