Should Christians support their country by encouraging their young to join the military, regardless of whether

Question

they may be going up against someone of their own faith in another country?

A recent program on the History Channel did a story about a young man who was a trained Sharp Shooter. One of his targets turned out to be a young man from a Mormon family he had stayed with while on Missionary work in the country they were fighting, prior to the war. The actor playing the part was the grandson of the actual solder. In this case, he missed his target, but one has to wonder how many others he didn't miss? Is this what God and Christ would have wanted of Christians, to be willing to kill each other in support of a human government?

Answer 1

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. -John 15:13.
It is an error to think that the armies of the western countries are ravagers and pillagers. Each day, the bravery and righteousness of our troops and our cause is shown. Many people are saved from evil. This IS the real reason why we have gone to war. If it was for religion or greed, we already would have lost.

Answer 2

God instituted Human Government Genesis ch 9.,There isn"t A leader any where in the World ,(That people have voted in )(or because of Wickedness Demanded A Dictator.Conclusion God has set up,and God brings down,In this dispensation God works thru Man.
Christian Conduct : Romans ch.: 13 :verse 1 thru7(Titus ch 3:
The duly appointed Law Man may have to take a Life to save Innocent Lives: My taxes pay His Salary.Taxes are used for Mil Aircraft,so your deposition is A smoke Screen,But some young Soldier will die today so you can reap benefits of Freedom,But you and yours will not get a scratch:Have a good Nights rest some of My friends have died and I have served proudly:God"s
Word will not support your statement.

Answer 3

Sometimes the sake of the whole is more important then the concern over a few. I know that God knows each of us personally and wouldn't like to see anyone die for an unjust cause, but He has also given man free agency and hopes we will act in accordance with His law in exercising such agency.

I know Mormons are encouraged to support and honor their government and many of them are currently in the service of their country in the armed forces. A big part of this is because they desire all people to have the freedom to act and believe as they will and that the ideals that America was founded upon are a wonderful foundation for religion. (This is just my opinion).

God does not glory in the death of anyone, nor does he want it to occur, but sometimes He allows it. I'm not sure we can ever know the extent of His thoughts or ever be able to overcome the mental consequences of killing another. But, we should all seek to find peace with God and with ourselves. That is what matters.

Answer 4

God supported jews fighting/killing each other, as well as the annhiliation of all non-jews in Canaan (amongst other groups). It all depends on whether your cause is the righteous one. The bible says do not murder, not do not kill. For instance, capital punishment for a murder is very OK on the bible. So are many other offenses, including homosexuality. So is fighting against an enemy that is not righteous (or does not believe in/is evil in the eyes of God). Murder (unjustified homicide)--bad. Killing for the right reasons--OK. Don't believe me? Read it. And make sure you know the actual greek/hebrew that is being translated. Oh, and this response does not represent the views of the writer.

Answer 5

nicely . . . completely? difficult for me to declare at this factor. i'm a 22-3 hundred and sixty 5 days veteran and am pleased with serving. i've got self belief provider, whether that is defense force, or yet another public provider, is paramount to coming up a greater effectual society. suitable to the defense force, i've got self belief a caste equipment (for loss of a greater effectual term) is turning out to be greater often happening interior the U. S.. those born of privilege do no longer might desire to serve, and particularly look down at people who do. i've got seen it in a number of my dealings with politicians. I actually have a son who's pleased with me and desires to be a Soldier. I even have some years until now he would be of the age to make that determination. I basically wish issues are greater effectual via then.

Answer 6

One of the 10 Commandments is "Thou shalt not kill" it doesn't say anything about it being OK to kill someone of a different faith or religion.

To be a Christian is to be Christ-like... would Christ pick up a gun and shoot at a human being?

Answer 7

i was once a member of the military and once i found religion i got out of it. god doesnt expect people to kill for him and anyone who say john 15:13 condones military service isnt wrong just have more friends than anyone i know. for a friend i would lay down my life for my god i would for a country nope

Answer 8

I think of Desmond Doss in answer to your question. I think that God does expect people to fight against oppression. And the commandment people keep refering to says thou shalt not MURDER. There is a difference! If someone came in and attacked my family I would KILL them. That is not murder. Murder implies hate or premeditation.

Answer 9

Better to suffer oppression than to become a killer. At least some churches used to encourage their members to enlist as medics or other non-combatants.

Answer 10

Well, here's the belief...

God has placed in command whom He has chosen. So President George W Bush is the President because God so chose him to be during this time.

Just as those that are put in the places of power are put there by God's Will. This is why character is so important and everyone should strive to be as truthful as possible.

If I was 18 years old and coming up during Vietnam. Say it was during the Johnson Administration. He says, "Congratulations, the draft board has selected YOU to serve in Vietnam." Although, I really don't want to go. God has so chosen that I am to go. If it is my turn to be killed, cripled, etc. Then it is God's chosing that it happen to me.

Like this one guy just got married, goes to Vietnam because he believes God has chosen him to go. He VOLUNTEERS to go. He was fine until one day when his group was attacked by men with satchel charges. A suicide squad. They raid his area set off two hand grenades, one of his men falls on it and is killed. The other goes off in front of him ripping off part of his face and his arm that was shielding his eyes. He lost on eye. Then one of suicide brigade sets off the satchel charge which blew up close him almost severing his legs from his body. His parents when they saw him said there wasn't much of him that didn't look like ground up hamburger meat.

He survived. He comes back home. Realizes that he wasn't a Christian when he's at a Billy Graham crusade. He knows that if he died, he would have been in Hell for eternity.

So what does a one armed (with two or three really good working fingers) and one good eye do for a living? He started doing police work for the state he was from. Then after that he went to a Billy Graham conference shared his testimony. Then was asked to write his life story. Then he was sent on book tours and speaking engagements.

He even had the opportunity to speak to people who were amazing athletes. I don't think there is one professional team that hasn't had him speak as a motivational speaker.

So we are instructed to support our government as long as it is not in conflict with what the Bible says. Our government may say go in and kill every man, woman, and child. According to the Bibles teaching, we are to obey as God has put them into place as our leader. God holds that person responsible. So if God hasn't instructed it. Then the government is being disobedient and will be held accountable.

If God has instructed them and we go in, our obedience will be rewarded. However, conflict comes if the government says, "Kill the men, rape and mutilate the children before you kill the women." No where in the Bible does it say that type of action is acceptable.

Many a Christian has toiled with this type of scenario. When is it too far? God says, "Render unto Cesaer what is Cesaer's and unto God what is God's..." If you are instructed to go, you should go. If you are instructed to kill, then kill. Defend. Defend. Build. Build. If it is direct conflict, like raping women, beheading children in front of the parents.

This is generally not going to be regarded as being from God. Because He never has instructed such.