In war, is it worse to kill the enemy or to allow a comrade to be killed?

[desi]

I was watching the Saving Private Ryan movie and was wondering about the part where the US soldier is a coward and allows the German soldier to kill one of his comrades. He later kills the German soldier.

Generally speaking, which is worse killing the enemy or allowing the enemy to kill a comrade?

 

[mpok1519]

I was watching the Saving Private Ryan movie and was wondering about the part where the US soldier is a coward and allows the German soldier to kill one of his comrades. He later kills the German soldier.

Generally speaking, which is worse killing the enemy or allowing the enemy to kill a comrade?

war is wrong

 

[Jazer]

Generally speaking, which is worse killing the enemy or allowing the enemy to kill a comrade?

If your in a war then you should do the job your there to do. If you do not think you can do your job then you should not be there in the war. You should sign up for civil service duty instead.

 

[Jazer]

war is wrong

The third day is coming soon.


3 And many people shall go and say, Come you, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 

[Beechwell]

I'd say it is always better (nobler if you will) so save a life, than to take one. That doesn't change in war, even if in war the taking life part is a necessary evil.

 

[Jazer]

I'd say it is always better (nobler if you will) so save a life, than to take one. That doesn't change in war, even if in war the taking life part is a necessary evil.

Perhaps but David was not able to build the temple. Even though that was were he wanted to be the most.

Psalm 84:10(NIV) 10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.


[FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]22:6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for the LORD God of Israel.
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]22:7 And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God: [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Geneva, Helvetica]22:8 But the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight. [/FONT]

 

[Insane_Duck]

I was watching the Saving Private Ryan movie and was wondering about the part where the US soldier is a coward and allows the German soldier to kill one of his comrades. He later kills the German soldier.

Generally speaking, which is worse killing the enemy or allowing the enemy to kill a comrade?

In the big picture, I would say that it depends who is fighting the war for unjust reasons. (i.e. resource acquisition, land, ethnic reasons vs. legitimate defense of one's nation) And even then both sides often are in the wrong in that sense.

That being said in most circumstances I can't say that there would be any personal moral reprehensibility. (again depending on the circumstances)

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

I was watching the Saving Private Ryan movie and was wondering about the part where the US soldier is a coward and allows the German soldier to kill one of his comrades. He later kills the German soldier.

Generally speaking, which is worse killing the enemy or allowing the enemy to kill a comrade?

Depends on the persepective. As a combat vet it is worse to allow a buddy to be killed. As a Christian it is worse to kill the enemy.

 

[quatona]

Generally speaking, which is worse killing the enemy or allowing the enemy to kill a comrade?

I tend to think that doing something is more significant than allowing something. Since I don´t believe in "us vs. them" ideologies I think the first is worse.

 

[quatona]

Depends on the persepective. As a combat vet it is worse to allow a buddy to be killed. As a Christian it is worse to kill the enemy.

...and as a Christian combat vet?

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

...and as a Christian combat vet?

Had I been a Christian at the time I never would have went to war.

 

[quatona]

Had I been a Christian at the time I never would have went to war.

I see.
Interestingly, here´s an atheist who would never go to war, either.

 

[desi]

I see.
Interestingly, here´s an atheist who would never go to war, either.

What if the war came to you? Chickens have been known to come home to roost eventually.

 

[Xenocide]

In war it is worse to allow a comrade to get killed because that makes you weak and a coward

 

[RealDealNeverstop]

What if the war came to you? Chickens have been known to come home to roost eventually.

I would take a bullet to the head with no complaint. What goes around...really goes around.

 

[quatona]

What if the war came to you?

Well, then it would be here. What to it?

 

[desi]

I would take a bullet to the head with no complaint. What goes around...really goes around.

Would you stand by and let your friend or wife or mother or kindergarten teacher take the bullet?