A question from a Veteran

[Torreboy87]

Hey folks, I’m new to this forum, but I’ve always had this question on the back of my mind when I was in the service. I recently have finished up my 4 years in the Marines, Did 3 tours of duty in Iraq as an Infantry man. I have always been told that killing is a sin, now my question is; Am I going to fry in Hell for what I’ve done in the war? I can’t see how what I’ve done is justified compared to other people who have commited the same sin. Please straighten this out for me? Thank you.

 

[Brendan_McCabe]

Murder is a sin, killing is not.

Do you consider what you did to be murder?

If so go to confession and confess it to a priest and receive absolution.

There are good reasons for killing sometimes, self defense or the defense of others been two of them, such killing contrary to been a sin are actually good works.

If your not sure go speak to a priest and let him restore peace to your soul, he is the expert and will know what you need, a Catholic military Chaplin would probably be best if you still have access to one.

Whatever you have done in the past there is no reason for you to just quit on God and accept hell as your future, God’s mercy is greater than our sins and His forgiveness is always waiting for our acceptance.

Your eternal destination is not yet decided you have form now until you die left to influence it, the choice of final destination is still very much in your hands.

You might find it helpful to read about soldiers who later went on to become saints, St Ignatius of Loyola for example was a soldier like you who went on to become Saint, there are many more, St. George is another example then there is St. Maurice who is patron saint of armies and infantrymen.

 

[juno24]

Hi, Torreboy87. Welcome to the forums.
Killing, in and of itself, is not necessarily a sin. Murder is a sin. Unintentionally killing someone due your own negligence may be a sin. Killing someone who is attempting to take your life or the life another is probably not a sin. I won’t say it is definitely not a sin, because your intentions play a role in whether you’ve committed a sin or not. If you simply intended to defend yourself or another and the attacker died as a consequence, I don’t believe there is sin in that (I could be wrong, and if I am, someone more knowledgeable will correct me).
If you are troubled by the things you did during your time, why don’t you make an appointment with your chaplain or a local priest to discuss it?
I wish you well, and I thank you for your willingness to sacrifice yourself for others.

 

[Torreboy87]

Thank you for clearing this up somewhat, I do appreciate it. I’ll be honest, I’m not comfortable entering a Church. I have a few tattoos, and was told THAT is also a sin. I just can’t win it seems haha. In the beginning of my service I never thought of my actions in terms of my religion. I was spared several times over there so I guess you can say that I seen the “light” while on tour. Hopefully someone on these forums has a 100% correct answer to give me so I’m aware of where I stand. Thanks for the answers folks.

 

[1ke]

Thank you for clearing this up somewhat, I do appreciate it. I’ll be honest, I’m not comfortable entering a Church. I have a few tattoos, and was told THAT is also a sin. I just can’t win it seems haha. In the beginning of my service I never thought of my actions in terms of my religion. I was spared several times over there so I guess you can say that I seen the “light” while on tour. Hopefully someone on these forums has a 100% correct answer to give me so I’m aware of where I stand. Thanks for the answers folks.

I suggest you go to the Vatican website and read the entire section of the Catechism under the Fifth Commandment. Just scroll down to that section and read through all of them, including the sections on Legitimate Defense & Safeguarding the Peace.

vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

In a nutshell, killing armed combatants during wartime is not a sin. Also, the inadvertent-- unintended-- casualties of civilians can be morally tolerated if this was not the direct target or objective. The direct and intentional killing of innocent civilians who are not involved in the conflict is, of course, another matter.

I hope you will not hold yourself away from the Church any longer based on what you fear might be a sin. If you did commit sins while in the service, no sin is unforgiveable. Go to Confession and ask forgiveness for whatever weighs on your conscience. Find strength and comfort in the Sacraments. We are all sinners, do not be afraid.

As for tattoos, it is not sinful to have a tattoo, per se. If your tattoo depicts something immoral , or has vulgar language, etc, then that would be something to consider removing or covering.

