Is the military compatible with Christianity?

Question

I had thought that I would find this question previously asked, with many answers.(I didn't; it wasn't) I'm wondering what people think. I suppose it depends a lot on ones definition of Christianity. I'll post this question under "religion" I wonder if answers would be very different if I put it under "military.

Answer 1

Yes, I think it is. Most religions, Christianity presumably included, make a major distinction between aggression and defense. Hardly any believe it is wrong to defend yourself. Thus, a career in the military for a government that does NOT engage in aggression would be fine, and in fact noble. Of course, if you are ordered to do something immoral, and you refuse, you must expect to be court-marshaled or even shot. But that would by martyrdom, which is presumably a get-out-of-hell-free ticket for a Christian.

Answer 2

Not biblical Christianity.

While I am not a Christian, I find the life of Martin of Tours to be especially intesting. Even if you discount his religious beliefs, it's still beautiful to read about his belief that he could not kill another human because some person in power sent him to do so, and a different person in power sent the person he was supposed to kill to die.

He also believed in feeding the poor, clothing the naked and in general supported a Liberal, Socialist agenda that while based on the Bible would be the very thing Christian pundits preach against today.

Answer 3

You haven't seen anything until you see God and His angel armies. One angel slew 185,000 men with confusion. Not weapons but confusion of mind.

At the very voice of God all evil will be burned up. The American military is compatible with Christianity. God tells us that if we choose to live by the sword, we will die by the sword. The American military has always tried to fight for a just cause such as stopping further bloodshed or in defense of the nation. The military has stepped in to stop the land aggression of nations. Jesus said "no greater love has any man than he lay down his life for a friend." Often American soldiers have done just this. Even our firefighters and policemen on 9/11 laid down their lives trying to help their friends and neighbors. America is a great nation. Our people are a great people. Our God is the One and Only True God. Our God is our protection and provision as long as we serve Him and Him only. Our God whose Son is Jesus Christ has blessed our nation. We serve an awesome God and "Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Amen.

Answer 4

Yes, it is. In the majority of Christianity, they realize it is okay to defend your country. The military offers many religious services to members.

Hopefully, they realize that if Christianity and the military aren't compatible, they risk losing their religious (among other) freedoms that comes with people giving their lives to defend the country.

Answer 5

...True Christianity is circumscribed by the Bible - the Bible alone and its entirety is the Divine Word. I think too many answers here are not taken from or considered from the Scriptures.
...You can find no verse where converted soldiers were told to give up their occupation.
...In Luke 3:14 we read:
...Some soldiers were questioning him, saying, "And what about us, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages."
...This was a quote from John the Baptist. Notice he did not tell them to leave the military. (BTW, all of Scripture is God's word).
...In Romans 13, we are told that government is ordained of God, and does not bear the sword for nothing, and it is an avenger of God for righteousness.
...Down through history, God has put down evil and evildoers, by using one nation to punish another for their evil, by wars - we have seen this in the Old Testament and in history closer to our time...World War II, for example.
...In World War II, brutal, depraved evildoers were running rampant (i.e., Nazis, Japanese) and had to be stopped. Axis atrocities were many.
...My father and many like him fought these jackasses and soundly defeated them - the Allies won, and we Americans went home.
...Unfortunately in war, many suffer, and this cannot be helped; but much more suffering was abated.
...Last, a man is a selfish coward and not a man, if he refuses to defend his family and his country against tyranny.

Answer 6

Of course it is. Nothing in Christianity says that people should not defend their country.

The only thing that evil needs is for good people to do nothing.

295,000 American servicemen gave their lives to defeat Japan and Hitler. They were 98% Christian. We would be living in quite a different world if they all decided that their religion told them not to fight.

Answer 7

Go rent the movie Sgt. York, it addresses this very topic. It's black and white, but a good picture to watch. Have fun and here's a orange zest cookie for the road.

Answer 8

Not at all.
The military is the exact opposite of what Christianity should be all about.
Following God is loving what he loves, and hating what he hates. God hates war and violence. So no, the military would not be a way to show love for God or his commands.

Besides, when ones preach and pray for God to bless a certain country (ex. God Bless America) they are not asking God to bless other countries. They fail to realize that God is not partial. He does not pick sides, and would not Bless their efforts to kill other innocent people!

Answer 9

Defending your nation and family is acceptable under Christianity.

Answer 10

Yes