Why are some soldiers "blessed" before going to war by religious leaders, when according to one of the Ten Commandments in the Bible "Thou Shalt Not Kill?" Also, by blessing the soldiers, are they supporting war/ killing? Additionally, how do soldiers know that they are not killing another Christian, or does it not matter when it comes to war?
2006-09-09 05:21:53 · 18 answers · asked by AXeBaBe 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What you say is true, Christians of one nation kill Christians of another nation, they are not showing the brotherly love Jesus said would show who his true disciples are, John 8: 31,32 John 13:34,35, they obviously don't have love among themselves. I have seen the pictures of religious leaders blessing the troops, shameful to say the least. That is why I love the truth I am taught as one of Jehovah's Witnesses who will not take up arms and we are no part of the world, we are neutral politically. Our trust is in God's Kingdom for which Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's Prayer. It is the only solution to all mankinds problems. At Isaiah 2:4 Jehovah will have his people beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears and they will learn war no more. This is being taught around the earth today and even though a nation will be at war with another nation, Jehovah's Witnesses of those two nations have the love for each other that Jesus spoke of. We have been imprisoned for this belief, because we will not join the military even when it is the law of the land, because we do as God says to obey the superior authorities unless what they want is contrary to God's commands, then we obey God as ruler rather than men. Romans 13:1-5 Acts 5:27-32
2006-09-09 05:36:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The 10th commandment does not state "thou shalt not kill Christians" so the religion of the opponent seems irrelevant. Also many Christians construe "kill" as murder. They believe that war and capital punishment are exceptions to this commandment. As for the "religious leaders" in the military these are called Chaplains and they can be from any faith. There are even Wiccan chaplains because the military does not in any way distinguish between religions.
2006-09-09 05:26:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is brought into the military to enable the same sorts of crimes perpetrated during the crusades (mass murder, torture, execution of prisoners, etc.) and to rationalize or "justify" them.
Politicians seek to influence the military because more often than not, those who are pro-military tend to be more socially and politically conservative. It's more to a right-wing party's benefit to encourage soldiers to vote.
And by the way, the moronic claim of "no atheists in foxholes" has been debunked many times over, so don't assume it to be true. Pat Tillman was an agnostic.
2006-09-09 05:29:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually it is "Thou shall not murder." You can kill in self-defense and in defense of your country.
I believe the blessings are not that the soldier has a good day of killing, but that the soldier will come back home safely. There is a big difference there.
2006-09-09 05:24:57 · answer #4 · answered by bobm709 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
IT would seem that religion and civilization's interests are opposed at every turn. God's commandments are ignored, as if there is a big "except" following every one of them. IF we are to believe these commandments, (I see no reason not to, for they are based on the survival of the species and follow common sense) , then military war and religious persecution are in direct opposition to all that the theists believe. Yet, it is these same theists who are often quick to say, "Kill a ______ for God." Yes, a great contridiction in philosophy. Good luck
2006-09-09 05:25:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Those things are all necessary tools for power-hungry leaders to control the masses. Check your history books and watch the news and you'll see why.
2006-09-09 05:27:33 · answer #6 · answered by coastcat2003 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Very good point.
I am trying to get out of the military for reasons to that effect.
I need my DD 215 now!!!
2006-09-09 05:23:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Military goes well withreligion but never with politics .
Primarily we too do not want to kill.But if the eneny is trying to kill you should ensure not to be murdered but you should have to kill lest they will capture you torture you and even kill you .
2006-09-09 05:27:53 · answer #8 · answered by Bhahagyam 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Ever hear of the Crusades? They were Christian, military, and political!
2006-09-09 05:24:51 · answer #9 · answered by theblackenedphoenix 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Aye -- straight to the gates of Hell.
Modern politics and religion have taught us that one can tweak, revise, embellish, or outright ignore holy scriptures if we can justify it in the name of defense, God and Country, etc. For all the war-supporters who claim to be Christian, I can't quite picture Jesus himself bellowing, "Bring it on!" while bombs rain down on the enemy and flag-draped caskets float home.
See y'all in church.
2006-09-09 05:23:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