funny little thing: Pacifism

My friend, Stephen, has been posting a blog series on Pacifism. If you know me well (or maybe just stumbled into the right conversation or moment), you know I would consider my self at least a semi-pacifist if not a "full blown" pacifist. So here's the links to his series so far: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. They are great reads if the topic interests you, which I feel like it should even if it does not ordinarily. And below is to the series thus far. He asked for feedback and this is how I'm giving it to him. So, the writing style is geared towards him, hence the "you"'s and such.

I have really enjoyed these blog posts. Are there more is that the conclusion of the set?

I am one who claims to be a semi-pacifist and mostly because I haven't taken the time to discover what it truly means to be a pacifist. Now, with looking at the etymology of the term, I'd say Harmony as my top (and strongest [or is it weakest]) strength, I can be labeled as a peacemaker (at least most of the time) and therefore pacifist.

However, my natural repulsion towards violence cannot be the only thing that would label me a pacifist in today's use of the term. I know in the first blog, you listed out questions and even said that to be a pacifist can be viewed unAmerican. Yet, the further you got into the series, the more it became about violence alone. Are you steering away from or is it just unanswered for you, still, about positions with war? The Israelites went to battle and God was there with them. God took them into battle, prolonged battle, and helped them to win the battle. What is your opinion on that and the violence implied with war.

Also, some would say that God is a violent God because he sends/will send people to hell. I presume you would say that this is a form of punishment for our wrongdoing. However, destroying the WHOLE earth except for 1 righteous man and his family and 2 of each kind of animal is a really intense (and violent) action. I would think that some people would say God is punishing violence with violence, which doesn't make sense to me. What are your thoughts on that?

This leads me to a few more questions, yet they are for your personal opinion:
What is your stand on war?
What was your response/reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden? Your reaction towards the over-patriotic responses on the internet? Your reaction to the over-Biblical responses to the rejoice of his death?
What should the basis for pacifism be? That God punishes pacifism and should, therefore, be a moral basis for pacifism?
What are your thoughts on self-defense? Delegated defense? Initiating violence? Retaliation?

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blog set. I hope there are more. Your points and support were great and made great sense. Plus, I'm glad somewhere along the journey you've found that God has grace and doesn't hate you for stealing a toy! It's something I'm still learning.
I hope you can respond to my questions throughout my blog and these at the end. And I am definitely good with "I don't know"/"I'm not sure" answers, because I know that ALL of life is a journey including learning and formulating opinions and such.
Thanks, man!