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Mannyfit75
Guest
In your opinion do you think the Americans who dropped the bomb in Japan in Aug 6, 1945 on Hiroshima and Aug 8, 1945 Nagaski are going to Hell because they killed thousands of human beings?
Are those who drop the Atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagaski in hell?
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Simon_X
Guest
I don’t understand how this question can even be asked. The world was at war. This was not some random act of murder. There was a real chance that the United States could have lost this war and been under the subject of either Nazi Germany or the Imperial Japanese.
With all due respect OP, let’s not second guess our leaders from 60 years ago and rewrite history. It was all terrible and unfortunate, but the decisions that were made did, in fact, speed up the end of a bloody war. Should this have been done or were there other options? We can’t really guess from where we’re at…
My opinion anyway…some will probably disagree…
With all due respect OP, let’s not second guess our leaders from 60 years ago and rewrite history. It was all terrible and unfortunate, but the decisions that were made did, in fact, speed up the end of a bloody war. Should this have been done or were there other options? We can’t really guess from where we’re at…
My opinion anyway…some will probably disagree…
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CWBetts
Guest
I don’t mean to sound pious, but since when is it our place to say who is in heaven and who is in hell? Isn’t it our duty to pray for the dead in purgatory? How can we possibly know anything about the condition of anyone’s soul?
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ohioszo
Guest
My Dad likely fed the mechanics and the men who flew the planes, from where bombs were dropped. What was his concern at the time? … Feeding the hungry, avoiding getting killed, punishing a man who refused to serve the Tuskegee Airmen, writing letters making sure that his girlfriend stayed true to him, owning a dog, transporting the men to Mass on Sundays, and saving the taxpayer money on supplies.
He is what is described in the psalm readings, this week, as being a righteous man.
If it hadn’t been dropped, the war would have lasted longer.
PS Please read about the horrorific bombing. I also believe that the bomb harmed or killed many civilians who were Catholic in those cities.
Happy Veteran’s Day!
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Blade_and_Blood
Guest
Maybe. We won’t find out til we kick the bucket ourselves. 
Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood
Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood
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mpernot
Guest
It is not my place to condemn anyone to hell or promote them to heaven. That being said, I would think that the intentions of U.S. leadership at the time and those involved would come into play.
The U.S. military estimated that the cost of a full-blown invasion of mainland Japan would have been in the ballpark of 3 million people. This only includes allied figures. I believe the human cost of the two atomic bombs was about 240,000 (80,000 at Hiroshima and 160,000 at Nagasaki).
Keep in mind that the Japanese were preparing to fight a mainland invasion to the very last man, woman, and child. They were teaching “civilians” how to make spears out of bamboo so that everyone would have a weapon. Everyone who could walk was to be used to defend the empire. I don’t know the population of Japan at the time, but you would have to factor that into the loss of life for a mainland invasion. Feel free to correct me on the numbers if I’m mistaken, it’s been a while since I looked at them.
Considering all of this, you could make a very strong case that American actions saved a great many lives by ending the war so swiftly. You could make a very strong case that those involved did the right thing (I would agree with you if you did). Again, without knowing their intentions and not having definitive criteria for condemning people to hell, it’s a very subjective thing.
Remember, we had barely developed the atomic bomb when it was first used in anger (I think it was only tested 2-3 times). We certainly didn’t understand the radiation and other ill-effects, and part of a mortal sin is awareness that it is a sin. I’m not saying it was a mortal sin; I’m saying if it was, the awareness likely wasn’t completely there.
The U.S. military estimated that the cost of a full-blown invasion of mainland Japan would have been in the ballpark of 3 million people. This only includes allied figures. I believe the human cost of the two atomic bombs was about 240,000 (80,000 at Hiroshima and 160,000 at Nagasaki).
Keep in mind that the Japanese were preparing to fight a mainland invasion to the very last man, woman, and child. They were teaching “civilians” how to make spears out of bamboo so that everyone would have a weapon. Everyone who could walk was to be used to defend the empire. I don’t know the population of Japan at the time, but you would have to factor that into the loss of life for a mainland invasion. Feel free to correct me on the numbers if I’m mistaken, it’s been a while since I looked at them.
