Why do christians join the military?

Really? I thought Christians were instructed to be imitators of Christ. Assuming this to be true, then how about these verses?

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)

Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:39)

All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. (Matthew 26:52)

When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies...Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. (Luke 21:20-21)

Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. (Matthew 22:21) [To whom does the life of man belong? God, or Caesar?]

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. (Romans 12:17)

And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9) [Didn't Jesus willing lay down his life rather than defend it? Could he not call down thousands of angels to prevent his death, but he refused the temptation?]

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1) [Did the apostle Paul defend his life using a sword? Did any of Jesus' disciples?]

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:19)

Must I go on and on?




The choice to render the Hebrew "rtsh" as "murder" is only found in the modern translations. For hundreds of years, the English translations rendered the sixth commandment, "Thou shalt not kill." Keep in mind, the word "murder" is actually a legal term, and what constitutes murder varies from locality to locality.

I'd suggest that Anonymous Coward read chapter 31 of the book "Blood Guilt: Christian Responses to America's War on Terror" (see Amazon.com or New Covenant Press ( [link to covenant.nu] ). Chapter 31 is aptly titled "Thou Shalt Not What?" It has a very lengthy exposition of this question regarding the sixth commandment.

I hope this helps.

Because they have cool weapons with scriptures on them.

[link to www.cbn.com]

I thought that murder was wrong in the eyes of christians?

LOL, thanks for the responses. I am hoping that some devout Christian will try and give me some reason for this strange phenomenon. I really can not understand it.

I am anti religious (and pro spirituality) and I would never kill, or assist in killing, unless I was protecting myself or my loved ones.

genuine christians don't.

I thought that murder was wrong in the eyes of christians?

Why Not? Nothing in scripture precludes participation in the military.

Christions are the most violent folks there is.

all in the name of god

religion is a poison

Nah..christians LOVE murder.

Every time you disagree with them..in their hearts rises a self righteous loathing of you..a wishing of hell and death on you..and inside..deep down..they have already murdered you in their heart.

According to Jesus..its as GOOD as murder.

But some will join the military so they can put into practice what most of them only wish to do.

Its all about DOOM and DEATH with them.

Thay are OBSESSED with it.

Anytime there is doom they all have a doomgasm screaming.. "GREAT..all this DOOM and DEATH and MISERY means JESUS is coming back and we can get outta here like the COWARDS we are while all those SINNERS we wanted DEAD...FINALLY DIE..as they deserve...for DARING not to beleive us and out crazed blood obsessed rantings.

I thought that murder was wrong in the eyes of christians?

Even as a kid stuck in church I realized that the Christian goodness was a facade.

From the minister that reeked of last nights alcohol to the hypocrites that judged each other 6 days a week and pretended to like each other for a couple of hours on Sundays, to the do as I say not as I do laughable sermons coming from the pulpit. Oh and the money thing as well. Gotta pay to play.

I never understood the promotion of war through the singing of hymns.
If I could see this at age 8, what the heck was wrong with all the adults. Oh yeah, they were brainwashed.

I blame this hymn for the acceptance of war.

CHRISTIAN soldiers who kill under military orders do not commit murder, "Murder" is an "unlawful" killing. (look up any governments law on the definition of murder) Murder is not unlawful when the military orders it - unless of course the soldier is on the losing side, because the winning side will call it murder. Hmm, if think about that deep enough, it gives cause for concern on a number of points.

CHRISTIAN soldiers who kill under military orders do not commit murder, "Murder" is an "unlawful" killing. (look up any governments law on the definition of murder) Murder is not unlawful when the military orders it - unless of course the soldier is on the losing side, because the winning side will call it murder. Hmm, if think about that deep enough, it gives cause for concern on a number of points.

I thought that murder was wrong in the eyes of christians?