Last Wednesday, MPs voted 397 to 223 in favour of going to war in Syria. The decision has been made. There is little point continuing the same arguments about whether we should or we shouldn't launch air strikes. We have chosen to do so. So now we need to commit and see it through to the end. If that means committing ground troops, then we should not shy away from doing so.
As a story on this website reported, Christian MPs were torn on the decision. For some, their theology means war can never be justified. For others, it is a regrettable necessity of life in a fallen world. Whatever our personal views we should respect those who differ from us. Labelling opponents of air strikes 'terrorist sympathisers' is unhelpful and unnecessary. Supporting air strikes does not make you more patriotic than advocating peaceful solutions.
So I deeply respect the view of Christians who cannot support military action. But I myself believe the right course of action was taken. We are already at war in Iraq and we voted to extend existing air strikes to include sorties over Syria. Rightly it was observed during the debate that intervention does not always work. However, in this case we face a formidable enemy. The brutality of Daesh against anyone they view as infidels is shockingly violent. Anyone who does not adhere to their worldview is the enemy. Their sickening reliance upon murder to strike fear into opponents and make news headlines is a backward, dangerous and despicable approach to achieve their twisted aims. I have heard some say we should try and understand what Daesh want. I think we already know what they want and it must be fought.
Underpinning my view on the regrettable necessity of launching air strikes in Syria is the principle of a 'just war'. A government can take action to defend the freedoms of its citizens. As Hilary Benn pointed out in his powerful speech the situation facing us is extremely complex, but at its heart a key question, how a government protects its people. In Romans Paul explicitly argues for the need for laws to prevent evil. "Rulers are established by God to do good. If you do wrong be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants to bring punishment to the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4,5) This is a fallen world and sin is ever present. Alongside many people I long for a world without war. But my Lord tells me that until He returns, there will be wars and rumours of wars. We should pray for the Middle East and for all those caught up in these conflicts. All of us, whether we supported air strikes or not can surely commit to pray every day that Daesh will be defeated and peace and prosperity will return to this amazing part of the world.
Of course Jesus tells us to love our neighbour, but in close knit Jewish communities loving your neighbour was far more than simply helping them a bit when they were in trouble. It involved protecting them from harm. In scripture, love always involves action whereby we step out, even at our own risk, to help others. If a nation has been granted prosperity, peace and effective armed forces then we should help nations who are in trouble, especially if conflict in another part of the world threatens our own safety.
With the vote and the subsequent air strikes comes the responsibility to finish what we have started. Some papers picked up on comments made by William Hague in the House of Lords debate on action in Syria. The recently ennobled peer said we must be prepared for ground action. I agree completely and we must recognise that ground troops may be needed. Ultimately, air strikes alone will not solve the pressing problem of what to do about Daesh. Peace talks, soon to take place in Vienna are vital because diplomacy is not to be abandoned because we have loosed our fighter jets. As the Prime Minister has set out, a holistic approach is needed.
Christians must not fight with each other over the decision that has been made. Together, with a spirit of unity we need to pray and keep knocking on heaven's door until the answer comes, for the peace and prosperity of the church in Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and all over the Middle East. We need to pray for peace. And we need to pray for courage to see this through. Daesh are trying to spread a reign of terror. It is right we have taken action against them, but whatever your personal views, I hope we can all put those aside to pray together that God will bring justice and hope to the thousands of people affected by this bitter conflict.
Nola Leach is the chief executive of CARE.