Considering all of this, you could make a very strong case that American actions saved a great many lives by ending the war so swiftly. You could make a very strong case that those involved did the right thing (I would agree with you if you did). Again, without knowing their intentions and not having definitive criteria for condemning people to hell, it’s a very subjective thing.
Remember, we had barely developed the atomic bomb when it was first used in anger (I think it was only tested 2-3 times). We certainly didn’t understand the radiation and other ill-effects, and part of a mortal sin is awareness that it is a sin. I’m not saying it was a mortal sin; I’m saying if it was, the awareness likely wasn’t completely there.
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LilyM
Guest
Seriously, what IS with this obsession with opining on whether other people are in hell?
Firstly we’ll never know in this life - we canNOT read the minds or souls of other people to know whether they were in a state of mortal sin at death. Secondly - don’t you have enough to keep you occupied with just taking care of your own soul?
What possible earthly business of yours is it to speculate on whether these poor people are in hell, and what earthly good would it do you to know a) whether they are or b) whether other people think they are?
Are you planning on dropping a nuke on someone yourself soon and want to know whether it’s OK? Then ask ‘do you think it’s morally acceptable’. Are you planning on a rescue mission to get them out of hell if they are there? Umm … good luck if you are
Firstly we’ll never know in this life - we canNOT read the minds or souls of other people to know whether they were in a state of mortal sin at death. Secondly - don’t you have enough to keep you occupied with just taking care of your own soul?
What possible earthly business of yours is it to speculate on whether these poor people are in hell, and what earthly good would it do you to know a) whether they are or b) whether other people think they are?
Are you planning on dropping a nuke on someone yourself soon and want to know whether it’s OK? Then ask ‘do you think it’s morally acceptable’. Are you planning on a rescue mission to get them out of hell if they are there? Umm … good luck if you are
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ohioszo
Guest
I wouldn’t mind supporting the poster to the extent that the decision to use the bombs is made by a human. It can be traced back to our Presidents. Further, you can trace the making of bombs to them, and to congress. I think that you can find something about what each President thought about his power, and even what some of the scientists and makers of bombs think … after the fact. There is another kind of bomb that maims and kills long after the war is over … buried and sunk bombs. Further, there is chemical and biological warfare. I’ve just read The Unfinished Life about JFK, and how he made a huge effort to stop the nuclear warhead buildup. Read about it, and find out about what people do to prevent the use of these modern weapons. Even the latest president used high tech weapons, but, the fallout of war, the disintegration of society because of a list of reasons, lawlessness, murderers let loose, lack of utilities … etc. War is just a very bad thing. My Father, who I mentioned, is anti-war, BTW. JPII was against the war. Even with a just war, war is very bad. Read books about how America meddles in other countries without every knowing what the outcome will be in years to come! Saddam Hussein was the outcome of our foreign relations, and, America wanted him gone generally, through Bush’ War. It is too complicated to speak of here. Everyone agrees that nuclear war will mean mutual destruction in any future use. I think we all wonder about the power of the President. JFK made a mistake in that Cuban Invasion. And then they would talk about assassination. Also Vietnam, letting any of our countrymen there to supposedly train the Vietnamese. These are some reasons that military leaders need to be very faithfilled men, or, controlled by a good government. Many people would argue that we should be turning weapons into plows. JFK did start the Peace Corps. How much was done in the positive way that God desires. God seems to be on the side of Christians. Christians need to be very responsible in matters such as foreign relations. I realize that there are two sides to the Muslim countries question and terrorism. It is certainly cogent on us to listen to both from good representatives. Violence is wrong.
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DixitDominus
Guest
'“Every act of war directed to the indiscriminate destruction of whole cities or vast areas with their inhabitants is a crime against God and man, which merits firm and unequivocal condemnation.” A danger of modern warfare is that it provides the opportunity to those who possess modern scientific weapons especially atomic, biological, or chemical weapons - to commit such crimes.'CCC (2314)
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were gravely sinful.
The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were gravely sinful.
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CWBetts
Guest
Because the act was gravely sinful does not guarentee those who did it are in hell. We do not know the conditions of their souls at their deaths
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coco2
Guest
Is not war a punishment for sin? Isn’t that what Mary said during an apparition?
