I mean if you are a practicing catholic and you went to war against another nation and killed catholics ,wouldn't that be a bad thing, since Jesus said his true followers would have love amongst themselves?
2007-12-26 11:02:12 · 21 answers · asked by paul m 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholics use the rigorous consideration of the “just war” doctrine to determine if defense by military force is legitimate.
Offensive war is never justified.
All the following considerations must be true to justify war:
1. The damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain;
2. All other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective;
3. There must be serious prospects of success;
4. The use of arms must not produce evils and disorders graver than the evil to be eliminated.
WWII against the Nazis was a just and defensive war.
It has been argued the pre-war Iraq:
1. Was not inflicting lasting, grave and certain damage to the United States;
2. Could have been influenced by diplomatic and international sanctions.
It is argued now that:
3. There is not a serious prospect of success;
4. The use of arms has produced evils and disorders greater than the evil eliminated.
The "new" philosophy of the United States to launch wars to get them before they get us can even be argued as an offensive war which would not be justified.
For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, section 2309: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/pt3sect2chpt2art5.htm
With love in Christ.
2008-01-03 06:57:34 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a former Catholic (I'm now Pagan) I can say with due respect that the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church advocates pacifism. The current Pope has spoken against both the Iraq War and the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
However, I find that the most "Christ-like" Christians are those of the Amish, Quaker and Jehovah's Witness faiths. They are FORBIDDEN to take up arms against another human being, even if there own lives are endangered.
Strangely enough, the aforementioned Christian people are classified as "cults" by more mainstream denominations such as the Bible-thumping Baptists, whose leaders in American actually came out in FAVOR of the war in Iraq! Real Christian, huh?
2007-12-26 11:16:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is up to each person's conscience. I wonder how many terrorists are Catholics, even Christians in Iran, and Iraq. However, I am against war and could not justify killing anyone. If I were drafted I would be a conscientious objector. I would be willing to be a medic. or work in intelligence.
2007-12-26 11:45:45 · answer #3 · answered by CrG 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Romans 13:1-4 tells us that God has ordained powers to the government to bear the sword. Those who are part of the government's army are authorized by God to wage war. Individuals are not authorized to wage war on their own.
2007-12-26 12:25:21 · answer #4 · answered by Steve Husting 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let's see. How many wars have there been where one Christian nation fought another. Not many I think. The Civil War I suppose, but I would say that war was justified.
2007-12-26 11:08:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
As Christians we are always at war , but it is with evil and God has told us the battle is His give it to Him .. Now at times like WW2, Korea or Nam , we protect the innocent and fight for freedom , it is not Christian country against Christian country.
2007-12-26 11:40:42 · answer #6 · answered by the only 1 hobo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wars are like knives. they can kill, and they can save. It is the state of your mind, and the intention with which you go to war that defines if you are on the side of beauty (good) or on the side of excess (evil).
I believe in any war, you will find both good and evil people on both sides.
In Love and Light.
2007-12-26 11:19:46 · answer #7 · answered by Babak Kaveh 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I hear a lot of "Christians" who quote the old testament to justify their actions. "Eye for an eye" and all that. I ask: why are Christians quoting the old testament? Shouldn't they be quoting the sermon on the mount instead?
You're right...Jesus would never condone war.
2007-12-26 11:09:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I don't. And most Catholics I know were against this war from the beginning. Stop painting with such a broad brush...
2007-12-26 11:05:16 · answer #9 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Luke 22:36 >>
New American Standard Bible
And He said to them, "But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.
2007-12-26 11:23:52 · answer #10 · answered by Fatima 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