Respectful question for everyone regarding dieing in war for ones country/God?

Question

This isn't some stupid are there atheists in foxholes.

So my question is, does your country or religion make glorious dieing in war for your country or religion? I believe I've heard Islam says there is a reward of 72 virgins; there are Christian documents from the third century that said the reward would be 72 raisans for the Christian who died in Battle. England and America have slogans and in Basic training we were "prepped for war" in such ways, but ultimately were told "The goal in war isn't to die for your country its to make the other bastard die for his".

Also, why do you think smaller groups of organized people, tribes in Australia for example, don't have his kind of ideology of risking death in war, research has shown that they organize for battle in such a way to limit death of the attacking force, through finding an advantadge in ambush for example, going to great lengths to avoid suicide in battle. Your thoughts regarding formal government religion and war

Answer 1

72 "raisins" for dying in battle!? I'm familiar with the Sacred writings of the early Church Fathers and I haven't found ANYTHING of that nature in the writings of any early Christian. Where are you quoting from?

The Christian belief in warfare is one of God's judgment. It is not a sin to go to war to combat evil, however, to be deemed what is evil or not is not up to man. God uses evil nations to shame the hypocritical "Christian" nations to induce repentance. He also uses sincere "Christian" countries to pass judgment on the wicked nations. Once again, it is not up to us to decide who is evil and who is just. It's a tricky situation, like the crusades, for example, man's attempt of domination without God's consent. Going to war for mere personal gain. That's why the Christians lost most of the crusades.

The point I'm getting at is martyrdom is not when one dies defending their country, it's when one dies for simply believing what they believe. Many smaller tribes in underdeveloped countries may not have as strong a conviction for their ideologies.

Answer 2

Over the entrance at a high school one can read in Latin; Prepared to both". Meaning the books and the war. I think this time is over for good, at least I hope so. How many times haven’t the church (The Roman Catholic Church) sent people to war, to die for noting, perhaps for a religion they really did not believe in. A religion that only suppressed them in any way you could think off. A church that jailed you, burn you and perhaps some innocent children too. Why is it wars? Greediness is the answer. How did it started? Well, sometime long, long ago a man or it might have been a women I do not know, who was the first one who put up a fence and said that the land behind the fence is my property. Well, that was OK, but what was not OK was the fools who believed in him, they should at once replied that the earth belongs to all of us, not only you, please tear down the fence at once. Tear down the big states and make smaller states around towns and if the town is too big, divided it into smaller states. The smaller state, the less is the opportunity to make wars.

Answer 3

All sensible armies train and try to limit deaths to their forces. Of course there are exceptions such as the Soviet and Japanese army's during WW2, Grant during the American Civil war. Usually smaller tribes cannot afford to have a war of attrition. This is only the luxury of countries with large fighting age populations. The reason for the glory of death in warfare is to make the soldier unafraid of death. Usually this leads to more decisive attacks by the offense and holding to the last man on the defense. Not having fear of death and bravery under fire makes better soldiers in certain situations and this elan can carry the day.

Answer 4

One should not fight and die for deities because what are you really fighting for.. it is in no way glorious. Have you actually achieved anything by it? Usually not which means a few years down the road there will once again be another war fueled by a deity.

However, fighting for the land you live on, to protect your home, your family and your neighbors is valid. The War for Independence was fought for this reason.

As for government.. it has let itself become too entwined with theology.. and its reasons for war self serving a good majority of the time.

Answer 5

its all very very sad
and to be honest in the spiritual books i have read , dying for your country is not an ideal way to die ..
ill explain from my own personal beliefs
when we die from natural cause i am told that this process is so easy , quick and a beautiful journey to our next home
we are expected so to speak in the spirit world and everything is prepared for us
when people die of unnatural causes then its like a little shock to the system ... so your spirit would need a little attention and some rest and healing to prepare you for the next life
we are told that during times of war so many go unexpectedly to spirit and spirit ( much to every ones disbelief don't know everything or know the future ) so are not prepared properly for such a huge amount of spirit to be brought to their next life unprepared
this really upsets the balance in spirit and creates alot of jobs for spirit who have to help those poor people adjust to their surroundings
i don't say it as well as the books i have read it from of course but i think you get the picture and i know you are atheist but hope you see something in what i give you even if you see it hypothetically xx
p.s you're questions have been great today Ive really enjoyed them .. and for the record i am spiritualist

Answer 6

I think that atheists can be patriotic and have an external morality that compels courage in battle.

R.A. Heinlein addressed a group of midshipmen in 1973 on a scientific understanding he called "The Pragmatics of Patriotism." Below is a link.

BTW, I think it was Gen. George S. Patton who said: "No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."

Heinlein and Patton together explain everything. :-)

Answer 7

Actually we also try to make it as uncostly as possible, this isn't a new strategy, almost everyone, except fools, use it. It is a more honorable death to die in battle, and I think you will be rewarded in heaven for the service you did for your country.

Answer 8

How long did people suffer in Europe before America got into WW2. Sometimes war is neccessary , religion or no religion.

Answer 9

God, Himself is clear about war.

You live by the old law sword, you die by the old law sword.

You live by the New Testament sword, you live and die by the New Testament sword. Pure and simple.

This isn't real difficult too understand for most 12 year olds.

Answer 10

no country should make their religion glorious when suicide bombers strap themselves with explosives,blow themselves up,kill innocent people.then their goverment calls them martyrs.and waiting for them ,if they do it ,there will be a 1,000.virgins waiting for them.that is sick,but suicide bombers are taught from an early age to be jihadist,brain washed from birth ,they know no better,can you imagine yourself up for something you believe is not true?that is against all principals of what the bible teaches.love in jesus,from mikhal in israel.