I am studying catholicism as my religion... however, i am dating a girl who is catholic as well as her whole family, i need to know, my girlfriend wants me to join the Air Force, my question is what is the catholics view on the military, what do they think of it and is it a good idea if i am of catholic faith?
2007-01-23 08:11:17 · 14 answers · asked by ffpdfirefighter2002 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
just to clear this up, i am not changing my religion for my girlfriend, i grew up with no set religion and i have made the choice to go through with being catholic.... also, with the military and my girlfriend, i decided on the military myself and my girlfriend supports my decision.
2007-01-23 08:26:31 · update #1
I am a lifelong Catholic, and have met many Catholic military veterans. There is no prohibition on Catholics joining the military, and many have served honorably in combat. I think that one should weigh the decision to join the military very seriously, and ask if any given cause is really worth fighting for, but there seems to be no Church prohibition against joining any branch of the service, if one chooses to do so.
2007-01-23 08:17:06 · answer #1 · answered by solarius 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Okay, as a former member of the USAF, know this: military life is not pleasant, you (and your spouse) will have to be willing to sacrifice HUGE chunks of your time sometimes, especially during deployments. Depending on what job you do, you could be deployed, come home for a few months and then get sent right back out in the next "bucket".
Being Catholic isn't nuthin' but a thing... down at Lackland AFB there are chapels all over the place with Catholic Mass celebrated every week, even for basic trainees (other religions ARE represented to, including Wicca, Islam, Buddhism, etc.) so you won't be hurting for spiritual guidance.
The situation is ultimately up to you to decide if the risks of service, and ETHICS, are what you want. Also be advised, there's a huge decline in benefits since I was a BMTS graduate... OH and make SURE you have a job in mind before you hit the recruiters office... if you go in under "general" you're not likely to get the job you want... go with a specific JOB (AFSC) or AREA in mind and make sure it's GUARANTEED in WRITING with your SIGNATURE on the dotted line after reading all the fine print.
Just words to the "wise"... any other questions feel free to ask. I done my time in 2 AFSC's and am married to one in another, still in.
_()_
2007-01-23 08:20:34 · answer #2 · answered by vinslave 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church has nothing against joining the military. The morality of the military life the manner in which military force is employed. The military, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad. it's how the military is used than defines it's actions as morally proper or improper.
2007-01-24 23:56:22 · answer #3 · answered by Daver 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Defense of one's country is within Catholic doctrine but not all wars are "just."
The “just war” doctrine requires rigorous consideration to determine if defense by military force is legitimate.
Offensive war is never justified.
All the following considerations must be true to justify war:
1. The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
2. All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
3. There must be serious prospects of success;
4. The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated.
With love in Christ.
2007-01-23 17:24:42 · answer #4 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might find that there is no monolithic Catholic opinion on the military, or anything else for that matter. Catholics have a wide range of views, some of which even contradict the teachings of the church.
2007-01-23 08:20:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing in Catholic teaching that prohibits service in the armed forces.
The armed forces are necessary for protecting the freedoms that we enjoy in this country.
Even though the Pope has been opposed to the present war in Iraq, that does not prohibit Catholics from fighting in this war as long as the intent of the person is to protect his fellow countrymen.
2007-01-23 08:17:22 · answer #6 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I come from a Catholic family...my husband is navy and my dad was army, as was his dad before him. DON'T let your gf or anyone else make career decisions for you..make those decisions yourself. By the way, Uncle J, when it came to joining the hitler youth, those young men weren't given a choice.
2007-01-23 08:19:36 · answer #7 · answered by karen p 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Joining the military is not at all contrary to the Catholic faith.
"Those who are sworn to serve their country in the armed forces are servants of the security and freedom of nations. If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace." (CCC 2310)
2007-01-23 08:17:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm catholic, and two of my siblings are in the military. Our church prays for the military and the decisions of the president.
2007-01-23 08:16:54 · answer #9 · answered by E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Catholic Church believes that conflict is "a holy onslaught" dropped on the antichrists time-commemorated in many circumstances because of the fact the Russians. Pope Pius as quickly as reported "i believe conflict is the holy device of our lord and savior Jesus Christ interior the combat against the Allied Forces of england, France, and u.s.".
2016-11-01 02:38:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