Should Christians take part in War?

Question

Yes or No, and why?

Those who use the argument that the Bible says we are not to kill are wrong. Check out the original hebrew meaning of the word and the context in which it is used. The Bible tells us that it is wrong to murder, not kill. God does not contradict himself. If it was wrong to kill, then God telling the Israelites to destroy the wicked peoples would be wrong...and that just cannot be. Thus, it is only wrong to murder.

The fact is, war is needed, a lot of times, to promote peace. Imagine what would have happened if there was no war to stop hitler from turning the world into a fascist state.

Furthermore, the Bible teaches that Jesus himself along with his followers will come back to earth in the future to destroy the armies of satan. Thus, killing is not wrong. Murder is wrong.

Keep discussing, this is getting interesting.

Those who say,

Turn the other cheek...

You won't have a cheek to turn if the enemy blows it off with their rifles...







And, those who use the argument, "The Bible tells us to love, and thus killing is not loving."

Wrong. What if there was somebody trying to kill your family. Would you let your Christian love toward the criminal take precedence over the love for your family.

come on people...debate!

Answer 1

To defend your country of course! Unless you wish to be taken over by Communists or Unbelievers!

The choice is yours.............

Answer 2

My short answer is that never mind taking part in wars - Christians should bloody well rather not START the freakin wars in the first place!!!

My long answer is that what you need to know about christians is that there is no right or wrong answer. They can justify anything and everything. And they do. They do this by quoting words, part sentences, full sentences, part phrases, two different sections in and out of context to do whatever suites them. Oh yes- and depending on if the tide is in or the moon is full the answer may vary by the time of the day!

What they dont realize is that you cant justify something by what is NOT the word of god as 1. god didnt write the book but some combination of humans did 2.. the book was then translated and retranslated and reconfigured to suite some kings along the way.

Answer 3

Christians who know the scriptures, know that To take up arms and to kill your fellows makes you the enemy of God.
(James 4:1-6) . . .From what source are there wars and from what source are there fights among YOU? Are they not from this source, namely, from YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure that carry on a conflict in YOUR members? 2 YOU desire, and yet YOU do not have. YOU go on murdering and coveting, and yet YOU are not able to obtain. YOU go on fighting and waging war. YOU do not have because of YOUR not asking. 3 YOU do ask, and yet YOU do not receive, because YOU are asking for a wrong purpose, that YOU may expend [it] upon YOUR cravings for sensual pleasure. 4 Adulteresses, do YOU not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God. 5 Or does it seem to YOU that the scripture says to no purpose: “It is with a tendency to envy that the spirit which has taken up residence within us keeps longing”? 6 However, the undeserved kindness which he gives is greater. Hence it says: “God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.”. . .

Answer 4

Oh, here comes an unpopular answer...NO.
Jesus Christ told us how we are to treat our enemies, and trying to kill them is not one of them.
This is how it is.
Constantine found a ready army in the oppressed group known as the Christians. Using them, he gained power, telling them that he himself was guided by a vision, and that when he succeeded, Christians would no longer be persecuted. Both used each other to get what they wanted.
Later, Luther declared that there was such a thing as a "just" war.
Christ spoke otherwise.

Answer 5

If it is just, yes
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CCC 2309 - The strict conditions for legitimate defense by military force require rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time:

the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;

all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;

there must be serious prospects of success;

the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition.

These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine. The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.

Answer 6

NO ONE SHOULD fight EVIL with EVIL,otherwise it makes you no better .If everyone had that philosphy to life, then no wars would even start.

Take "Catholic Crusader's" response of "if it is just, then yes. "

What is "just" and "fair" is a matter of subjective social relativity and depends so much on ones values, beliefs,social codes, life experiences etc; therefore its best to respect each others beliefs and be as peaceful as possible. It would be extremely rare that we had to use any violence. Also, war can perpetuate misdoings and misdeeds and is an example to our younger generations that conflict cannot be dealt with in diplomacy, discussion and middle-ground cannot be reached. We neglect our higher selves,our godgiven rational fore-brain and intellect when we fight and go towar.

BTW I almost want to laugh, if itwere not so sad, at the number of people calling themselves christians on here who condone war. They seem to be hiding excuses for subtle emotional and physical violence behind morality and "the greater ,collective good" - pointing towards their brain-washed minds. The deciders of this collective good are often despotic and corrupt individuals sending innocent people to their meaningless death. Very sad.

IF MY FAMILY were being hurt, then defense under these circumstances would be acceptable. This form of attack would be as the last resort, say if my child was faced with a knife. However, this IS NOT MAKING WAR against an enemy,when discussion could take place. We COULD discuss with other world leaders, but often each one is despotic,controlling and mean with hidden agendas.

IF NO-ONE TOOK PART IN WAR- THEN THERE WOULD BE NOOOOOOOO WAR. If people of whatever faith, creed or colour said "NO HITLER we wont do your dirty work" and "No bin laden we wont fight" and "No bush, we wont go to war" and "Stuff it Blair, we think violece wont get us anywhere" then there would be no WAR. Get it??????!!!

(To mesquito) the defintion of Totalitarianism is actually yours. You call pacifists who think for themselves "cowardly" when they are actaully displaying human kindness, and will not be brainwashed by mass media and "the collective good" against the "common enemy". HAve you actually ever met the people that are being slaughtered who are your countries "enemies"? Have you?. Have you stopped to think now,that 99% of the wars that are happening now are in fact social constructs and that youhave been manipulated into thinking that your way of life is at risk from other people when in fact altho threats are there it sint half as bad as you have been led to believe? This manipulation through TV,newspaper, radio IS Totalitarianism -fascist New World Order State.Wake up and smell the coffee. Im certainly not condoning terrorist or anarchic acts, but I am making you aware of reverse pyschology politics and mass control - quite evident here through the use of archaic books and religious institutions. And , unfortunately,it seems to be working.God help mankind.

Answer 7

In my personal opinion, no. However, that's just my opinion. I'm a Christian, and I'm a pacifist. I feel that deliberately killing other people in acts of warfare goes against everything that Christ taught. How can His words, "Blessed are the peacemakers" translate into "Slaughtering your fellow human beings is okay"?

Answer 8

The Bible does not condemn war nor does it condemn the death sentence. Therefore, it is up to the person to make their own decisions. It is a command to follow the leaders of the country that are over you. (This is from Bible teaching.)

It is the cowards that are afraid to go to war that object to serving the country. They condemn the people that support our form of government in favor of totalitarianism. (This is my observance)

Answer 9

i don't think the war has anything to do with christianity.

it's a personal choice and opinion despite your religion. you're either for it, you're not, or you would change some things about it if you could.

why would being a christian change your view on the war? you're not in some type of cult, you can think and feel what you want.

Answer 10

Christians may take part in war. There are countless instances of God's people in battle throughout the old testament. The commandment "Thou shalt not kill" refers to murder, not war.

Answer 11

No! because 'thou shalt not kill' and also 'turn the other cheek'!!!
Hitler was also a Christian.
What a complete load of rubbish it all is???