 

[Redratfish]

Thank you for clearing this up somewhat, I do appreciate it. I’ll be honest, I’m not comfortable entering a Church. I have a few tattoos, and was told THAT is also a sin. I just can’t win it seems haha. In the beginning of my service I never thought of my actions in terms of my religion. I was spared several times over there so I guess you can say that I seen the “light” while on tour. Hopefully someone on these forums has a 100% correct answer to give me so I’m aware of where I stand. Thanks for the answers folks.

Tattoos by themselves are not sinful. If they contain a immoral picture or inapropriate language, then perhaps. I can guarentee that no one will judge you inside the Church though. Given the attendance at most Churches I think they would be glad to have you.

 

[joandarc2008]

I received my first Reconciliation over in Iraq from a military chaplain - had it not been for my tour I may not be Catholic now. God forgives - but he also says go and sin no more. Do your best from here and know that He never stopped loving you.

 

[odile53]

My dad and my two uncles were WW II veterans, and in the Normandy invasion. Dad told me years ago that a couple of days after they stormed the beach, they attended Mass in a French village church, and received Holy Communion. I’m sure that they were involved in some close combat, and the fact that they all survived means that they probably did hit an enemy combatant or two. I don’t think they would have been allowed to receive Communion if the priest thought they were in mortal sin.

Also, Dad had a couple of tattoos (a couple of Army insignias.) Later on in life he was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Nobody ever said anything about his tattoos to him.

Why don’t you call a local church, make an appointment with the priest, and discuss your misgivings with him?

 

[Church_Militant]

Thank you for clearing this up somewhat, I do appreciate it. I’ll be honest, I’m not comfortable entering a Church. I have a few tattoos, and was told THAT is also a sin. I just can’t win it seems haha. In the beginning of my service I never thought of my actions in terms of my religion. I was spared several times over there so I guess you can say that I seen the “light” while on tour. Hopefully someone on these forums has a 100% correct answer to give me so I’m aware of where I stand. Thanks for the answers folks.

I found this info with a simple search of the [Ask an Apologist (http://forums.catholic-questions.org/forumdisplay.php?f=4) forum. See if they help about the tattoos.

• Has the church said anything official about body piercing and tattoos
• ** Is excessive tattooing a mortal sin?**

 

[William_Pitts]

Hey folks, I’m new to this forum, but I’ve always had this question on the back of my mind when I was in the service. I recently have finished up my 4 years in the Marines, Did 3 tours of duty in Iraq as an Infantry man… Thank you.

Thank you for your service. I certainly understand the extreme conditions under which you served. I am so glad you are home safely. I see many at the VA hospital who weren’t able to come home whole. Welcome home and thank you again. May God bless you. :clapping:

 

[Brendan_McCabe]

Thank you for clearing this up somewhat, I do appreciate it. I’ll be honest, I’m not comfortable entering a Church. I have a few tattoos, and was told THAT is also a sin. I just can’t win it seems haha. In the beginning of my service I never thought of my actions in terms of my religion. I was spared several times over there so I guess you can say that I seen the “light” while on tour. Hopefully someone on these forums has a 100% correct answer to give me so I’m aware of where I stand. Thanks for the answers folks.

I know a retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant who is also covered in tattoos and goes to Mass every Sunday, a lot of people don’t like him because he can be abrasive and expects others to fulfil their duties as Catholics which sometimes isn’t easy, to others his forthrightness is a breath of fresh air.

Don’t let your service or your appearance keep you away from the sacraments, nor the feminine atmosphere that may be present that I know is a huge barrier for me. Sometimes you have to do things you aren’t comfortable doing as I’m sure you already know.

The Church is the house of your Father, you are always welcome there by Him even if some of your brothers and sisters you find there may not act like it. You belong there and it is there you will find what you need to make it to heaven. Speak to your priest, he can help you in ways no one else can.