Military

[Souldier4Christ]

Im retired United States Air Force.
Served 22 years.

Was in a conversation with a Jehova Witness, when they told me that I was a servant of Satan for having served in the military. The individual quoted Jesus with: “Love thy enemy” ; “Turn the other Cheek” ; and “He who lives by the sword…dies by the sword”.

I had no response

Any help?

God Bless,
-Larry

 

[Chris_C]

Larry

You should tell him you used F-15’s not swords! It’s so much hooey, I’m afraid. Elsewhere Christ counsels the purchase of swords, to say nothing of the God of the Old Testament constantly intervening on behalf of the Isrealites. John the Baptist tells soldiers not to be bullies and to be content with their pay. He doesn’t tell them their work is evil.

Chris C.
0802/USMC 87-94

 

[BrianDay]

Also refer to Luke Chapter 7 and the story of the centurion whose slave was ill. Rather than rebuking this military man, Jesus remarks on his great faith.

If the military was evil, wouldn’t Jesus say something?

 

[Calvin]

Souldier4Christ:

Im retired United States Air Force.
Served 22 years.

Was in a conversation with a Jehova Witness, when they told me that I was a servant of Satan for having served in the military. The individual quoted Jesus with: “Love thy enemy” ; “Turn the other Cheek” ; and “He who lives by the sword…dies by the sword”.

I had no response

Any help?

God Bless,
-Larry

Matthew 8.

The centurion (a military officer) was praised by Jesus: “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel have I found such faith.” (8:11, NAB) He is also promised: “I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven…” (8:12)

Sounds like Jesus didn’t think the centurion was a servant of Satan! He is praised for his faith and told he will be at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven by the Son of God Himself, what more could a man ask for?!

-C

P.S. Thank you for your service to our country.

(Cross post with BrianDay)

 

[Richard_Lamb]

Souldier4Christ:

Im retired United States Air Force.
Served 22 years.

Was in a conversation with a Jehova Witness, when they told me that I was a servant of Satan for having served in the military. The individual quoted Jesus with: “Love thy enemy” ; “Turn the other Cheek” ; and “He who lives by the sword…dies by the sword”.

I had no response

Any help?

God Bless,
-Larry

Tell then that wee it not for the rights gained by soldiers their sect would never had come itno excistence since their sect was born and raised in the U.S.

 

[otm]

I wouldn’t get too excited about going at it with them; they have a tendency not to listen, and if the answer doesn’t suit them, they just move on to another topic.

If, however, you wish to persue a conversation with one, Catholic Answers has some good resources.

 

[maggiec]

Souldier4Christ:

Im retired United States Air Force.
Served 22 years.

I Any help?

God Bless,
-Larry

++
There are times when war is just. Many instances in the bible, such as when God parted the red sea, of course there wasn’t much of a fight then!
My husband is also retired from the air force after 20 years.
God bless
maggiec

 

[Servulus]

From the Gospel of John, Chapter 2:
“15 He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of
the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins
of the money-changers and overturned their tables . . .”

Sounds pretty forceful to me. Did He not love them? Of course He did, as He loves all of us. Did He take action to stop them from doing what they ought not? Yes, and quite forcefully.

 

[mrS4ntA]

And what about those battles the Israelites had to fight against the Palestinians? And what about the fights to gain the Promised Land, and to protect it??