Are Soldiers Breaking the Ten Commandments When They Kill in War?
Posted: Friday, July 31, 2009
by Sandra E. Graham
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The Bible is filled with stories of war, so it seems that times haven't changed much since before and after the birth of Christ. On the one hand, we are told ‘thou shalt not kill' and on the other we are told to ‘obey the laws of man'. So how does a Christian soldier know what to do when he is faced with a for-real battle for his own life?
The Bible also tells us in Jeremiah 28:8 and in Matthew 24:6-7 that, "From early times the prophets who preceded you and me have prophesied war, disaster and plague against many countries and great kingdoms." And "You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom."
Throughout the Bible there are stories of war and even times when God appeared to men, instructing them to fight battles in which He insured their victory. The Bible even tells us that wars were fought in Heaven. Revelation 12:7 tells us that, "And there was war in Heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back." I believe this shows us that many wars are based on the struggle between good and evil. There are countries that have leaders who would use war as a front for achieving their own special interests-greed, power. Our own country is no exception. The Christian soldier should search his own heart and through prayer, be persuaded that his nation's convictions are concordant with his own.
Back to the question, "Do soldiers break the sixth Commandment when they kill in battle?" I think not. Not when they are fighting against armed foe. Not when they are fighting for the freedom of a country and its people. Although God does not interfere with the plans of man, I believe He has His own plan and one day it will come to fruition and there will be ‘war no more'.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)Sandra,Great article and I agree with you. Thou shalt not kill does indeed mean Thou shalt not murder.Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this one.NancyThank you, Nancy for reading and commenting. Have a wonderful day and God be with you.SandraI came to get inspirational advice to give to a christian friend of mine about why his soldier friends will not be going to hell. While I did enjoy the article and agree that soldiers should not go to hell, i don't necessarily agree that they will not.
"and I agree with you. Thou shalt not kill does indeed mean Thou shalt not murder." I was unaware that when god had the bible written that he consulted Nancy Daniels on the meaning of "kill". This statement while meaning well, indicates either one of two options. That A: god had it written incorrectly or B: it was translated incorrectly. Either one means that your infallible god made a fallacy in allowing it to persist in the form of kill not murder and misleading individuals such as myself while attempting to understand your beliefs.
A second thing I cannot understand is that the article itself says "There are countries that have leaders who would use war as a front for achieving their own special interests-greed, power." and that the soldier should "Christian soldier should search his own heart and through prayer..." So the soldiers now dictate to god what his divine plan is? And what about WW2 where the German and American soldiers each wore crosses around their necks. They both prayed and decided it was gods will and killed each other? Gods will was for thousands to die needlessly? He could have answered both forces with an astounding "no" and saved time, money, and the lives of the children he "loves". And if you think that if the soldier believes its truly the right thing to do then he will not go to hell, what if I told you that I was a soldier? And I believe that when god said "Dont worship false idols" he meant kill all Muslims. In my heart i know its true so i go to heaven even if i kill children just for being Muslim?
And Sandra makes the statement that the answer to the question will soldiers go to hell? "I think not. Not when they are fighting against armed foe." So gods intention is that you can kill anyone who is armed? what defines armed? they are holding car keys, or have a purse they can bludgeon you to death with, can you kill them? I was at the store last night and a man wearing hunting cammo with a knife on his side walked in, could i have killed him for being unfashionable and god would be okay with it because he had arms? I know these examples are ridiculous but my point is where is the clarification. How can someone live their entire life based around beliefs with multiple interpretations. If you can decide what god meant then why cant I? "Though shalt not steal." God only meant that to be about asses. You can take things just not peoples donkeys.
According to this article it seems to me that god is fine with war if he is the one that okays it or initiates it. Like a child that will let you play with his toys but only if he says you can.
This article did not clarify for me with evidence that god allows soldiers to kill without repercussion but it did clarify that gods intentions and divine plan are up for interpretation and I can make them mean whatever I want, just as the author and other posters have done.
This comment is not meant to be mean or condescending, but I do have questions about the unwavering faith that you hold. I am NOT questioning it, nor am I asking you to lose faith but if you have an answer I am hoping you will leave it here instead of just removing or scrambling this post. I know you believe in your answer and I want too as well, my question is why?
