How do I explain effectively?

[David_Z]

Good Morning ,

A question came up in confirmation class last week and i need some help. The question is if killing is wrong  does that mean if you kill some one during military battle is that justifyable and what is the difference .

Thanks

David Z

 

[DPMartin]

David Z

That’s a tough one, considering that King David was a man after God’s own heart but yet there is no doubt that he was a man of war. Or even Abraham who went to battle when Lot was captured with the rest. Not even to mention the Children of Israel crossing the Jordan and establishing their presence in the Promised Land.

But we are to live not by might, not by power, but by Spirit. And Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s Will in mankind, to the Father’s Satifaction.

But does a nation have the right to defend it’s interest. And does one have the right to defend there own life, to live? Even animals have this right to live.

Are you upset that previous generations went to battle that you may receive that which you have today in the world? In the end justification is of God, not of man. We can only ask for God’s Mercy and Blessing in no matter what we do if we seek to do well. For no human activity justifies a man before God, only God justifies a man before God.

The simple truth that people kill people in the case of people is true for one can not control what is in one’s neighbor’s heart that he will seek to do.

Don’t know if that helps, but it may be were one can start from. In the Hope of giving in the terms that could be understood.

 

[Mumbles140]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church has some great explanations as to what constitutes a ‘just war’ and what actions are morally permissible for soldiers fighting in wars. I’d recommend starting there - you could even turn it into an assignment for the class to get them more familiar with the Catechism.

 

[1ke]

The question is if killing is wrong

The Church doesn’t teach *killing *is intrinsically evil. The Church teaches *murder *is an intrinsic evil, a mortal sin.

Murder is the **purposeful **killing of an innocent person.

The Church has exhaustive teaching on self defense, just war, death penalty etc.

You should have a catechism on every desk in class. If you don’t, go to your director of religious ed and ask for them.

 

[Barbkw]

“… if killing is wrong does that mean if you kill some one during military battle is that justifyable and what is the difference.”

It is morally just to kill another person or people who threaten your life, or the lives of your family or your country. However in our technological world, our country has to determine actionable threats and the degree of force needed to eliminate those threats.

In addition, diplomacy with peace is always necessary. Murderous intent begins in the mind and it must be determined first if these minds will listen to reason and agree to peaceful exchange of varying ideas.

In military service, all personel swear oaths to protect the U.S. from enemies both foreign and domestic. Individuals are consenting to the degree of protection the U.S. military is capable of providing and they’re consenting to the actions of the President and the Congress to declare war.

 

[Big_Dummy]

James 4 NIV

1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?[a] 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”**

7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

11 Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Matthew 5:21-25 (King James Version)

21Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

1 John 3:15
Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

The difference is motive. Murder is out of hate, killing in war is out of duty.**

 

[GratefulFred]

In addition to the Catholic Catechism and other Church writtings, one should remember that the US Military has a strong Chaplain Corps for all branches and a Bishop to oversee the Chaplains of various Faiths. So if military killing was inherently wrong in all circumstances, then there would be no Catholic Chaplains and we would know it would be a sin to serve in the military.

The US Military have “Rules of Engagement” to limit unwarranted killing. Thus I would think the guy on the battle line is within moral boundaries.