Should Christians Join The Military?

[Guest d62447]

Take Heed That No Man Deceive You

Should Christians Join The Military Services?

To read this article, click:

http://mikevinson.home.mindspring.com/military.html

[Guest Calamity]

This is taken from the site mentioned in the link below, and although I cannot say I agree with every word (especially the ones I replaced with ****), it makes some good points.

(edited by Calamity: oops - I removed the whole paragraph with the ****'s)

http://www.carmical.net/articles/pacifism.html

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

Those who feel that Christians should refrain from retaliation point to Jesus' words, "Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also"(Matthew 5:39). While it might seem that Jesus is calling for pacifism at first glance, a simple analysis of the words used reveals that this is not the case. Note the specification of right cheek. Why would He need to make such a specification? In fact, it doesn't really make much sense, because if someone were to hit you on your right cheek, it means they either hit you from behind or they caught you with a left hook. Most people, however, are right-handed, and have not had boxing lessons. Therefore, in the majority of cases, you are going to get slapped on your left cheek.

Actually, the phrase used in this passage is a Jewish idiom which refers to a slap with the back of your hand; in other words, an insult. If someone insults you, you should not insult them back. People who use this verse further fail to mention that this is a situation involving individuals and does not apply to governmental affairs. The government is not a personality and has no thoughts or actions of its own. It exists to see that justice is done.

JESUS WAS NOT A PACIFIST

People who claim that Jesus was a pacifist are ignoring more than half the Bible. Jesus was not a prophet with His own agenda; Jesus was and is God. He is the God of the Old Testament. Jesus is Jehovah, the God who commanded the Israelites to go to war. David said, "Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle (Psalm 144:1)." We know that Jesus was not a pacifist (someone who denounces all forms of violence for any reason) because the Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore (Hebrews 13:8). He did not change His mind suddenly in the New Testament, so any teachings must be taken in that context.

We have a record of Jesus meeting a Roman centurion--an army officer who most likely achieved his rank because he was skilled at battle. After talking with this soldier for a few minutes, Jesus did not tell him to put down his sword, nor did he tell him to retire from the military. Instead, he praised the man's faith, saying that he had more faith than anyone He had met (Matthew 8:5-13).

THE CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD WAR

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven...A time of war, And a time of peace (Ecclesiastes 3:1,8)

[ted]

I always ask, should NON- Christians join the military??

Imagine what the armed services would be like if it was ALL Christian, though not in the papal sense.

Just look in the origins of the US and you can easily see that this nation was founded on the Word of Christ. Shouldn't its army reflect that?

Have fun with this one....

t.

[WayneB]

Right on Ted! (that's a big Amen)

Imagine what our society would be like if ALL lawyers, judges, business leaders, college professors, school teachers, politicians, and on and on [can't leave out church going folks] were Christians.

The US military IS NOT an evil empire! How can some of you be so sure that the US Military, the strongest in the world, is not a tool provided us by God to perform His will. God provided David an army. God provided Gideon an army. How do you explain the military conquests of Joshua, one of the greatest military leaders of all time?

Is the US military all good and without sin? NO way, no more than those churches that preach peace but ignore the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ouch! Sorry, just speaking from the heart.

God Bless all,

Wayne

[JP1]

I have served in both the United States Marine Corps, and the Michigan Army National Guard. I'm almost offended that someone would even bring this up. I can tell you that God is first and foremost in our Military. Even in the Marine Corps, with its strict discipline and required dedication, stresses that our priorities are ALWAYS to be "God, country, Corps" - in THAT order! This is instilled in us from the time we are in boot camp until we leave the Corps. In boot camp, the ONLY time that we are given to ourselves, away from the drill instructors, is on Sunday mornings, to attend worship services. We were provided New Testaments to carry in our pockets, and there is a Chaplain available to every unit throughout the Corps.

[Guest LadyC]

I have served in both the United States Marine Corps, and the Michigan Army National Guard.  I'm almost offended that someone would even bring this up.  I can tell you that God is first and foremost in our Military.  Even in the Marine Corps, with its strict discipline and required dedication, stresses that our priorities are ALWAYS to be "God, country, Corps" - in THAT order! This is instilled in us from the time we are in boot camp until we leave the Corps.  In boot camp, the ONLY time that we are given to ourselves, away from the drill instructors, is on Sunday mornings, to attend worship services.  We were provided New Testaments to carry in our pockets, and there is a Chaplain available to every unit throughout the Corps.

i'm not, nor have i ever been, in the military, but i'm as "almost offended" as you are. God wasn't a pacifist. His command to turn the other cheek did not extend to putting your life and the lives of others at risk. God was leading His people into war from the beginning of time, and in the NT, gives the government the authority to go into war against enemy nations.

JP1, i want to thank you for your service to this country. I want to thank you for protecting MY life, and the lives of my family, with your own. May God bless you, and our troops, enormously.

[His son]

I have served in both the United States Marine Corps, and the Michigan Army National Guard. I'm almost offended that someone would even bring this up. I can tell you that God is first and foremost in our Military. Even in the Marine Corps, with its strict discipline and required dedication, stresses that our priorities are ALWAYS to be "God, country, Corps" - in THAT order! This is instilled in us from the time we are in boot camp until we leave the Corps. In boot camp, the ONLY time that we are given to ourselves, away from the drill instructors, is on Sunday mornings, to attend worship services. We were provided New Testaments to carry in our pockets, and there is a Chaplain available to every unit throughout the Corps.

Amen!! and Amen!!

