Is it a sin to join the military and have to kill

[Desdichado]

God has called many of his children to serve in the military.

You may not be one of those who are so called. If your conscience is so severely troubled at the thought of it, you're certainly not in their number.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

I´m pretty shocked by some answers here. Any form of taking anyone´s life is a sin, how could people ever doubt that? If in doubt about if something is a sin or not think about the fruits your action will bear. God created everyone, would you taking the a life please God or make Him upset?

I agree about the killing part, morally ... and I would see myself as a murderer even if I killed in self defence, as a soldier etc
but ... God did repeatedly tell His people to kill, even wipe out villages.

 

[Tommy379]

The US Military is entirely volunteer. Just don't join if you have moral objections. The job of the Army is to win a war. Wars are almost always won by seizing land. Land is almost always seized by killing the enemy. The job of a soldier is to kill the enemy. Even if you have a non-combat job in the Army, you are there to support the men who kill the enemy. It's 0600 on the east coast now. Right now I'm sure there is a drill instructor that is yelling "What makes the green grass grow?" And the recruits are screaming "Blood, Blood, lots of Blood sir."

The various militias that make the armed forces of a nation are very important. Don't think for a second that half the nations of this world wouldn't love to roll over the United States.

God created men to be bakers, carpenters, mechanics, and soldiers.

If the jihadies were intent on decapitating my son and raping my daughter, or any of yours, this Christian would cut them down. The only thing they would find in the afterlife is, 72 Virginians kicking the crap out of them for all eternity.

If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes;
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.

The last lines of the Marine Corps hymn is proof God loves those who serve.

 

[Tinuviel]

I´m pretty shocked by some answers here. Any form of taking anyone´s life is a sin, how could people ever doubt that? If in doubt about if something is a sin or not think about the fruits your action will bear. God created everyone, would you taking the a life please God or make Him upset?

Do you believe God would command His people to sin? God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Yet He sanctioned going to war and even commanded it in several places in the Bible. He is perfect and will not command His people to do a sinful act.

That being said, even though it is not sin I think we can derive the fact that God is not very happy with it from the story of King David. When David wanted to build an house for the LORD, God's response is basically, "No, my son, you have killed in war. Let the peaceful generation following you build." (paraphrase). We know by David's response that God was not convicting him of sin, but merely stating facts. Is God happy with war? a resounding NO. Is war sometimes necessary in this sinful, fallen world? I'll never be able to convince anyone of this, but in my heart I know that the answer is yes.

 

[Awakened]

This forum reminded me of the movie, Hacksaw Ridge. Excellent movie, based on a true story.

Here's the movie description if anyone is interested in watching it. ☺

The extraordinary true story of conscientious objector Desmond T. Doss who saved 75 men in Okinawa, during the bloodiest battle of WWII, without firing a single shot. Believing that the war was just but killing was nevertheless wrong, he was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon. As an army medic Doss single-handedly evacuated the wounded near enemy lines - braving enemy fire and putting his own life on the line. He was the first conscientious objector to ever win the Congressional Medal of Honor

 

[Socreta93]

No and don't disrespect our troops. One of my best friends joined the military and he's a Christian. Is it a sin to fight for your country and protect it?

 

[wwjd_kilden]

No and don't disrespect our troops. One of my best friends joined the military and he's a Christian. Is it a sin to fight for your country and protect it?

He is not disrespecting them, he is asking a question about sin.
If EVERYONE saw all forms of killing as sin, and lived by it, we wouldn't need armed forces.

 

[DavidvanHolten]

Let God decide what to do with people who harm you or your family. In my opinion it is not up to us to take someone's life. If there is a threat let God deal with it. I trust him more than I trust myself. (in my opinion)

And you can't compare what happened in the old testament with the modern military. God led Israel's many campaigns. God destroyed the evil ways of the Canaanites and yes God took their lives. But it's right for God to slaughter women and children anytime he pleases. God gives life and he takes life. Everybody who dies, dies because God wills that they die. (in my opinion)

Now it is not up to us nor any government to take someones life. God commanded killings because God was the immediate king of a people, Israel, in that period of the old testament and that is different than the way he is the king over the church, which is from all the peoples and does not have a political nor ethnic dimension to it. It is for everyone to decide if a government has the same authority as God. And I believe God is sovereign and therefore taking someone else's life is an atrocious act against God. (in my opinion)

 

[tourist]

It is 100 percent a sin unless commanded by God himself murder in any form from is wrong.

I hardly believe that killing in defense of your country is a sin. There are numerous passages in the bible that pertains to war situations.

 

[Tommy379]

I hardly believe that killing in defense of your country is a sin. There are numerous passages in the bible that pertains to war situations.