Very good Article. I wil try to make this brief, however, it requires a discerned knowledge of the Bible to understand. I am not that knowledgeable but, I think you are looking for a word called, "SIN." The Ten Commandments are embedded in stone to keep us in rememberance. Remember, even our forefathers used the Ten Commandments as a guideline because God was the ultimate authority. How do you think they made laws they themselves could not adhere to? Sin to remove the Ten Commandments, as well as the Bible. But, there is one place they will not be removed from because there is a remnant of good in this GARDEN:As you walk up the steps to the building which houses the U.S Supreme Court
you can see near the top of the building a row of the world's law givers and each one is facing one in the middle who is facing forward with a full frontal view ... It is Moses and he is holding the "Ten Commandments!" So again your question is a good one, but SIN is what you are looking for. If, If, we could sit and talk to our parents of the past...I am sure they could explain it better than I.And so very well put for someone who says he isn't well versed in the Bible. I commend your comments, Dr. Clarence. Thank you so much for reading and commenting.Sandra
Great article. Well done.The problem I find with religion is there is so many contradicting messages.
Once upon a time the popes called crusades and inquisitions and now they make anti-war campaigners and humanitarians saints?
I would say taking the ten commandments on there own, they are. However the bible collectively..? Well let's just say I'm confused.
You're right, Connor. So much of the Bible, like most things, can be very open to interpretation. What one person sees can be very different from what someone else sees. Thanks for reading and commenting. And have a wonderful week.Sandra
Well done. Moses did his share of killing during the Exodus, as did Joshua. And yet, they were messengers from God. I don't know if Thou Shall Not Kill means in any circumstances or rather, only in the absence of war.War, as we know, changes everything - including the rules. Consequently, a soldier killing an enemy in war can (should?) be looked at in a different light than the armed robber killing a bank teller, or the serial killer murdering some random person.Anyway, lots to think about. Thanks for writing this.Thank you, Michael, for your comments. I agree--war changes many things. But the Bible tells us that we can be forgiven for all sins; even murder, if we repent and are truly sorryful for what we have done. And I certainly don't think most soldiers enjoy killing.Have a good week.Sandra
hi miss sandra.i think you explained this topic beautifully.i'm especially interested in this theory since my son is in the air force, and my daughter is going into the army october 20th. i am hopeful that they can go through bootcamp, go through their vo tech programs, get an education, and come out, proud, respectful and determined, and be able to support themselves. however, if the need arises, and they have to go into combat, that's a whole other story for me. not only do i worry about their safety, but i am even more worried about their mental health for the rest of their lives, especially if killing other human beings is part of their duties.this is a day and age in which if you can't afford college, you can't afford to live on your own, and the military always has a recruiter around every corner!my kids are a mere 22 and 23, and yet, they will fight for their country if they have to, just so they can live on the outside world. a sad state of affairs. it's going to be a long 6 years.my best regards,sueIt is a sad world, Sue, when our boys and girls have to go into the service to make a living and get an education. College education should be like grade school and high school--free to all children. Educating our children should be our first priority.They should never be forced to go to war and put their lives on the line--it should always be a choice.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
Good article, Sandra! This is an age old question and you handled it well.Thank you, Lorrie--I just hope my feelings on this subject are right. I would not like to think that our servicemen are laying down their lives and giving up the opportunity to be allowed into Heaven for being forced to take the life of another. War is a horrible way to settle a dispute, don't you think?Sandra
You did well with the explanation, Sandra. I've never really taken much thought about the scripture in Revelations until now. Even God had to fight His battles.It would take a God to shoulder all the burdens of mankind--and a very forgiving God at that. I pray a lot because I want to be good enough, but know that is a human impossibility. Thanks for reading and commenting, David.Sandra
I agree with you wholeheartedly, Sandra. What an excellent way to address this sensitive issue.Thank you, Gwen for reading and commenting--and welcome to searchwarp.Sandra
thank you i've been thinking about joining the usaf (airforce) but im christian soi didn't want to break one of the 10 commandments ya know what i mean.
I am planning on enlisting into the army and I dont want to break any laws of god this article helped a bunch but only when we pass will we know of right and wrong of what we do who really knows what it means.
Kevin
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