I to served in two of our wars in the Navy, and God is very much alive in our services, and for all of you who buy into that communist doctrine, you are actually supporting the enemies of this country, and you are a disgrace to those boys who are over there right now laying it all on the line for you.

[irishcowboy]

as a retired sailor, I would have to say that each person would have to search their own heart and spend time in prayer in order that they might know what God has instore for them.....

there are many many many things that would almost go against what a Christian believes..... there will and is many things that test, challenge and push a Christian to limits......

there is presure from many area's to go against true Christian living....

a person will have to be strong in Spirit inorder to with stand some of the presure..... even during the so called " fun " times.... such as with the Shellback initiation and such.... some of the things that are done during these times may or may not be wholesome Christian antics.......

war and such, the reason for the battles / fighting would also have to be searched in the heart and with God to determine whether or not that you are right in joining.........

remember..... once you join, you have just signed away several years of your life...... that some one else controls.... you have just become a servant, a bond servant... so to speak.... for you are then told when to get up, when you can eat, what to wear, when to change cloths, when to work when you can depart from work, where you can go and can not go ( even during your off time there are limitations.... on and off base....) during off time you may have limits on the distance you may travel from the base.... and even 40 year olds have had curfews........ have seen several hundred people restricted to the ship for what one person did ( mass punishment ) ( this actually happened to two ships of over 500 people each, because of two people ( one from each ship ) got in a fight, and you have over 1000 people restricted to the ship for not just one port call, but several...... wow..... out of 6 months underway, we were in port a total of 27 days, and out of those 27 days, there was only 6 days, I was ashore ( other then for duty runs..... )

if you can live in a space with 3 - 100 other people, sleep, eat, exercise, work and play with the same people day in and day out...... if you can get by with no cigarettes for two months ( boot camp ) if you can live with out seeing family for sometimes a year at a time or longer, if you can live in solitude ( being you are a "CHRISTISN" ) then you might consider the Military....

it is not as easy a life as you might think.......

now,

if you are one that can perform without needing an ATTABOY every time you do something good, and can overlook others getting the ATTABOYs for something you or others did..... if you are a TRUE servant and willing to put up with serving others for several years....... if you are a true leader ( a leader has to also know how to follow in order to have people follow them )

if you want to do something for some one else..... if you want to be strengthened in many ways, while still maintaining your faith...... if you really feel you can do some good.....

then maybe it is for you......

******** I can tell you that God is first and foremost in our Military*********

I would have to question this statement ........

when you have a man "sabataging" communications equipment, that claims to be a Christian, and when was brought up on charges, they didnt even make it past the department....

when you have at least 90% of all that depart the ship grabbing profolatics as they depart for shore liberty ( most of them married )......

when you have no one in your sleeping compartment that dont use the Lords name as it is intended.....

when you have to find the most secluded section of the ship ( no mans land ( which is the most forward compartment or place on the ship during rough seas ) to be able to study or pray with out being harrassed...

when you can not walk into a space and hear normal plain language ( non-foul / non-sexual ) and it dont matter if it is male or female talking....

come now......

there are alot of people that will only turn to God when it is convienient for them........

If you are being lead, then go, if not, dont.....

mike

[JP1]

******** I can tell you that God is first and foremost in our Military*********

I would have to question this statement ........

when you have at least 90% of all that depart the ship grabbing profolatics as they depart for shore liberty ( most of them married )......

when you have no one in your sleeping compartment that dont use the Lords name as it is intended.....

when you have to find the most secluded section of the ship ( no mans land ( which is the most forward compartment or place on the ship during rough seas ) to be able to study or pray with out being harrassed...

when you can not walk into a space and hear normal plain language ( non-foul / non-sexual ) and it dont matter if it is male or female talking....

come now......

there are alot of people that will only turn to God when it is convienient for them........

You just described society as a whole. As a matter of fact, you just described where I work right now! And where I worked just prior to this job!! Would you not expect the military to reflect the society from whence it's members came?

When I said "I can tell you that God is first and foremost in our Military", I was not referring to the actions of each individual Soldier/Sailor/Marine/Airman. I was referring to the establishment. "God, country, Corps." I did not mean it to say that our military is overflowing with Christians spreading the Word of God! (Although there are many Christians that do serve in the military).

You come across as a little bitter. We had our liberty canceled in Germany too, because of a few individuals fighting in town, but I have never really given it a second thought.

You are right, the military is certainly not for everyone. You have to be ready to perform hard labor to the point of exaustion, deal with strict discipline, and put your life on the line. I was not trying to suggest that the military was for everyone. To say that a Christian can't serve though is ludicrous. I am proud of my military service, and hold no bitterness.

[WayneB]

I am proud of my military service, and hold no bitterness.

Me too buddy. I had opportunities in the service that I would never had been given in real world. As a 21 year old man, I was responsible for 50 men and $3 million of equipment. I gained training and experience that prepared me for my career in manufacturing once I got out. It was hard work (spending the day in MOPP4 in 100 degF heat was not a cakewalk) and exciting in some ways, but it was necessary and had value. Were there bad people in the service? Of coarse...there are bad people everywhere. But I have to agree with you...God was first and foremost in the Military as an organization. We had Sunday services when we were in the field and we were taught God, Duty and Country...in that order. Were we angels? No Were we saved? Some were, some weren't. Regardless, the US military has led the way in correcting many of the ills with society...the first to integrate, the first to open doors to women in leadership rolls, and so on. Is it perfect? No one has claimed that to be true.

OK, my rant is over.

God Bless, Wayne