Serving in the Military

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ENSJablo

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Hey Folks,

I have a question for all members here. Is it possible for a pious and believing Christian to serve in the military of a secular state? I am a resident of the United States and a current member of the United States Navy and I have been looking into Just War Theory and things of that nature, but I have come across those who follow the doctrine of Christian Pacifism. Some of the quotes I have come across are as blunt as this one by Hippolytus:

“A military constable must be forbidden to kill, neither may he swear; if he is not willing to follow these instructions, he must be rejected by the community. A procounsul or magistrate who wears the purple and governs by the sword shall give it up or be rejected. Anyone taking or already baptized who wants to become a soldier shall be sent away, for he has despised God.“

Or others like this one from Origen:

“You can not demand military service of Christians any more than you can of priests. We do not go forth as soldiers.”

Finally, Tertullian said this:

“The divine banner and the human banner do not go together, nor the standard of Christ and the standard of the devil. Only without the sword can the Christian wage war: for the Lord has abolished the sword.”

Other thinkers such as Augustine thought in the ways of Plato and Cicero and helped develop the Just War Theory principle that states Christians may use violence in certain circumstances. I am also drawn to Romans 13, where St. Paul writes about submission to authorities and God using violence against those who oppose his will. “For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer (Romans 13:4, NIV).” Am I taking this verse out of context? Is the “he” that is referenced in that verse a supernatural entity…not a man?

I’m just looking for some answers on this issue…I am far from versed in this matter and many others, so I figured I would ask some other Christians or even members of the clergy what their thoughts are. Thoughts?
 
ensJablo:Not quite sure what you meant by secular state.Give me a religious state.Yes Christians (maybe not all christian denominations )may serve in military.There are chaplains of both Catholic and protestant denominations in all branches of the service.
 
Yes, a person can serve in the Military Service of a Secular State. The Catholic Church has taught for centuries that this is not only allowable, but in some cases it would be expected.

This however does not mean that you are excused from sin if you perform immoral or illicit acts. As an example, you may not shoot unarmed persons, even if ordered to do so. You may not rape, steal pillage, torture or perform other actions that are unlawful, sinful or morally repugnant.

If pious men could not serve in the Armed Forces, there could be no Catholic Chaplains serving either.

Having served in the Armed Forces, even for a very extended period of time, is also no bar to becoming a Priest or a Religious. I personally know several Priests that served, including at least three that retired from the military with over 20 years of active duty service BEFORE they entered seminary. I also know a number of Deacons that are retired military.

I know Dominicans, Franciscans, Trappists, Fathers of mercy, and members of several other orders that served in the Armed Forces (all branches). I even know two Nuns that are retired enlisted personnel.

You can carry your scrupulosity too far in questioning everything.
 
ENSJablo said:
Hey Folks,

I have a question for all members here. Is it possible for a pious and believing Christian to serve in the military of a secular state? I am a resident of the United States and a current member of the United States Navy and I have been looking into Just War Theory and things of that nature, but I have come across those who follow the doctrine of Christian Pacifism. …I’m just looking for some answers on this issue…I am far from versed in this matter and many others, so I figured I would ask some other Christians or even members of the clergy what their thoughts are. Thoughts?
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Dear friend in Jesus Christ, you are a soldier. The best advice you can get is already given by John the Baptist; see Luke’s Gospel:

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (Luke 3:14)

John the Baptist did not advise them to quit their job.
 
If “ENSJablo” indicates that you are an Ensign in the US Navy, please serve your American families proudly and with honor. Your service allows all of us the opportunity to live, speak, pray, love and care for ourselves and our families.

You are serving in a leadership position, to show the enlisted and non-coms serving under your direction how to be a genuine leader, and how to respect others, by respecting all your men, both above and beneath your rank. Remember the Good Samaritan… even people you are expected to hate are deserving of your respect.

No civilized person enjoys doing harm to an enemy, but no real, caring citizen would allow harm to come to his friends, neighbors or family by shrinking from their defense. Sir, BE that citizen and officer!
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
(USN Alum)
 
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