Did America sin declaring independance from Britain?

I thought I was doing what you suggest.
Ever since Augustine argued for the concept of a "Just War" there have been Christians willing and ready to take up arms for a cause they decided was just. I understand that view and recognize many Godward Christians hold that view. I also understand that many Godward Christians don't hold that view and they should not be looked down on as weaker or as cowards. Dr Martin Luther King Jr held a view of non-violent resistance. I do not consider him a coward in the faith. I would argue that up until the church at Rome got co-opted into the government, you never see Christians bearing arms against their enemies. I ask myself why we don't see that and how in the world did Christianity grow by leaps and bounds? I look at China today and I see the same thing. God seems to honor those who put down their weapons and entrust their physical bodies to His care and protection rather than fight back.
I accept that others will uphold the "just war" philosophy. They are more than welcome to uphold that view.
I do not know how I was being disrespectful of their POV.

 

We could argue all day whether or not war is 'just' or not, but a good look at the Old Testament shows us more than enough examples of the Lord ordering His people to go to war to either defend themselves or smite a sinful nation. Can the Lord order people to sin? Of course not! And the Lord is a just God. That I'm sure of.

And a man fighting to protect his family or friends is absolutely justified in the eyes of the Lord. For he is laying down his life, entrusting it with the Lord, to protect those he loves. And in China, where families are being killed and pregnant mothers are being forcibly picked off the streets by abortion vans, I believe its time that fathers started protecting their families as they should.

It isn't about protecting yourself, or else you wouldn't fight.