I'm a devout and faithful Catholic who wants to join the U.S Army. Is that wrong?

Question

I don't have a hatred for anyone, or any group of people, but the injustice of the insurgents in Iraq boils my blood...all the things they've done to the innocent civilians, women and children for their so-called Jihad. I know it says in the Bible to not murder, but it says nothing about engaging in War for a noble and just cause.And it tells of a Roman Centurion(military commander)named Cornelius who was visited by an Angel of God for his Faith(Acts chapter 10 verses 1-46) I wish to purify my soul and resist all the lusts and desires of this pagan world, i believe in a better or worse life after death. I need answers from faithful "born-again" Christians of all branchs of Christ (Catholics, Protestants, Mormons, etc.) and from Fathers, Preachers, Priests, Pastors, etc. Please answer my inquiry, and Lord forgive us all.

Quik comments:

Dulzura, Chelsea H: I appreciate your support and words. Thanks

Guinness, As Real as it Gets, Tapestry:
You guys seem like real patriots.

Born Again: Why do you hate christians?

James K: Dude, No...

Answer 1

As salaamu 'alaikym, my friend.

Insha'Allah, that greeting means "peace be uopn you" inferring the peace of God.

You remark about what the "insurgents" are doing to the civilian population in Iraq. Somewhere along the way you have overlooked the fact that the major disrupter of Iraq is the United States military who invaded that country, deposed its ruler and forced its government and economy to collapse while killing or assisting in causing the death of several hundred thousand Iraq men, women and children.

How would you feel if some nation decided that the U.S. of A. and its military were radical extremist bent on the overthrow of other governments and so they invaded this country? When you went to fight these hypothetical invaders, would you call yourself an insurgent or a partriot who was defending your country?

Now, lets look at another part of your question.

You are making a claim to being a "Christian" and lets define that as being someone who supposedly follows the teachings of Jesus Christ as the same are presented in the New Testament.

Christians call Jesus the "Prince of Peace", who told his followers to love their neighbors and their enemies, to turn the other cheek and to do good for those who persectured them. Jesus also told his immediate followers that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. When the Romans, along with Judas came to arrest Jesus in the garden, he told his followers not to resist as he could call on his Father who would send several legions of angels to defend him if he asked for the same. However, he did not do so. He accepted his death , according to Christians, rather than fight.

What part of loving your neighbor (described as everyone) and doing good even for your enemies, what part of turning the other cheek and following the lived example of the "Prince of Peace" is invading another nation, destroying its way of life and ecomony, culture and traditions?

Yes, I know the "Just War" theory, as well as the historical development of the same and it is simply a crock of bull written by a man who was trying to appease his local government and the Holy Roman empire, a Catholic institution, so as to make it "all right" for them to go on slaughtering those who refused to accept the faith.

Sometime in your life, you will be forced to make a decision as to what you actually believe and the path such beliefs calls you to follow. That time may well be now.

I would advise you to read the New Testament, specifically the Gospels, which are supposedly the teachings of Jesus. (I am not recommneding the Acts, written by Luke under the direction of Paul as Paul was all about pleasing his gentile audience and he never met Jesus and was rebuked by those who had known Jesus, etc.) Discern for yourself what Jesus is saying to you and where he is calling you to go.

Remember, violence never creates peace, it only creates more violence. Hatred does not breed love. If it did, the world and human kind would have solved all of our problems a long time ago.

I pray that God will guide you and that you will heed His guidence.

Ma'a salaam.

Answer 2

The Catholic Religion has a long proud history of using violence to spread the word of Christ . Remember the Crusades , The Inquesitions ,The English and Spainish takeovers of South America and Mexico , The Vatican's Kill a Lutheran for the Pope response , And of course the Kill a commie for Christ campaigns in Korea ,Viet Nam and Cambodia . Join up see the world and have fun !

Answer 3

Hey there!
I love God and I am thankful for how he has blessed me in my life, and I am glad to see that you are one of God's children as well. I would sugges to lift up you worry infront of God and surrend yourself in prayer before making any decision. As you know, you will have to make this decision at the end and all the other people like me can give you comments or suggestions on what to do but the best answer u can get it from our Lord. I don't agree with the war because I don't like the whole idea of seeing people death and seeing families getting destroyed. I understand your pupose of going and I admire your position of having the courage to stop all the bad that exists, but before anything please ask God to direct you and to show you if His will and your purpose of life is to go to war. I
I just took a moment to pray for you, I know God will help you to make a wise decision on these, Trust on Him ;O)

Answer 4

After you join the military, what if the USA goes to war against Venezuela? Most of Venezuela's citizens and soldiers are Catholics. Would you kill your brothers in faith because it is your job to do so?

Answer 5

What ever happened to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"? Or "Thou shalt not kill"? Or "Turn the other cheek"?
If you really believe in your messiah's beautiful words of peace, shouldn't you consider another occupation other than soldier?

Or are you one of those believers who prefers to cherry-pick from the OT and NT about what you want to believe?

I find such questions indicative of the hypocricies lurking just under the surface of "true believers."

If you can't make up your mind based on a moral compass that belongs to you, then what good is any other substitute?

Answer 6

You could join the Coast Guard and help defend the country that way.

Answer 7

Joining the Army isn't wrong at all, but I think you're doing it for all the wrong reasons. You're trying to force people to change their ways, because they don't seem civilized. While that may be true, it's not our duty to try to change Islamic society.

We're over there to prevent radical terrorists from attacking Western societies, such as Europe and the U.S. Why don't you try bringing peace among people, instead of fueling the fire of war? If killing people gives you gratification, then whatever floats your boat.

Answer 8

Enlist.

As far as 'war' goes . . . well - even the most godliest of men entered into battle. Men like Joshua, Gideon, and David - and scriptures say that David "was a man after God's own heart".

Answer 9

Killing someone isn't going to make you feel any better. Why not engage in peace making instead? Why not become an army chaplain instead of a soldier?

"Blessed are the Peacemakers".

Answer 10

Well, God repeatedly commanded his followers to kill people, so if you think killing people is okay, then I guess not. It makes you exactly the same as others who are killing in the name of their religion/god/beliefs. Maybe if you and the jihadists like you kill each other off, the rest of us can live in peace.