It's weird how people keep calling it murder. Do they not know, murder requires malice?

 

[Miri]

It's weird how people keep calling it murder. Do they not know, murder requires malice?

You reminded me of the cities of refuge for unintentional murder.

 

[Tommy379]

You reminded me of the cities of refuge for unintentional murder.

That's the thing Miri, there is no unintentional murder.

Homicide= The killing of a person lawfully or unlawfully.
Manslaughter = The unlawful killing of a person with intent to commit another crime that resulted in the death. Some jurisdictions allow this charge without intent to commit a crime if gross negligence is involved
Murder= the unlawful killing of a person with intent and malice.
Malice= evil intent.

 

[Socreta93]

That's the thing Miri, there is no unintentional murder.

Homicide= The killing of a person lawfully or unlawfully.
Manslaughter = The unlawful killing of a person with intent to commit another crime that resulted in the death. Some jurisdictions allow this charge without intent to commit a crime if gross negligence is involved
Murder= the unlawful killing of a person with intent and malice.
Malice= evil intent.

I agree with what you said. The right word is killing not murder. Murder is a type of killing

 

[Blueblonde9916]

I don't think it is just because we are supposed to do as Jesus does. He defended his temple, we defend our nation. He defended people being chased by souldiers and drowned them and their horses and broke their chariots. I think it is fine to defend our country. And he even has said that while we may not be of this world, we are in it and we should have patriotic responsibility for our country. Of course, murder is another thing.

Ifsomeone is just going out there just to kill becuase they hate those people but not becuase they are defending their country, then I think it would be a sin. But in a forced situation, then I'm sure it's not a sin. Becuase you wouldn't have to be forced if you were wanting to kill them for reasons other than defense

 

[Rickyrickster]

ive always wondered the same question. But I mean at any time they could send you to war to kill innocent people like they're doing Isis. I'm new to Christianity and still learning but I feel like God wouldn't call you to do that. The Bible does say that no one can stop war it has to happen, nations vs nations so my guess is they'll need everyone that is trained to fight. we shouldn't be apart of that. You know how church is important? Well there's no church when you go to training and probably won't even let you have a bible( not sure about that) so your spirit is gonna get cold and forget Gods word.
Overall I think you should pray about it and ask the Lord to guide you
Bros and sis what do you think about this ?

 

[Colt45Bullet]

Even if you join the military in a non combat position, like a mechanic or or RADAR technician your part of something that does kill. But no, its not a sin. The best Christians I've meet either are or where in the military

 

[Silverwings]

The Three
God-ordained Institutions
FAMILY, GOVERNMENT, CHURCH
Originally delivered at Trimble, Ohio October 11-13, 2013
There are three institutions that God instituted upon this earth: the Government, the Family and the
Church. Each has its responsibilities, obligations and function.

Ordination in the Bible means that it was appointed. Thus, when we speak of these three as being
God-ordained, what we are saying is that God appointed that these three institutions exist and function in
its proper setting.

The government establishes and maintains order.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are
ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that
resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt
thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is
the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword
in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye
must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute
also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their
dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
(Romans 13:1-7 KJV)

Government is established to maintain order. Unfortunately, not everyone does what they are supposed to.
There is a need to control and regulate those who will not do what is right. The government serves that
purpose, both domestically and internationally. Thus, whether it is the actions of the police or of the
military, they do not bear the sword in vain. This includes the use of deadly force. A sword is not used to
spank.

As one police officer stated, “You can debate the prohibitive impact of capital punishment, but there is one
thing for sure: It reduces the amount of repeat offenders.”

But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a
righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane,
for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile
themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that
is contrary to sound doctrine; (1 Timothy 1:8-10 KJV)

Anarchy, or the absence of government and regulation, is not the solution. That leaves things in confusion
and disarray. It allows for bad and evil men to prevail. Government is necessary.

321Biblestudy.com

 

[peacenik]

originally its written ''you shall not murder''
kill is a mistranslation. So its not a sin. God calls people into all places

Jesus's disciples taught that to hate another is an act of murder and the punishment would be eternal death: I John 3:15.

 

[peacenik]

I just wanted to know if You are in the military and you are put in a position where you have to kill is it a sin

Luke 3:14 answers that question in that John the baptist told the soldiers they are to do harm to no one and to be content with their wages.

Thomas Merton wrote about this and stated that soldiers who converted to Christianity were now restricted to constabulary duties as "peace officers", not military officers. They were compelled to honor their 30 year employment contracts but could not engage in any violence as that violated early New Testament Christian teaching. Early history clearly shows that his teachings were heeded and that converted soldiers did NOT engage in combat:

Army — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY


Even Edward Gibbon, the world's foremost authority on the Roman Empire, agreed with this statement.