When someone kills someone else it is a sin, is that the same for people in the army?

Question

I was curious as killing someone is a sin, generally is in any culture, however when we look at events like Iraq for instance many of the US troops I believe are Christian, and have more than likely killed someone in combat.
How do people feel about this? is killing right under any circumstance?

adam - i would not want to join the army to kill people... if thats what you think I don't think I'm the 'sicko' I'm just curious if there is a distinction

Answer 1

of course it is, how can there be any distinction?

the ten commandments say explicitly, "thou shalt not kill" - there are no let out causes.

since then, judeo-christianity has been twisting itself into knots, trying to invent exceptions, the most common being "if the ruler/government tells you to" or if it is "in the name of religion".

i studied india under the raj, and one of the most interesting comments i came across, on why muslims were preferred over hindus was that the british administrators admired the warlike islam over the fatalistic hinduism. they were quite jealous that islam has no namby-pamby veto on killing.

how tony blair purports to be a christian of any kind is preposterous, when his actions have caused thousands of murders in iraq. he must think that he is exempt from the ten commandments.

one of the jolliest things about humans is that we can persuade ourselves anything. :)

Answer 2

The sin is not in killing, the original words were, "Thou shalt not murder". There is a difference between killing for protection, or even for revenge of a murder and killing for no good reason. We each kill each time we eat or breathe or walk. We must kill to live. Even Vegans kill the vegetables that they eat. When a life is taken without reasonable purpose it is a murder. That is the sin.
The army and it's soldiers protect us from harm so they do not, as a general rule, murder. That is not always the case. Hitler and Saddam Husein proved that when they murdered members of their own populations just because their beliefs were different. I would direct you to talk to your religious or spiritual leader to better understand this in the context of your own belief system because there are those whose beliefs require that they not bring harm to another human regardless of the reasons that they may have. If you have no one that you can discuss this with then spend some quiet time pondering the difference between murder and killing in defense of yourself or your loved ones. "Pray" about it and ask for understanding of the topic. Sleep on it and continue to ponder it until you find a resolution to it.
Killing is never a good or easy thing to do but there are circumstances wherein all of us will kill. Living with it is something that is very hard to do especially for someone who questions the morality of killing. Counseling is usually required to come to grips with the moral judgement of deciding it was necessary.

Answer 3

Apparently it is NOT a sin to murder people just because you are ORDERED to do so.

IF you were a REAL christian you will not volunteer for the army anyway.

However if the DRAFT ever comes back, christians may have no choce but to be drafted or to be a draft dodger.

Then if they get told to kill, thats what they must go - or they go to jail for disobeying a senior officers order.

So if we agree that killing is murder - then every single soldier who has killed an Iraqi person, should be on trial for muder, and jailed with no chance of parole.

That includes George W Bush since he gives the orders and he ordered Saddam Hussein to be hanged. Also includes the hangman on that occassion.

Answer 4

From the Roman Catholic Catechism:

Just War (2307-17)

All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. Despite this admonition of the Church, it sometimes becomes necessary to use force to obtain the end of justice. This is the right, and the duty, of those who have responsibilities for others, such as civil leaders and police forces. While individuals may renounce all violence those who must preserve justice may not do so, though it should be the last resort, "once all peace efforts have failed." [Cf. Vatican II, Gaudium et spes 79, 4]

As with all moral acts the use of force to obtain justice must comply with three conditions to be morally good. First, the act must be good in itself. The use of force to obtain justice is morally licit in itself. Second, it must be done with a good intention, which as noted earlier must be to correct vice, to restore justice or to restrain evil, and not to inflict evil for its own sake. Thirdly, it must be appropriate in the circumstances. An act which may otherwise be good and well motivated can be sinful by reason of imprudent judgment and execution.

In this regard Just War doctrine gives certain conditions for the legitimate exercise of force, all of which must be met:

"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. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition" [CCC 2309].

The responsibility for determining whether these conditions are met belongs to "the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good." The Church's role consists in enunciating clearly the principles, in forming the consciences of men and in insisting on the moral exercise of just war.

The Church greatly respects those who have dedicated their lives to the defense of their nation. "If they carry out their duty honorably, they truly contribute to the common good of the nation and the maintenance of peace. [Cf. Gaudium et spes 79, 5]" However, she cautions combatants that not everything is licit in war. Actions which are forbidden, and which constitute morally unlawful orders that may not be followed, include:

- attacks against, and mistreatment of, non-combatants, wounded soldiers, and prisoners;

- genocide, whether of a people, nation or ethnic minorities;

- indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants.

Given the modern means of warfare, especially nuclear, biological and chemical, these crimes against humanity must be especially guarded against.

In the end it is not enough to wage war to achieve justice without treating the underlying causes. "Injustice, excessive economic or social inequalities, envy, distrust, and pride raging among men and nations constantly threaten peace and cause wars. Everything done to overcome these disorders contributes to building up peace and avoiding war" [CCC 2317]. The Church has no illusions that true justice and peace can be attained before the Coming of the Lord. It is the duty of men of good will to work towards it, nonetheless. In the words of the spiritual dictum, we should work as if everything depended upon our efforts, and pray as if everything depended upon God.

Answer 5

I beleive it's murder that's a sin. mosus comited murder but for good reason read about it in exodus. When put in a position were it's kill or be killed it's just self preservation I don't believe that's a sin.

Answer 6

No,

All killing is very wrong but when your a soldier you don't have a choice..........

1) In war the enemy will shoot you dead without hesitation it's either him or you. You better drop him and drop him fast if you want to live.

2) If you don't shoot your enemy People in your unit may die when he points his weapon or rifle at them and then you'll have to live the rest of your life with that on your conscious

Edit:

Oh and for the People who thumbed me down thanks
I suppose you would just stand there and do nothing if
your buddies needed you when a Terrorist was aiming
his rifle at them thank God I don't have to go to war with
you and put my life in your hands!

Answer 7

According to most religions killing to defend your country is not a sin. BUT the American soldiers are killing on behalf of their country in an illegal war and not in defence of their own homeland.
Preemptive stricks are murder in all religions of the world.
According to the bible ignorance will be no defence before god..!!

Answer 8

Soldiers in the God Yahweh's military are not committing murder in Yahweh's eyes when killing in combat.

Answer 9

The line between murder and the authorized taking of life is a matter of authority. An executioner is held blameless because he is carrying out an act of the state as a representative of the state. Soldiers have the same immunity. Spiritually both probably cross a line internally if they enjoy their work. Without that immunity a soldiers necessary work would carry an impossible load on the conscience. Even with it is impossible for some.

Answer 10

Once again we have the discussion over the definition of "kill" and "murder". It is so basic I'm not going there again.
Why do you think that the Army arrests people like Lt Calley (Vietnam) for killing all those people in the village of MaiLai?
Because they were MURDERED!
Get a grip.