to serve in the military? Jesus' teachings are all about love, forgiveness and turning the other cheek. How can a good Christian serve in the armed forces where you may be required to use aggression against other people? At the very least, even administrative positions are supporting the aggression.
2007-05-26 14:46:12 · 16 answers · asked by Mom 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Did I say it was a sin? If anyone did, it would have been Jesus who taught that.
My question is simply asking how you reconcile the teachings of Jesus with being in a position that requires aggression.
2007-05-26 14:57:44 · update #1
Matthew chapter 10 is clearly talking about the spiritual transformation of Christ's message, not about dropping bombs on other people.
2007-05-26 15:09:20 · update #2
There was fine print.
Thou shalt not kill-
unless you think the person deserves it or you are engaged in some war theoretically protecting the rights of god fearing people.
2007-05-26 14:49:38 · answer #1 · answered by RU SRS? 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It is an error to say that God never supports a war. Jesus is not a pacifist. In a world filled with evil people, sometimes a war is necessary to prevent even greater evil. If Hitler had not been defeated by World War II, how many more millions of Jews would have been killed? If the Civil War had not been fought, how much longer would African Americans have had to suffer as slaves? We must all remember to base our beliefs of the Bible, not on our emotions (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Ecclesiastes 3:8 declares, “there is…a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. In a world filled with sin, hatred, and evil (Romans 3:10-18), war is inevitable. Some wars are more “just” than others, but all wars are ultimately the result of sin. Christians should not desire war, but neither are Christians to oppose the government God has placed in authority over them (Romans 13:1-4; 1 Peter 2:17).
2007-05-26 22:08:05 · answer #2 · answered by Freedom 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
David was a man after God's own heart and fought for his people and killed their enemies by the hundred. The 10 commandments say not to murder and Jesus said to love your enemy and to help them. So it comes down to a personal interpretation and here is my cut at it. If your enemy is attacking you and trying to kill you and your family and your country then you should fight for it. My interpretation.
There is a story about the British and the Maori in New Zealand that shows this best of what I have heard. The British had ran out of supplies and were in bad shape. The Maori had been listening to Bishop George Selwyn about Jesus and sent the British several canoes full of supplies. It didn't stop the fighting but it showed an honour and integrity that is missing in this world for sure!
2007-05-26 22:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by Pilgrim in the land of the lost 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Serving in the military by Christians is not forbidden. Jesus said in His great sermon on the mount, "blessed are the peacemakers" who are those who put themselves in harms way for the defense of the innocent and helpless. Christians serve in the military out of their love for their fellow man. The Bible speaks there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for another as Christians are called to a life of sacrifice instead of a life of pacifism and self indulgence.
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
2007-05-26 21:57:10 · answer #4 · answered by cristoiglesia 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
killing is wrong.... killing is killing no matter how you look at it. A Christian might go into the armed forces to protect, and that involves killing. Is it right? I don't know. If America is attacked for war purposes, should we just sit and not fight back? No, we would kill to defend. I would kill to protect my children and my family. There is no doubt about it. It is a sin, but I would do it none the less
2007-05-26 21:52:21 · answer #5 · answered by pink9364 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
I guess Jesus didn't mind agression, after all.
2007-05-26 21:58:55 · answer #6 · answered by Antique Silver Buttons 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus was a person of peace, but unless the bible says "it is a sin to be in war" or something like that, who are you to say it is a sin?
2007-05-26 21:52:09 · answer #7 · answered by kelly4u2 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the bible does address serving in the military, directly and implicitly. the christian men and women who serve their country with character, dignity, and honor, can rest assured that the civic duty they perform is condoned and respected by our sovereign God. those who serve in the military deserve our respect and our thanks.
Jesus marveled when a roman centurion [officer in charge of one hundred soldiers] approached him. the centurion’s response to Jesus indicated his clear understanding of authority, as well as his faith in Jesus [see matthew 8:5-13]. Jesus did not denounce his career. the first example of military service is found in the old testament [genesis 14], when abraham's nephew lot was kidnapped by chedorlaomer, king of elam, and his allies. abraham rallied to lot's aid by gathering 318 trained men of his household and defeating the foreign forces.
2007-05-26 21:50:30 · answer #8 · answered by Silver 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well as long as it is against the infidels it is ok for the christians.... just look at the crusades... they slaughtered every man, woman, and child. What about when christian Europeans came to the americas? so much blood was shed... christians can be very hypocritical.
2007-05-26 21:50:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
I'm a Wiccan and I absolutely could not serve. I don't understand why so-called "Christians" like many of our politicians sometimes seem to value life so little. (I put it in quotes, because who knows if politicians tell the truth about thei religion.)
2007-05-26 21:49:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