I am not saying that Japan had to be punished, but the entire world was punished and suffered. I think the soldiers who dropped the bomb were following orders and didn’t really know what these bombs would do and the mass destruction it caused. I think the military leaders were trying to protect their men and the people of their countries, and so on and so forth. I always wondered about battles and soldiers on both sides praying for their safety and their cause. The thousands of prayers to God and everyone praying for the same things…
War IS hell.
I am not saying that Japan had to be punished, but the entire world was punished and suffered. I think the soldiers who dropped the bomb were following orders and didn’t really know what these bombs would do and the mass destruction it caused. I think the military leaders were trying to protect their men and the people of their countries, and so on and so forth. I always wondered about battles and soldiers on both sides praying for their safety and their cause. The thousands of prayers to God and everyone praying for the same things…
War IS hell.
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lizaanne
Guest
What does my opinion, or anyone’s opinion, matter? We should not even HAVE an opinion on such a thing.
I have to ask the same question - I don’t have an opinion about the state of anyone’s soul - and neither should anyone else. I fail to see the point of this thread.
So what is your point with this comment? Are you implying that because you deem the bombings to be gravely sinful according to the CCC that these people are in hell? What conclusion are you trying to draw with posting a quote from the CCC as well as your comments? Please - enlighten us all on what you mean by this?
Exactly. And to even speculate - to even BRING IT UP - is totally and completely inappropriate. And I though it was against forum rules as well.
~Liza
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The_Chicken
Guest
The question that I think that would be a good one here is if the bombs were really necessary…I strongly believe that it was just a display of power and that millions of people died just because of the thirst for power of some men. Just my opinion. We can make this interesting.
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lizaanne
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CatsAndDogs
Guest
No.
They will go to hell if they die in mortal sin. Just like all the rest of humanity.
:shamrock2:
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jfhh
Guest
Maybe so, but would you agree that the bombers there should nevertheless be honored for their service including their service in those two bombings?
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RevDrNorth
Guest
I think you are correct. The condition of those men’s souls and the complicated issues involved in the act and so on are not things we have answers to nor should we presume to have the answers.
The question of war and the complicated factors surrounding it have plagued theologians for centuries. Wars occur and defense is necessary to prevent greater evil. The ethical conduct of something that is horrific is why we are faced with these questions as human beings in terms of the Nuremberg trials, the War Crimes Tribunal at the Hague, issues in the Iraq war. Human beings try to muddle through the ethical and legal issues. The issue of the soul is in another realm.
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Mike_Dye
Guest
If you don’t want to be blown to smitherines don’t, without provocation, bomb Pearl Harbor. The same thing applies to the Twin Towers.
The answer to this question, as well as the plethora of any other such questions is always the same. We don’t know. And it should stay that way.
Those men lived many years after they dropped the bombs (Col., later Gen. Tibbets died in 2007, only one year ago). It’s hardly appropriate to even speculate over the state of their souls.
Those men lived many years after they dropped the bombs (Col., later Gen. Tibbets died in 2007, only one year ago). It’s hardly appropriate to even speculate over the state of their souls.
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LaLucia
Guest
A long time ago I did read that the man who created the atomic bomb was truly sorry.
I also read that the Americans who made the decision to bomb Hiroshima were truly sorry after it happened because they saw the devestation it created and the after effects that were lasting on the people in Hiroshima.
I think sometimes people think they are making the right decision and later regret what they did. I am sure if they were Catholics they went confession to confess how sorry they felt and their sins were forgiven. We do have a forgiving God who forgives us for our sins. That is what give me hope that I will get to heaven.
We cannot tell who is in heaven and who is in hell because it has to do with what God’s Judgement will be on each one of us.
I also read that the Americans who made the decision to bomb Hiroshima were truly sorry after it happened because they saw the devestation it created and the after effects that were lasting on the people in Hiroshima.
I think sometimes people think they are making the right decision and later regret what they did. I am sure if they were Catholics they went confession to confess how sorry they felt and their sins were forgiven. We do have a forgiving God who forgives us for our sins. That is what give me hope that I will get to heaven.
We cannot tell who is in heaven and who is in hell because it has to do with what God’s Judgement will be on each one of us.
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