Can a catholic justify joining the army?

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Recently, I've been considering joining the military. My reasons for this are varried, but mostly revolve around my absolute boredom with civilian life. I'm a catholic, and i go to church regualry. I'm at a major crossroads in my life I have a great need for adventure. I also want to become more of man, become strong, and a warrior. I can't find this in civilian life. If i was to join the military i would want to take the most physically difficult and perhaps dangerous job there is.

Would i be leaving the table of jesus if i did this?

Jesus said that those who take up the sword die by it. If i don't have a problem dying by the sword should i still worry that i won't go to heaven?

If someone shoots at me and i shot back and kill them will i burn in hell?

-- Kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com), August 18, 2003

Answers

Follow your heart and follow the word of God. There is nothing wrong with joining the army BUT there are a few things you need to care about.

The best example to prove about catholic soldiers, is St Joan of Arc herself, who was a soldier and who is a saint who was killed by the then English corrupt catholics who accused her of being a heretic. She fought for the freedom of her country from evil invaders, and for the sake of her King and to protect him. She did not want to invade, nor would let her nation do so. God guided her all the way.

I am not familiar with military procedures across the world, but if you are asked to even "temporarily" take away your faith, they are asking something wrong. You have the duty to obey your superiors, but something more important as a catholic - if you are ordered to do something against our faith and the word of God, be brave and hold on to your faith instead of putting men above God and their words and laws about His.

A good catholic can be a good soldier, as long as he remembers to follow God's words and to live in his faith. If you are ordered to do something bad, which is against our faith, remember that the most superior of all has given you his own commands, so you know what to do. Follow your heart and follow your faith. Nothing will go wrong and God will guide you and protect you. Never put anything above an innocent human life and God's laws - whether it is a piece of land or a man made law or your superior's commands.

Think about St Joan of Arc and St George, who were good soldiers who held on to their faith. You can also see Jesus being pleased with a soldier in the new testament, whose servant became sick and asked to him to cure.

Whether catholic or not, as long as the good will is in each soldier, to see life above land, and moral values above human laws, they are on the right track and they are the soldiers of God. If they value land and laws more than the faith and the teachings that we know, they are just the opposite, and rightfully deserve the title soldiers of satan.

Becoming a warrior is a good decision, but make sure you do it the right way. Jesus said those who take up the sword die by it - but that was not meant for soldiers, as we can see from the examples of St Joan and St George. From what I understand, Jesus scolded peter because Peter was acting out of rage, and forgot that he was trying to defend "God", ie if you join the military to see some violence, it is a very bad thing. As long as you NEVER forget the words of God, God will be with you.

If you are asked to set aside your faith, by all means refrain from joining the military because regardless of the reason, people have died cruel deaths than to refrain from their faith. So even if temporarily, it would be an insult to their faith, and we are cheating ourselves and insulting God. If your superiors command you to do something which is morally wrong, unappropriate and unnecessary, by all means leave right then.

If someone shoots at me and you shot back and kill htme you would not burn in hell. If you enjoy killing them, you know what would happen. If you act not out of hatred it is not a sin because it is your duty as a soldier. Remember to keep rage and hatred and the pleasure of killing out of your mind. If you are told to kill an innocent life no matter what the reason, it would be better for the soul to defend the innocent life than to do that, though I wouldn't be surprised to see none doing that. Patriotism is a very good thing, BUT remember that human life is more important than a piece of land. For example, if you are ordered to hurt or kill an innocent person for whatever reason, don't think twice. Just prove that you obey God more than them, even though as per human law you are supposed to obey whatever your superior officer commands you to do. Make sure to check the "fine print" and the pledges.

Make no doubt about it. Join the military and be a defender of your nation BUT never do anything that you should not do, and defend an innocent life regardless of colour or race. As long as God's commands have the highest priority in your mind, you will be blessed. Many saints have chosen that path. God first, everything else second.

-- Abraham T (lijothengil@yahoo.com), August 18, 2003.


Hi Kev

I dont know if the army will make you "more of a man", the measure of a man is not in his occupation or role. I find your wish to be a "warrior" a little unsettling, and hope you havent been watching too many movies but perhaps youre just very honest. In todays world men have become somewhat neutered in expressiong this most basic instinct: to defend what is ours, with brutal force when required.

My own father spent 32 years as an officer in the army mostly in the special forces (1stNZSAS) and I regret not being able to enlist as I got myself into a bit of trouble as a young man...

Abraham has answered your question very well, nothing unCatholic about serving in the armed forces. Good luck Kev.

Who Dares Wins!

-- Kiwi (csisherwood@hotmail.com), August 18, 2003.


kev, perhaps i can help out since i just got back from air force field training. first, if you are considering joining the military, the air force takes the best care of its people and is on the cutting edge of technology. furthermore, if you arent a pilot in the air force, the liklihood of your ever needing to 'shoot to kill' is VERY low, so that more or less eliminates your problem.

Recently, I've been considering joining the military. My reasons for this are varried, but mostly revolve around my absolute boredom with civilian life.

this could make things hard on you. basic training or field training (depending on if you are going officer or enlisted) are HARD. you have to be there because you want something and have a hunger for it. your faith will help you there too, so spend some time to remember God, even if its just as youre marching from point a to point b. but DONT go into the military only because you are bored, thats a surefire way to meet dissappointment.

I also want to become more of man, become strong, and a warrior. I can't find this in civilian life.

here you are wrong. the world is filled with warriors who will never pick up a weapon. george bush is a warrior, who sends us to battle and yet he is not military. niether is the secretary of defense. strong men, and warriors, are everywhere... they are your priests, they are your teachers, they are your parents. they are anyone who stands up for what is right, no matter the cost. they serve others without expecting reward and when they believe in something they will not quit and they will not fail. being in the military wont make you a warrior, it will show you the warrior that you were born to be.

If i was to join the military i would want to take the most physically difficult and perhaps dangerous job there is.

might i suggest the air force pararescue jumpers. perhaps the most physically demanding job, the pararescuers are not only trained and qualified in a massive arsenal of weapons, there primary mission is the recovery, treatment, and rescue of victims. they heal fallen comrades with one hand while holding off enemies with the M-16 in their other hand. not only one of the most dangerous jobs in the forces, the pararescue jumpers hold one of the most valiant missions, saving comrades from all different forces from death or capture. Would i be leaving the table of jesus[sic] if i did this?

first, you missed a capitalization (Jesus). second, no. it is not only an ability, but a duty for catholics to aide in a just war against an appropriate oponent.

If someone shoots at me and i shot back and kill them will i burn in hell?

no, if you let them kill you and fail in a just war then crimes against man and God will occur. there are times when killing is necessary, just as there are times when it is not allowable. you will be trained to know the difference, and your religion will be important even in the military. remember the last article of the code of conduct:

i will never forget that i am an american, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I WILL TRUST IN MY GOD, AND IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

trust God, and serve your country well. you will do fine.

-- paul (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), August 18, 2003.


Kev, you are one privileged man to have gotten such excellent advice (from Abraham, Kiwi, and paul).
[Guys, the Holy Spirit really helped you to speak eloquently here!]

God bless you.
John

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), August 18, 2003.


Well thanks for all your advice. I found it helpfull. I would be joining the canadian armed forces however, not the US. Canadians are mostly peace keepers and our army is small, but as a result we can be more selective and train our troups very well.

Thanks again. Kev

-- kev (magiccarpetride_@hotmail.com), August 18, 2003.



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