Chrisitanity and War?

Question

This is not an attack on Christians and I'm not generalizing (just asking) so please do not get offended (or defensive). My question is: If the bible and God say "thou shalt not kill" why have Christians gone to war with other nations based on their religious beliefs? For example: Christians conquering Muslims to claim their land (as Holy) - this goes both ways. Also, Christians killed a lot of natives for their gold and their land all in the name of God. Isn't that blasphemous? I think God gets pretty ticked when people kill in his name since it was He who made it very clear (see 10 Commandments) that we're not supposed to kill each other. I'm not even Christian and I get this one. :)

Answer 1

I agree with what you're saying for the most part. Such wars as these are wrong. However, you must remember that the Bible we have is a translation from the original Hebrew and Greek texts. I believe that what is meant in the Ten Commandments is to murder, not to kill. In other words "You shall not kill in cold blood". In other places of the Bible (most notably the story of David and Goliath) God commands people to kill.

I personally do not believe in war. I believe it is wrong and immoral. However, it happens and we cannot just ignore it... I want no part in it. I will live my life and let the government take care of their own affairs...

I have no real religious objection to war. I cannot find any Biblical text saying that war is wrong, but still I have my own personal opinions. I like what Christ and Paul says about love. :) And I don't always agree with Paul, quite often I disagree. He never saw his writings as being scripture. He was just a preacher; nothing more, nothing less...

As far as religious war goes: all religions worship the same God regardless of whether or not they want to admit it...

Interesting question (statement). And I am glad to see something concerning religion from a non-religious person that is not bashing religion. May we all work together to promote greater understanding...

Salaam.

Answer 2

The commandment not to kill may actually be a commandment to "do no murder" which is a special kind of killing.

But I won't try to duck the issue on that technicality.Let us just say that, when religiion is employed as the reason for war -it is probably an abuse. The Crusades come to mind. And the slaughter of native peoples in the new world.

Nonetheless, back "in the day" when religious institutions were inseparable from government, the killing was justified on the basis that those being killed were non-believers, infidels, agents of Satan and what-have-you. The warriors were fighting a good fight against EVIL. And the spoils of war were a nice extra bonus, as well.

There's some additional background to this: Again, back in those days, devout Christians really believed that Jesus was coming back soon, and I mean REAL soon; that the new kingdom was on the verge of being established right NOW. And as you know from the Bible, there are all kinds of predictions of some pretty serious conflicts among nations that would go along with that, before the 1000 year peace. And so, many people believed -or could be persuaded- that what they were being asked to do was all part of that process.

Of course, if everyone on both sides had bothered to take seriously the message of love, tolerance and charity proclaimed in their religious writ, and regard it as the exclusive remedy to differences, then maybe a lot of slaughter could have been avoided. But of course, hily writ also warns of some pretty bad times to come, as well.

Mix THAT with the politics of the era, in which the church of Rome was alternately allied with -or in conflict with- emerging states and nations throughout Europe while at the same time pretty nervous about encroaching "infidels" from the east and south; and those "infidels," of course, had regional political problems of their own -and were edgy about encroachment from their north and west.

But of course, on BOTH sides, there were religious communities who took the position that this was all crazy stuff, and they became holy orders of individuals (monks, nuns) who devoted themselves to prayer and good works and sought charters from Rome (or a Caliphate) certifying them as bona-fide religious organizations. Point being: there were also alot of folks who did try to live out the commandments of love of God and neighbor.

Finally, bear in mind that it wasn't until late in the middle ages that the leadership of the Catholic Church -the only one around at the time, really- was drawn from religious folks such as priests. On the contrary, it was the finer ruling familes of Italy and later France and Germany who supplied the "management." And their principal job was to govern and build the religious empire. On the one hand this meant phsyical construction, such as the Vatican and on the other, conscription of troops to fight the Muslims -or their own neighbors. The main civil function was to release stored grain from warehouses so folks could eat.

A fine mess.

To this day, we're still trying to figure it out.

I regret this terrible answer.

Answer 3

Just because someone says they are a Christian and acting in God's name doesn't mean God condones their actions. That is what is blasphemous, doing something in God's name when it really isn't His will.
In the Old Testament God did tell His people to kill their enemy in war. But He had very specific reasons for wanting this, it was usually an evil society. I don't believe He tells anyone to do this in today's society, even though we're as evil as Sodom and Gomorrah.
Unfortunately war is a necessity sometimes to stop evil. I don't know how God will deal with that on judgment day.
It's OK to question God. He doesn't mind.

Answer 4

Jehovahs Witnesses do not go to war.

True Christians love peace. They stay completely neutral in the world’s military, political, and ethnic conflicts. But, strictly speaking, they are not pacifists. Why? Because they welcome God’s war that will finally enforce his will on earth—a war that will settle the great issue of universal sovereignty and rid the earth of all enemies of peace once and for all.—Jeremiah 25:31-33; Daniel 2:44; Matthew 6:9, 10.


In that universal war the words of Jesus to his apostle Peter will be true: “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” (Matt. 26:52, AV) But those abiding by the words of Isaiah 2:4, "And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore". These will survive the universal war, just as Noah and his family survived the global flood.

Learn More!
www.watchtower.org

Answer 5

Actually, I believe the correct translation of that commandment should be, "Do not commit murder."

Other than that, it should be pointed out that the catholic church let the nobility of England and France invade the holy lands and try to take it for Christendom.

In the early days of the United States, greed often overtook people and led them astray. However, I do remember reading that preachers of that time were dismayed when the government broke it's word and killed innocent indians.

By the way, In the old testament, God does tell his people to completely kill every persian and medianite and take over their lands.

I always think that if it weren't for the overbearing governments, the world would be at peace.

Answer 6

I assume that you're talking about the Crusades, and while you are correct that many of the troops were there because they were sold it as a way to heaven, the actual motivation for the Crusades had nothing to do with religion.

Not too sure what natives your are referring to as the second part of your question, but in most cases religion was used as an excuse for the action, not a motivation.

The commandment "thou shall not kill" is more accurately translated thou shall not murder and there was/is a definite distinction made in the Biblical law between killing in war or executions and killing for pleasure, gain or anger (murder).

Answer 7

Sometimes some people have to make sacrifices for the greater good even if they may break the comandments, god is forgiving, but let me ask this

if someone had a gun pointed at your loved ones and you had a chance and could stop them would you sit there and let them kill everyone else or would you get them before they killed your loved ones.

I'd try to think about this in another situation with the same meaning, people at war want peace more then anyone and fighting for there loved ones and country is the reasoning behind it

Answer 8

President Bush went as far to tell the BBC that God told him to attack Iraq! This loose cannon is actually pushing the buttons for this country! Bush stooped to an all-time low (can you even imagine that now?) after having the the gall to meet with Pope John Paul II in the summer of 2004 in order to gain the Pope's support for the war for the upcoming election! What a consciousless diabolical douchbag!

Answer 9

Huh, does 9-11 ring a bell?

Where not suppost to sit back and be walked on either.
We are called to help those that are in need and many have died at the hands of dictatorship. Torchered and ripped from their homes.
Americans can not travel and do business when radicals are producing hatred like cancer.

It comes to a point that someone needs to stand up as David did with Goliath in the Bible.

Answer 10

I think it is madew very clear in the New Testament that war is wrong. Jesus says many things that lead to this conclusion. If someone hits you turn the other cheek, forgive at all times. Love thy neighbor as thyself. These things all make it very clear that war is the wrong way. True christians don't need to fight because they are not afraid of death.