How do pacifist Christians reconcile pacifism with with Jesus's commendation of the Roman centurion?

[Choir Loft]

I realize that "street corner preaching" is thought by some to be embarrassing and disruptive to 'business as usual'. There are also those who believe that preaching morality of any kind or views opposing the government are thought to be unpatriotic, politically incorrect, ungodly and seditious. King David, a prominent figure in the Biblical text, did not share this opinion - one that is indicative of the cancer of ungodliness that infects this nation and its churches.

"So David and his men continued along the road while Shimei was going along the hillside opposite him, cursing as he went and throwing stones at him and showering him with dirt."
- 2 Sam 16:13

Having written this I respond to your question regarding Amos 5:21.
I derive my opinion about the verse as well as its meaning from the collected summation of scholars on the subject, specifically two noted commentaries.

"An unqualified repudiation of the sacrifices of Israel."
- Wycliffe Bible Commentary

"Yahweh Himself condemns a flourishing cult which assumes that rites without righteousness will continue to buy divine favor."
- Interpreter's Commentary on the Bible

I therefore think it accurate and true to assume the meaning of the verse applies the unchangeable character of God to our current cancerous values, habits and practices that glorify the policies of the American military and the churches that support its criminal acts against God and man.

In summation:
(Edited, ToS 2.4. You shall not refer to a member or his post as "demonic" nor in any other way question his salvation. Obadiah)

Amos was right.

and that's me, hollering from the choir loft...

 

[Drew]

Drew's comment above sounds like a paraphrase of John 18:36 and thereabouts (to me).

That being the case, we will do well to consider the exact quote: "Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

Thanks for giving the exact words (from one translation, at least). I think the text rather clearly makes the point that Jesus sees non-violence as a key marker of citizens of His kingdom.