Just War Theory and Our Time

[HailHolyQueen90]

During our time, have recent wars been ok regarding the Just War Theory?

Was the Vietnam war alright? Was the Iraq war alright?

What about future wars… Would an invasion of North Korea be alright in the case of liberating it’s people? Would a war with Iran be alright?

I would love to hear some opinions. Thanks!

P.S.- By alright I mean in line with the Just War Theory.

 

[Philomeena]

Someone else will have to answer about the Vietnam War but I remember a letter from the USCCB stating the Roman Catholic Church did not support the Iraq War.

 

[GEddie]

I am a pacifist and do not believe that the JWT can be upheld in modern conditions.

But on the basis of it’s provisions, I’d say that none of the examples you raise would meet them. Invading another country to “free it’s people” from their own government would cause more evil than it cured. Going after the Iranians would be wrong now because peaceful means (via diplomacy) to solve the situation have not been exhausted. Etc.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Rhuarc]

It doesn’t matter whether the war is “Just” or not, if that country has not declared war on us and is not attacking US citizens or invading upon US soil then we have no business sending troops to their country and tearing stuff up. Period, end of story. Other countries can and should handle their own problems, the US is not and never will be the policemen of the world.

 

[karaleigh]

During our time, have recent wars been ok regarding the Just War Theory?

Was the Vietnam war alright? Was the Iraq war alright?

What about future wars… Would an invasion of North Korea be alright in the case of liberating it’s people? Would a war with Iran be alright?

I would love to hear some opinions. Thanks!

P.S.- By alright I mean in line with the Just War Theory.

Justinian - “As a Christian Roman emperor, Justinian considered it his divine duty to restore the Roman Empire to its ancient boundaries.”

Videos about Justinian I explains his era’s as a possible parallel to the losses of Catholic Christians today. Massive secularism has taken its toll on today’s Christianity, the Catholic Church suffering as much as the others with fewer and fewer believers in the Mass participation. The miss labeling of priests, along with’ the labeling’ has caused millions of dollars in losses that are greatly needed. HHS has taken its bites out of the Holy Roman Church as well. While, one miss-translation of the copyright version of the Holy Bible has added unnecessary confusion to all of the above. We very well may be living in the ‘cause’ days of a Just War Theory in the ‘tomorrow’.

Lastly, Dictionary.com’s Etymonline(word orgin) for… Benediction is…early 15c., from L. benedictionem (nom. benedictio), noun of action from benedictus, pp. of benedicere “to speak well of, bless,” from bene “well” (see bene-) + dicere “to speak” (see diction). The oldest sense in English is of grace before meat.
All blessings to Pope Benedict XVI!

 

[Brendan]

I am a pacifist and do not believe that the JWT can be upheld in modern conditions.

But on the basis of it’s provisions, I’d say that none of the examples you raise would meet them. Invading another country to “free it’s people” from their own government would cause more evil than it cured. Going after the Iranians would be wrong now because peaceful means (via diplomacy) to solve the situation have not been exhausted. Etc.

ICXC NIKA

But Vietnam was not an invasion, it was the defense of South Vietnam from North Vietnam. US troops were there at the request of the government of S. Vietnam.

It that, it would be little different from the Britsh efforts to assist France in opposing the German invasion.

 

[Armyvet007]

Vietnam- Not enough info on my part to even make a guess

Iraq- Strategic level [why it took place, major aims]- no; Tactical level [the way it was fought]- yes

N Korea- I would say yes if it was for the liberation/safety of the N Korean populace and fought in a similar manner to Iraq.

Rhuac- The US has been the “world policeman” since at least the end of WW2. As for isolationism, I would argue that it runs counter to Catholic teachings. Just because evil occurs outside one’s national borders does not mean one can ignore it.

Geddie- Staying within the restrictions of Just Warfare as set down by the Church is actually easier today then it was in the past; and as military science and technology advance it will be even easier in the future.

 

[tafan]

Vietnam - most definitely was a just war
Iraq I - I am undecided
Iraq II - as much as I admire George W Bush, it seems to fail to meet the criteria gor a just war

 

[GEddie]

Vietnam - most definitely was a just war
Iraq I - I am undecided
Iraq II - as much as I admire George W Bush, it seems to fail to meet the criteria gor a just war

In judging Iraq 2, one needs to consider not the knowledge we have now but what was known at it’s onset. By the knowledge base of that time, it would have been at least as “just” as Iraq 1.

Having faulty intelligence is something the concoctors of the JWT never took into account.

ICXC NIKA

 

[tafan]

In judging Iraq 2, one needs to consider not the knowledge we have now but what was known at it’s onset. By the knowledge base of that time, it would have been at least as “just” as Iraq 1.

Having faulty intelligence is something the concoctors of the JWT never took into account.

ICXC NIKA

I would disagree.