What is the churches view on war?

Answer 1

Exodus 15:3
The Lord is a man of war.

Psalm 18:34
He teacheth my hands to war.

Psalm 144:1
Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.

"All sects of heretics are condemned and various punishments are appointed for them and their accomplices."
--Pope Alexander IV


Jerusalem conquered 7/15/1099 more than 60,000 victims (Jewish, Muslim, men, women, children).

1648 Chmielnitzki massacres: In Poland about 200,000 Jews were slain.

Massacre of Sand Creek, Colorado 11/29/1864. Colonel John Chivington, a former Methodist minister and still elder in the church "I long to be wading in gore" had a Cheyenne village of about 600, mostly women and children, gunned down despite the chiefs' waving with a white flag: 400-500 killed.

1860s, in Hawaii the Reverend Rufus Anderson surveyed the carnage that by then had reduced those islands' native population by 90 percent or more, and he declined to see it as tragedy; the expected total die-off of the Hawaiian population was only natural, this missionary said, somewhat equivalent to 'the amputation of diseased members of the body'.

Answer 2

I don't think anybody can really speak for the "church" except for certain denominations and faiths that have a central leader maybe. I am a Christian but can't even say I speak for other Christians, let alone my church, or any other church.

With that said, I don't like war. I realize it's a necessary circumstance of living in this world, but I still don't like it. And I'm a person who supports the current "war against terror"! I just wish there were other ways... though I know that's not always possible.

Answer 3

The church's warfare is not against flesh and blood (ie people) but against the wicked forces in the heaven places (Ephesians 6:12). The church as part of the kingdom of God is engaged in spiritual warfare to establish God's kingdom on earth and not earthly warfare which concerns physical conquests. The church has to respect and obey the decisions of the civil authority (considered to be established by God) in its country regarding the conduct of any warfare on earth. All the church can do is to pray for God's help that the war is conducted in righteousness, justice, truth and mercy.

Answer 4

Depends on the church.

Catholic:
“The prohibition of murder does not abrogate the right to render an unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm. Legitimate defense is a grave duty for whoever is responsible for the lives of others or the common good” Catechism (#2321)

People who are experts in theology and the Catholic Church do not necessarily see the commandment outlawing the right to defending yourself. To them, a just war is self defense.


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Answer 5

I'd love to hear this, and before anyone ascribes a totally pacifistic bent to the Church, it would behoove them to remember that God led the Israelites into war, so He can't be a total pacifist.

Answer 6

My church understands that as long as there is evil in this world, and greed and lust for power, there will be wars.

But, we understand and support a war to promote righteousness, to fight against an enemy who is evil in itself -- Hitler, terrorists; to secure freedom to worship our God.

My church concentrates on prayers for the soldiers over there, peace for the people, and a hope that they will hear the Word of Christ.

People in Iraq are coming to Christ, praise God!

Answer 7

Most of the time it is unethical.......if we're talking about war in the last 20 or so years.

Answer 8

War is wrong, but at times it is necessary.

Answer 9

We are to be patriotic to our country and in obedience to its laws. If the country goes to war we go. (Romans 13)

Answer 10

they go to war