Will American soldiers who kill people be going to hell?

Question

They aren't killing for god or anything. They are killing because their government tells them to. Since god says though 'Shalt not kill', doesn't that mean they are going to hell? Or do they get out of jail free card by asking for forgiveness?

Answer 1

I love how people make little bible ammendments to fit their political beliefs. the bible does not make any exception for war. One could possibly argue that if God commanded a nation to wage war as was arguably the case in ancient Israel there would be an exception. However, there is NO indication in the bible or anywhere else that God authorizes the US or any other country to kill because of political reasons. To the idiots who bring up 911 as a justification for the self defense argument:

1) Iraq , no matter how big of an *** saddam is , had NOTHING to do with 911.

2) Killing random people because someone in the village MIGHT be a terrorist would be like me going to an area known for racism and randomly killing people because someone there MIGHT be a kkk member

Answer 2

Although there are some english translations of the Bible that translate Exodus 20:13 as "You shall not kill", that is an incorrect translation of the original Hebrew. The Hebrew word used is Rakah. It clearly means murder. The commandment actually reads, "You shall not murder."
I think we all recognize the difference between killing and murder. Murder consists of malice aforethought. This would not be the act that soldier or police officer is commiting when he takes a life in the line of duty.
Yes, soldiers are in combat under orders from the Government. And the Bible says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1) The soldiers are empowered by both God and the Government to do what they are doing. If a war was out of God's will, the governing authorities who started the war will answer for the bloodshed, not the soldiers.

Answer 3

There is no Hell except for that which we as humans make here and now on our Earth. War itself is HELL enough. FYI the 10 Commandments actually translated into "Thou shalt not MURDER". There's a big difference between killing and murdering (semantics I know...but they're defined differently in the dictionary). Killing generally has a sanction of some type behind it...maybe not God's (if there is one)...but a government's, king's, duke's, etc. There is an authority that condoned the killing. Murder is more individual and is not authorized. PEACE!

Answer 4

The Word of God says that we are to obey those that have rule over us. So (God forbid) if there be any lives lost while they are on their tour, that is why Jesus died for our sins. Yes we can ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. I would be different if they we here on the streets of America just killing people. They are not. They are doing what they have been trained to do and what they are ordered to do. No one goes to hell for 'sinning' unless you repeated do it and don't ask for forgiveness. If we went to hell for 'sinning', we all would go. But the Word of God says that we all sin and fall short of the Glory of God. There is only one sin that there is no forgiveness for and that is blaspheming the Holy Ghost. Call if a 'get out of jail free card' if you want to, I call it grace. May God Bless

Answer 5

An un-justified war is not part of god's adjenda. I would say they should go to hell. Killing is wrong, War is wrong. We should be more than intelligent enough as a race to solve problems without having to go to war.

Then again the americans were completely out of line in starting the war. They just wanted more control over the country so they could get the oil.

They should go to hell.

Answer 6

OK. I'll bite.
How can you ask such a question? Are you just trying to get people pissed off?

As the oldest constitutional democracy in the world, the U.S.A. has had on many occasions, the compulsion to send its men into harm's way. They have done their duty.

No one is ever happy to take a human life. Not anyone normal anyway. When it becomes necessary to kill or be killed, the American soldier will kill. Without mercy.

The current enemy, however, feels that it is his religious duty to kill. He prays to his god for the opportunity to "martyr" himself.

Do you think the terrorist is going to heaven?

Answer 7

Through out the Bible God allow war. King David was solider and he had many God called Davids Mighty Men of War. War is essential in God plan and so are the soldiers.
"Shalt Not Kill" refers to someone killing in anger or of vengence.

Answer 8

This is a Religious War we are in--working its way up to a Religious World War.
Now, check the Bible--anyones bible--and you will learn that any religion based on the God of Abraham encourages killing if it is done in the name of religion.
So no problem for the soldiers--all is right with the World.
Right?

Answer 9

Logically of course they will if you believe in that sort of thing. If only god has the right to judge and no-one should kill, (love thy enemy). then anyone who kills should be for it. obviously not many people take that seriously or there would not be so much killing in the world. Yet more proof a good personal moral state has nothing to do with abiding by religious rules through fear. fear of the law doesnt do any good. respect for the law, yourself and others is the right moral code.

Answer 10

God forgives all who ask for salvation. Murderers, rapists and thieves can still get into Heaven. And it is not as if the soldiers are crazed manics killing for no reason; they protect us. I doubt that the people who give the most hanious criminals the lethal injection are going to Hell.