(But we know from scripture, that IT IS possible to be in civil government and be a Christian) I did not deny this proposition. (thomb, 7:37am)
You have by implication, you can’t join a uniformed service or armed force and then later say “I can’t do this” They have oaths to perform the duties of their position. Of course you have the ability to make a personal choice in a situation, but there is no situation in armed forces where you don’t shoot ‘because’ you’re a pacifist.
“… how would I know whether I have merely killed someone or whether I have murdered someone?” (thomb, 7:37am)
I'm asking your opinion about the criteria by which a Christian should decide whether any given instance of the taking if the life another is, or is not, a murder. (thomb, 10:32am)
I would think the answer is: one person is the aggressor, and the other the defendant or victim.
God calls us to discern between right and wrong, one is right, the other is wrong.
“So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9)
Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart is My law’ (Isaiah 51:7)
But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil’ (Hebrews 5:13)
how can a soldier obey Jesus and perform his duties? (Schoel)
“… like any job, we want to do our job with all our might and be the best. Still in the military you can be an influence for: good moral, strong courage, discipline, wisdom, camaraderie, friendship, and prayer with other soldiers” Do what influences the best outcome, if you are an officer you try and minimize casualties on either side with Godly wisdom well planned strategy, good soldiers always try to ‘minimize’ killing and or destruction (it can cause more effort, loss and problems), you ‘try’ to take prisoners, but this is not always possible, and sometimes impossible in war.
Has the military in the USA become an idol, usurping the place of God in many people's hearts? (Schoel)
I can’t say I have seen such a thing, but I understand what your saying. I know of guys in military who make it their life, some who take it way over the top, but that’s not the norm. If a Christian does so then he is not very Christ focused. Do Americans on the right idolize military? Good to ask ourselves that, but has any country? In the USA our military can ‘symbolically’ stand for freedom. But idolize is different than a symbol or belief, we believe the US symbolizes freedom (this does not mean 'everything' or anything the US or its politics do symbolize or manifest real freedom). In fact this is why so much emphasis is put on 'remembering' the patriotic symbolism, and historic origins of the US military, without such there would be no USA. A fly by of Air Force jets, or the passing of the flag 'remind us' the reason, respect and security armed forces have given us.
So JR, would you kill an aggressor without a qualm, in order to protect the innocent? But if it were illegal to do so, would you refrain from killing the aggressor without a qualm, and let him attack the innocent? (Paidion)
I wouldn’t say without a qualm, I have said as a 'last' resort.
I meant illegal to own a gun. If it were actually illegal to own a gun, then I would still own one.
If it were actually ‘illegal to kill in someone’s defense’ then I would disobey that law and hold to the higher law and a sense of right and wrong that tells me I have a right to defend myself and others from serious threats. and kill if necessary to stop a hostile person (has there ever been a country or a law ever, where it is illegal to defend yourself?)