What do your personal or religious ethics say about civilian casualties in war?

Question

Specifically, is there a number, beyond which, the objective of the military action is no longer worth the cost?
Or should war not be measured in such terms?

Answer 1

Funny, I know it's a serious question and deserves a serious answer but I can think of nothing that is hidden from the American public more effectively than the Iraqi civilian death toll. What if I said "anything at or below parity with military casualties is acceptable" or "half military casualties" or "one fourth..."...those all seem kind of high and yet they pale compared to the estimates we've heard. Go figure (and I mean no disrespect to the departed, they're all somebody's mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister, whatever - it's just that I'm astounded that we know so little about them much less care).

Answer 2

I think its too cold and callous to put civilian or military casualties into tolerable numbers.


While civilians should never be targeted in war, and great pains should be exercised to minimize civilian death it is an unfortunate unavoidable part of war, and a damn good reason why war should be a last resort.

That being said military objectives must sometimes be achieved even if innocent people die. Tens of thousands of French civilians died as a result of the allied invasion of Normandy during D-day.

That dose not mean that the assault was not morally right.

Answer 3

Human beings make societys that must be protected from evil men. Thou shalt not murder, says 10 commandments- Sometimes we kill, if someone is about to kill us or one of our family members; and, if we are at war with a marauding enemy.
For evil to prosper, all it takes is: good men to do nothing.
The world is fast coming to an end, and personally, I don't think fighting this war will keep us, as a world, free from the curtain call.
But the Lord wants' us to have principled actions, and never give up.
We must ask him how to wage the war, and be decisive, is all.
A young man, who's- "lost" his life (we have an eternal soul); is in the plan of the Lord, and would have died at that same instant, no matter where he was or what he was doing- I truely believe that.
We have an appointed time to die-that's why preachers are such wreckless drivers (Joke); because they know that their life is in God's hands, and that they won't be dieing before he's ready for them, and that their mission on earth has to be completed first and that they've got to have learned all they should, and are humble so they can go be with Him.
George Washington was in a battle, standing alone, on a white horse- a big target, and the leader; so this Indian was shooting and shooting at him, and could not kill him, and was dumb-founded by this. He was not supposed to die yet.
Our job on earth is to be faithful-He takes' care of the rest- A good feeling.
He is sovriegn.

Answer 4

What an excellent question, but so hard to answer. There are immediately two things that come to mind for me. One is the theory of Gen Sherman during the civil war...take the war to the civilians. The other is a Viet Nam era flag that proclaimed "Kill 'em all...Let God sort them out." Nothing stops a war so fast as the colossal suffering of the general population. Take note of the bombing of Berlin and dropping the atomic bomb. So I guess that is my personal opinion about civilian casualties in war. If our troops are sent to war, then for God's sake let them get it done. It can only save lives in the long run; better than tit-for-tat skirmishes ongoing year after year.

Something I forgot to add....for we who live in America...do not think for an instant that any invading army on our soil would feel the least remorse or hesitation in annihilating our population. If you believe they would, then you are naive.

Answer 5

Well, I personally this that is the worst tragedy of war - and I think those who want to play war games should do so where no innocent bystanders are hurt.

My religious views say that there is much to be learned through adversity and there are those brave souls among us who want to learn things associated with violence and matter out of their control like that. If not, there wouldn't be war or violent video games, books and movies selling so well.

Our breed is interested in exploring all facets of existence and all the various perspectives that accompany it. Being creatures of spirit, we are not in real danger and we can come back and reincarnate whenever we want. So, ultimately, my religious ethics say that there is something in those souls that wants or needs to experience that for their own personal knowing, their own personal desire, or they would not be their.

Peace!

Answer 6

This is why war is almost never a good thing.


There are wars that are worth fighting. I am glad the Korea War happened (because I have family in South Korea), and I am glad World War II happened (again, family in South Korea, plus Japan taking over the U.S. would be bad).

But still, those wars wouldn't have had to happen if one side hadn't been keen on starting a war.

Answer 7

That all war is unethical. Acceptance of any civilian casualties shows a disregard for human life. Neither should there be military casualties. War is simply unethical.

Answer 8

The current number is astonishing. The American military has become the terrorists. My personal ethics tell me that this war was never about 9/11 and what we are doing over there is wrong on so many levels.

Answer 9

simply by fact they seem to be a team of "bleeding heart liberalists" who've no longer the rest to do yet cry over some stupid ingredient after yet another. and that they are probable an identical people who cried to Bush to attack somebody over 9/11 and whilst he did they cried simply by fact our boys have been being killed and the conflict ought to have in basic terms taken a pair of days, whilst he mentioned as we declared conflict that this may well be an exceptionally long conflict. those incredibly everyone seems to be by no potential happy and that they continually want a reason in life.

Answer 10

The Bible says to not war with the flesh (Period). 2 Corinthians 10:3
Churches don't mention this verse because they are in bed with the state, unfortunately (see: 501(c)3 laws that your church signs). But this is what also is said in the bible that God has planned beginning to end and that religion will have a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.
If you want to learn more go to the website I put in my source